Soft-shelled Turtle Egg

Aliases：Jiayu Dan and Bie Dan. (These are alternative names for soft‑shelled turtle eggs.)

Nature & Flavor

Salty in flavor
Cold in nature
Enters the kidney meridian
Enters the large intestine meridian

Efficacy & Actions

Nourishes Yin and stops dysentery.

Indications

Chronic diarrhea and chronic dysentery in children.

Modern Pharmacology

Regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism: Freeze‑dried powder of Trionyx sinensis eggs can alleviate the symptoms of polydipsia, polyphagia, and weight loss in diabetes models, and significantly ameliorates diabetes‑induced lipid metabolism disorders. Nutritional supplementation: Turtle eggs are rich in proteins, phospholipids, amino acids, and other nutrients that help strengthen the body. Blood‑purifying effect: Turtle eggs have a notable blood‑purifying effect, and regular consumption may help lower blood cholesterol levels. Anti‑tumor potential: Turtle eggs and their extracts may help prevent and inhibit liver cancer, gastric cancer, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and can be used to alleviate weakness, anemia, and leukopenia caused by radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Ingredients

Protein: Crude protein content is approximately 50.01%. Phospholipids: The content is approximately 12.74%, containing 5 types of phospholipid components. Amino Acids: Seventeen types of hydrolyzed amino acids have been detected, with glutamic acid being the most abundant. Minerals: The calcium content is 4.2 times that of chicken eggs. Vitamins: The riboflavin (vitamin B₂) content is twice that of chicken eggs. Compared with chicken eggs, turtle eggs are characterized by higher protein content (1.84 times that of chicken eggs), higher calcium content, lower fat content (1/2 that of chicken eggs), lower sugar content (1/16 that of chicken eggs), and lower cholesterol content (1/9 that of chicken eggs).

Usage & Dosage

For oral administration: cooked and eaten, 2–6 eggs.

Contraindications

Contraindicated in patients with renal failure and in the early stages of hepatic coma: The protein content in turtle eggs is relatively high and difficult to digest and absorb. Use with caution in patients with hepatitis: It may increase the burden on the liver. Use with caution in patients with gout: Turtle eggs contain a certain amount of purines. Contraindicated in patients with chronic enteritis, chronic dysentery, and chronic diarrhea with loose stools. Contraindicated in individuals with allergic constitution: It may trigger allergic reactions such as rash and asthma. Use with caution during pregnancy. Use with caution in individuals with excessive phlegm and food stagnation. Use with caution in patients with hyperlipidemia. Must be thoroughly cooked: Turtle eggs may contain parasites; inadequate cooking may cause infection. Not suitable for excessive consumption in children: To avoid Shanghuo (excessive internal heat, characterized by symptoms such as dry and itchy throat, dizziness and head fullness, bitter taste, and bad breath). Not suitable for excessive consumption in women: Turtle eggs contain a certain amount of estrogen.

Selected Formulas

For chronic diarrhea and dysentery in children (empirical formula) Take soft‑shelled turtle eggs, soak them in salt water, then boil until cooked. Eat 2 eggs each time, three times daily. Alternatively, cook them into congee and consume.

Daily Consumption

Turtle eggs can be steamed, boiled, or stir‑fried until cooked for consumption, and can also be cooked into congee. They may be paired with foods such as Chinese yam (Shanyao), goji berries (Gouqizi), red dates (Hongzao), black sesame seeds (Heizhima), and walnuts (Hetao). Before consumption, the eggs should be thoroughly cleaned and may be soaked in water for a period of time beforehand.

Medicinal Parts

It is the egg of the Chinese soft-shelled turtle Trionyx sinensis or T. steindachneri, animals belonging to the family Trionychidae.

Selection & Storage

Store refrigerated.

Back to Chinese Herbs