Turtle shell (Biejia)
Trionyx sinensis Wiegmann (Fam. Trionychidae)
Pharmaceutical Name: Carapax Trionycis Sinensis
Zoological Name: Trionyx
sinensis Wiegmann (Fam.
Trionychidae)
Common Name: Fresh-water turtle shell, Chinese turtle shell.
Source of Earliest Record: Shennong
Bencao Jing.
Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical
Preparations: The shell can be removed after the turtle has been boiled for
one or two hours.
Properties & Taste: Salty and cold.
Meridian: Liver.
Functions: 1. To nourish yin and subdue
yang; 2. To soften hardness and disperse nodules.
Indications & Combinations:
1. Internal stirring of endogenous wind
following the later stage of febrile disease in which yin and body fluids are
consumed or tendons and muscles are not nourished manifested as tremulous
fingers, spasms and convulsions, thready and rapid pulse and dry tongue proper
with scanty coating. Turtle shell (Biejia) is used with Oyster shell
(Muli), Donkey hide gelatin (Ejiao), Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang) and
White peony root (Baishao) in the formula Erjia Fumai Tang.
2. Deficient yin with fever; a) deficient
yin and body fluids at the later stage of febrile disease manifested as night
fever and subsiding in the morning without sweating and red tongue with scanty
coating. Turtle shell (Biejia) is used with Sweet wormwood (Qinghao) and
Moutan bark (Mudanpi) in the formula Qinghao Biejia Tang; b) deficient yin with
internal heat manifested as afternoon fever and night sweating. Turtle shell
(Biejia) is used with Stellaria root (Yinchaihu) and Wolfberry bark (Digupi) in
the formula Qinggu San.
3. Chronic malaria with amenorrhea
manifested as hypochondriac pain and hard, palpable masses in the epigastric
and abdominal regions. Turtle shell (Biejia) is used with Zedoary (Ezhu), Burreed
tuber (Sanleng), Moutan bark (Mudanpi) and Rhubarb (Dahuang).
Dosage: 10-30 g, decocted prior to other herbs. For replenishing Yin
and suppressing Excess Liver Yang, it is used unprepared; for softening lumps
and resolving masses, it is stir-baked with vinegar.
Cautions & Contraindications: Contraindicated in patients with
poor appetite or loose stools due to Spleen and Stomach Deficiency; contraindicated
during pregnancy.
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