Turtle shell (Biejia)

Pharmaceutical Name : Carapax Trionycis

Zoological Name : Trionyx sinensis Wiegmann

Common Name : Fresh-water 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), Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang), Donkey hide gelatin (Ejiao) 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 Burreed tuber (Sanleng), Zedoary (Ezhu), Moutan bark (Mudanpi) and Rhubarb (Dahuang).

Dosage: 10-30 g

Cautions & Contraindications: This herb is contraindicated in cases with deficiency and cold in the spleen and stomach with poor appetite and diarrhea, and during pregnancy.