Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum
Aliases：Guī Bǎn (Tortoise Shell); Xià Jiǎ (Lower Shell, i.e., Plastron); Xuè Bǎn (Blood Shell); Tàng Bǎn (Scalded Shell); Wū Guī Ké (Tortoise Shell); Shén Wū (Divine House); Bài Guī Jiǎ (Defeated Tortoise Shell), among others.
“Turtle” (Wū Guī) is a general term in traditional Chinese medicine for medicinal use. Its different parts — such as the shell (carapace and plastron), meat, and blood — can all be used medicinally, each with distinct therapeutic effects. Among these, the part with the highest and most widely recognized medicinal value is its shell, which is known in Chinese medicine as “Guī Jiǎ” (Tortoise Shell).
Efficacy & Actions
Nourishes yin and suppresses yang; benefits the kidneys and strengthens bones; nourishes blood and tonifies the heart; stabilizes menstruation and stops uterine bleeding.
Indications
Yin deficiency with internal heat: Symptoms such as bone-steaming tidal fever, night sweats, dizziness, and vertigo. Liver-kidney deficiency: Symptoms such as soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, weak and flaccid sinews and bones, and infantile fontanel non-closure. Heart blood deficiency: Symptoms such as forgetfulness, insomnia, and palpitations. Gynecological disorders: Symptoms such as metrorrhagia and metrostaxis (uterine bleeding), and excessive menstruation.
Modern Pharmacology
It exhibits anti-osteoporotic, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective effects, among others. Its efficacy in nourishing yin and suppressing yang is also supported by modern pharmacological research.
Ingredients
Contains gelatin, fats, calcium salts, and other components.
Usage & Dosage
Standard dosage: For oral administration as a decoction, the standard dosage is 9–24g. Special decoction method: Due to its hard texture, which makes it difficult to extract active components, it should be crushed and decocted first (i.e., decocted alone for more than 30 minutes before adding other herbs) when used in a decoction. Other forms of administration: May also be prepared as an extract (paste), or in pills or powder.
Contraindications
Contraindicated populations: Use with caution during pregnancy; contraindicated in patients with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold or cold-dampness in the stomach. Dietary contraindications: Should not be consumed together with alcohol or amaranth. Chinese patent medicines containing whole turtle preparations should also be used with caution in patients with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold and those with cough and excessive phlegm.
Selected Formulas
I. Tortoise Shell Formulas For consumptive depletion with deficiency of true yuan, manifested as soreness of lower back and knees, impotence, and spermatorrhea (Yibian, Guilu Erxian Jiao) Take Guijia (Tortoise shell), Lujiao (Deer horn), Renshen (Ginseng), and Gouqizi (Goji berry). Make into gelatin and take. For bone-steaming tidal fever, night sweats, cough with hemoptysis due to yin deficiency with fire hyperactivity (Danxi Xinfa, Dabuyin Wan) Take Guijia, Shudihuang (Prepared Rehmannia), Zhimu (Anemarrhena), and Huangbai (Phellodendron). Make into pills and take. For dizziness and heat pain in the head due to liver yang hyperactivity (Yixue Zhongzhong Canxi Lu, Zhengan Xifeng Tang) Take Guijia, Niuxi (Achyranthes), raw Daizheshi (Hematite), raw Longgu (Dragon bone), and raw Muli (Oyster shell). Decoct in water and drink. For late-stage warm disease with yin deficiency generating wind, manifested as fatigue and convulsions (Wenbing Tiaobian, Dading Fengzhu) Take raw Guiban, raw Baishao (White peony), Ejiao (Donkey-hide gelatin), Shengdihuang (Raw Rehmannia), raw Muli, and Biejia (Turtle shell). Decoct in water and drink. For intestinal wind and hemorrhoidal fistula (Yixue Rumen, Huogui Wan) Take a whole turtle, grind the meat into paste, roast the shell with bone marrow and grind into powder, mix with Huanglian (Coptis) and Dangguiwei (Angelica tail). Make into pills and take. For tuberculous osteomyelitis and scrofulous nodules (Zhongyao Chengfang Peiben, Duanban Gui Wan) Take one Keshie Wugui (tortoise), seal with clay and calcine, grind into powder, mix with honey and glutinous rice flour to make pills. For difficult labor or stillbirth (Shengji Zonglu, Guijia Tang) Take vinegar-processed Guijia, Danggui, and burned human hair ash. Decoct in water and drink. For chronic deficiency in women with red and white leukorrhea (Taiping Shenghui Fang, Guijia San) Take vinegar-processed Guijia, Heisanger (black mulberry ear), Lurong (Deer horn), Yuyuliang (Limonite), and Danggui. Make into powder and take. II. Tortoise Meat Formulas For consumptive disease with hemoptysis (Bencao Gangmu) Take fresh turtle meat, cook with scallion, pepper, sauce, and oil, and eat. For pulmonary tuberculosis with hematemesis (empirical formula) Take turtle meat, stew with Shashen (Glehnia root) and Cordyceps, and consume. For sinew and bone pain (Bencao Gangmu) Take one turtle and divide into four parts. For each use, take one part with Tianhuafen (Trichosanthes root), Gouqizi, Xionghuang (Realgar), Shexiang (Musk), and Huaihua (Sophora flower). Decoct in water and drink. For dysentery and bloody stools (Bencao Gangmu) Mix turtle meat with sugar water and pepper, roast and eat. For chronic cough that does not heal for years (empirical formula) Take 3 raw turtles, remove the intestines, add 5 sheng of water, decoct to 3 sheng, then use the liquid to brew wine and drink. III. Tortoise Blood and Bile For amenorrhea and traumatic injuries (tortoise blood, empirical formula) Take an appropriate amount of tortoise blood and drink. For swollen and painful eyes (tortoise bile, empirical formula) Use tortoise bile as eye drops or mix with other ingredients for external application.
Daily Consumption
Stewed Turtle with Smilax Glabra Rhizome (Tǔ Fú Líng): Stew turtle together with Smilax Glabra Rhizome. It helps nourish yin, tonify blood, dispel wind-dampness, and strengthen bones and tendons. Suitable for spasmodic bone pain, malignant sores, carbuncles, and other conditions. Plain Stewed Turtle (from Gu Fang Yin Shi Liao Fa – Ancient Dietary Therapy Formulas): Helps benefit yin and tonify blood. Suitable for hemoptysis due to pulmonary tuberculosis and night sweats due to yin deficiency. Stewed Turtle with Prepared Aconite (Fù Zǐ) and Tangerine Peel (Chén Pí): Stew turtle together with Prepared Aconite and Tangerine Peel. It helps nourish both yin and yang, replenish essence and blood. Suitable for hypertension due to dual deficiency of yin and yang with upward hyperactivity of deficient yang. Turtle Meat, Lily Bulb, and Jujube Soup: Take 250g of turtle meat, 50g of lily bulb, and 10 jujube dates, and cook them together into a soup. It helps tonify blood and nourish the heart. Suitable for insomnia due to yin deficiency, restlessness, and palpitations.
Medicinal Parts
The meat, blood, bile, and other parts of the turtle may also be used medicinally.
Selection & Storage
Should be stored in a dry, airtight container in a cool, dry place, and protected from moisture and insects.
