Testudinis Carapax Et Plastrum
Aliases：Guī Bǎn (Tortoise Shell); Xià Jiǎ (Lower Shell); Xuè Bǎn (Blood-dried Shell); Tàng Bǎn (Scalded Shell); Wū Guī Ké (Tortoise Shell); Wū Guī Bǎn (Tortoise Shell); Yuán Wǔ Bǎn (Dark Warrior Shell); Tāng Bǎn (Decoction Shell); Shén Wū (Divine House); Guī Tǒng (Tortoise Cylinder); Guī Ké (Tortoise Shell); Guī Shàng Ké (Upper Tortoise Shell); Guī Xià Jiǎ (Lower Tortoise Shell); Bài Jiàng (Defeated General); Bài Guī Bǎn (Defeated Tortoise Shell); Bài Guī Jiǎ (Defeated Tortoise Shell); Wū Guī Jiǎ (Tortoise Shell); Shēng Guī Bǎn (Raw Tortoise Shell); Lòu Tiān Jī (Heaven's Secret Leak); Xuán Yī Dū Yóu (Dark Messenger); Guī Dǐ Jiǎ (Bottom Shell); Tuō Ní Bǎn (Mud-dragging Shell); Kǎn Bǎn (Pit Shell).
Guī Jiǎ (Tortoise Shell) is a Chinese medicinal substance. It is the carapace (dorsal shell) and plastron (ventral shell) of the tortoise Chinemys reevesii (Gray), an animal of the family Testudinidae.
Efficacy & Actions
Nourishes yin and suppresses yang, benefits the kidneys and strengthens bones, nourishes blood and tonifies the heart, and stabilizes menstruation to stop uterine bleeding.
Indications
Primarily used for yin deficiency with internal heat, bone-steaming with night sweats, persistent low fever in the late stage of febrile diseases, yin deficiency with consumptive cough, hemoptysis and epistaxis, dizziness due to liver yang rising, deficiency wind with internal movement, weak sinews and bones, fontanel non-closure, palpitations due to heart deficiency, insomnia and forgetfulness, metrorrhagia with excessive menstruation, and red and white leukorrhea, among other conditions.
Modern Pharmacology
Endocrine regulation: Reduces thyroid function. Immunomodulation: Enhances cellular and humoral immunity, lymphocyte transformation, and IgG production. Anti-osteoporosis and bone protection: Prevents osteoporosis and osteoarthritis; stimulates bone formation via Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Anti-atherosclerosis: Inhibits atherosclerotic plaque formation. Reproductive system: Promotes uterine contraction. CNS sedation: Prolongs pentobarbital sodium-induced sleep time. Antitumor: Inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation; improves postoperative recovery. Others: Reduces adrenal function, antimutagenic, regulates lipids, anti-hypoxia, replenishes blood, hemostatic, increases coronary flow, antibacterial, anti-aging.
Ingredients
Proteins: Content about 32%. Different varieties contain 22.06%–22.50%. Collagen: An important component of turtle shell, extraction rate about 4.38%–4.75%. Amino acids: Contains aspartic acid, threonine, methionine, phenylalanine, leucine, and others. Calcium carbonate: Content about 50%. Minerals: Rich in calcium (approx. 16004–16592 mg/100g) and phosphorus (approx. 6014–6188 mg/100g). Lipids: Contains myristic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, and other fatty acids.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, the standard dosage is 9–24g (or 10–30g). It should be crushed and decocted first (before adding other herbs). It may also be prepared as a paste, or in pills or powder. Topical Application: Burn to preserve the properties, grind into powder for sprinkling, or mix with oil for external application.
Contraindications
Use with caution or contraindicated during pregnancy. Tortoise shell wine decoction has an excitatory effect on the uterus and may enhance uterine contractions. Contraindicated in patients with cold-dampness in the stomach. Use with caution in patients with spleen-stomach weakness: Those with spleen-stomach weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal distension, and loose stools should use with caution. Use with caution in patients with cough and excessive phlegm. Dietary precautions: Avoid warm-hot foods; avoid consuming with alcohol; avoid consuming with amaranth.
Selected Formulas
1. Da Bu Yin Wan (Great Yin-Tonifying Pill, from Dan Xi Xin Fa) Ingredients: Tortoise Shell (Guī Jiǎ), Rehmannia Root (Shú Dì Huáng), Anemarrhena Rhizome (Zhī Mǔ), Phellodendron Bark (Huáng Bǎi), among others. Efficacy: Nourishes yin and reduces fire. Indications: Yin deficiency with internal heat, bone-steaming tidal fever, night sweats, and spermatorrhea. 2. Hu Qian Wan (Tiger-Crouching Pill, from Dan Xi Xin Fa) Ingredients: Tortoise Shell (Guī Jiǎ), Rehmannia Root (Shú Dì), Anemarrhena (Zhī Mǔ), Phellodendron (Huáng Bǎi), Cynomorium (Suǒ Yáng), among others. Efficacy: Nourishes yin, reduces fire, and strengthens sinews and bones. Indications: Kidney deficiency with weak sinews and bones, lumbar and knee soreness, weakness in walking, infantile pigeon chest, tortoise back, and fontanel non-closure. 3. Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang (Liver-Suppressing and Wind-Extinguishing Decoction, from Yi Xue Zhong Zhong Can Xi Lu) Ingredients: Tortoise Shell (Guī Jiǎ), Asparagus Root (Tiān Dōng), White Peony Root (Bái Sháo), Oyster Shell (Mǔ Lì), among others. Efficacy: Suppresses liver yang, extinguishes wind, nourishes yin, and subdues yang. Indications: Yin deficiency with yang excess, dizziness and vertigo. 4. Da Ding Feng Zhu (Great Wind-Calming Pearl, from Wen Bing Tiao Bian) Ingredients: Tortoise Shell (Guī Jiǎ), Donkey-hide Gelatin (ē Jiāo), Turtle Shell (Biē Jiǎ), Rehmannia Root (Shēng Dì Huáng), among others. Efficacy: Nourishes yin and extinguishes wind. Indications: Deficiency wind with internal movement, fatigue, and convulsions (twitching). 5. Gui Jia San (Tortoise Shell Powder, from Sheng Hui Fang) Ingredients: Tortoise Shell (Guī Jiǎ, vinegar-processed), Angelica Root (Dāng Guī), Ginseng (Rén Shēn), White Peony Root (Bái Sháo), Cinnamon Heart (Guì Xīn), among others. Efficacy: Tonifies deficiency, regulates menstruation, stops bleeding, and stabilizes uterine bleeding. Indications: Chronic leukorrhea in women.
Daily Consumption
1. Tortoise Shell Gelatin, Goji Berry, and Black-bone Chicken Soup Ingredients: Tortoise Shell Gelatin (Guī Jiǎ Jiāo) 20g, Goji Berries (Gǒu Qǐ Zǐ) 15g, Black-bone Chicken 250g, a few slices of fresh ginger. Preparation: Stew all ingredients together into a soup and consume. Efficacy: Nourishes yin, clears heat, and nourishes blood to regulate menstruation. 2. Tortoise Shell, Chicken Bone, and Walnut Soup Ingredients: Tortoise Shell (Guī Jiǎ) 30g, 2 pairs of black-bone chicken leg bones, Walnuts 10g, salt and MSG to taste. Preparation: Crush the tortoise shell and chicken bones, add an appropriate amount of water, and simmer over low heat for about 2 hours. Then add the walnuts and salt, and continue simmering until the walnuts are fully cooked. Season to taste. Efficacy: Benefits kidney qi and replenishes kidney essence. Usage: Once daily; consume regularly.
Medicinal Parts
Shell (carapace and plastron).
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry place, protected from insects.
