Cuora flavomarginata（Gray）
Aliases：Jiá Bǎn Guī (Clamping-plate Turtle), Duàn Bǎn Guī (Broken-plate Turtle), Kè Shé Guī (Snake-killing Turtle), Xiā Shé Guī (Snake-eating Turtle), Huáng Yuán Bì Ké Guī (Yellow-margined Box Turtle), Huáng Yuán Hé Guī (Yellow-margined Box Turtle), Jīn Tóu Guī (Golden-headed Turtle).
Jiá Shé Guī Ròu is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the meat of Cuora flavomarginata (Gray) or Cuora trifasciata (Bell), animals belonging to the family Testudinidae. The turtle is named “Jiá Shé Guī” (Snake-catching Turtle) because its plastron can close and it is known to eat snakes. In folk medicine, it is also known as “Kè Shé Guī” (Snake-killing Turtle). This medicinal material was first recorded in Shixing Bencao (Dietetic Materia Medica).
Efficacy & Actions
Nourishes and strengthens, activates blood circulation, and detoxifies. In addition, it is also recorded as having the effects of repairing damage and restoring sinews and vessels.
Indications
Indicated for debility and emaciation, joint pain, traumatic injuries, wind-dampness arthralgia, and snakebites.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: cook and eat, in an appropriate amount. For external use: apply an appropriate amount, crushed fresh and applied topically.
Contraindications
Toxic; should not be consumed in large amounts.
Selected Formulas
For spinal hypertrophy (Common Medicinal Animals) Take one yellow‑margined box turtle (kill, remove the shell, wash, and discard the intestines), 50g of ham, several slices of aged ginger, and a little yellow wine. Stew until cooked, dip in soy sauce and eat as a side dish, consumed in two divided doses. For traumatic injuries (Common Medicinal Animals) Take one yellow‑margined box turtle, remove the internal organs, crush the fresh meat, and apply externally to the injured area. For hypertrophic spondylitis (Chinese Animal Medicines) Take one fresh Jiashe turtle (yellow‑margined box turtle), remove the intestines, wrap in yellow clay, and burn to charcoal while retaining its properties. Take out and grind into powder. Take 2g each time, twice daily, with yellow wine.
Daily Consumption
Stewed for consumption: Take an appropriate amount of Jiá Shé Guī Ròu, stew it together with ham, aged ginger, and other ingredients until cooked, then consume. Cooked for consumption: Cook an appropriate amount and eat. It may be used as a nourishing tonic.
Medicinal Parts
The meat of Cuora flavomarginata (Gray) or Cuora trifasciata (Bell), animals belonging to the family Testudinidae.
Selection & Storage
Use fresh. For short-term storage, it may be refrigerated.
