Shi Yan (Fossil Spirifer) (Flattened, bat-shaped, corrugated, bluish-grayish-brown, with a raised center, Ginkgo leaf-like texture, hard and difficult to break)
【Naming】
【Source】
Tang Materia Medica
【Frequency of Use】
E
【Botanical Origin】
It is the fossil of the brachiopod Cyrtiospirifer sinensis of the Spiriferidae family.
【Characteristics】
Slightly flattened, bat-shaped or corrugated, 2-3 cm long, 1.5-4 cm wide, surface bluish-gray to brownish-yellow, both sides with a raised center, possessing Ginkgo leaf-like textures. One side has a longitudinal groove in the raised center, one end thinner, expanding towards the other end, the thin end curving downwards like a bird’s beak; below it there is also a transverse groove connecting to both sides. The texture is as hard as stone, not easily broken; when broken, the fracture surface is bluish-gray or brown, or partly composed of white gravel aggregated into granules. Slight odor, bland taste.
The surface of calcined Shi Yan (Fossil Spirifer) has a layer of white glossy film, which is very easy to fall off; after removing this layer, it appears vermilion or brownish-red, the fracture surface is grayish-white and rough.
【Processing】
1. Raw Shi Yan (Fossil Spirifer) 2. Calcined Shi Yan (Fossil Spirifer)
【Identification】
Compendium of Materia Medica: “The best are those that grow in caves and are solidified like stone.”
Those with larger size and distinct morphology are considered superior.
【Category】
Minerals