Tortoise Shell – 1 lb (454 g)

Tortoise Shell, known in Chinese as 龟甲 (Guījiǎ) and scientifically as Carapax et Plastrum Testudinis, is a valued herb in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This TCM herb has been traditionally used to support natural wellness, maintain vitality, and encourage holistic balance. At TCMforyou.com, we provide premium-quality Tortoise Shell carefully sourced to preserve its therapeutic properties.

As a herbal supplement, Tortoise Shell helps promote overall well-being and supports natural energy, immunity, and balance. Integrating this herb into your wellness routine offers a gentle, time-tested approach to enhancing daily health. Whether brewed as tea, added to herbal remedies, or taken as part of a TCM formula, Tortoise Shell provides a safe, natural way to experience the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine.

Trusted for centuries, Tortoise Shell has been used in TCM to harmonize the body and encourage optimal functioning of key systems. At TCMforyou, we prioritize authenticity and quality. Each batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure purity and potency, delivering an herbal product aligned with traditional practices.

Experience the natural support of Tortoise Shell, promoting immune health, vitality, and holistic well-being. Embrace the wisdom of TCM and incorporate this gentle, effective herbal remedy into your daily wellness journey.

[Overview] This product is also known as Guijia Ban, Guixia Jia, and Wugui Ke. It is the dorsal and ventral shell of the tortoise Chinemys reevesii (Gray) of the family Testudinidae. It is mainly produced in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Hubei, and Hunan provinces. It can be harvested year-round, with autumn and winter being the main seasons. The captured tortoise is killed either by boiling water or other means, then the dorsal and ventral shells are removed, residual flesh is cleaned off, and the shells are sun-dried.

[Properties] Taste: salty and sweet; nature: slightly cold. Channels entered: Liver, Kidney, Heart.

[Actions] Nourishes yin and suppresses yang, tonifies the kidney and strengthens bones, nourishes blood and tonifies the heart.

[Applications]
1. Used for liver and kidney yin deficiency with hyperactive fire syndromes. For liver and kidney yin deficiency with liver yang rising causing dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus, it is often combined with Sheng Longgu (Raw Dragon Bone), Sheng Muli (Raw Oyster Shell), Huai Niuxi (Achyranthes Root), Dai Zhe Shi (Hematite), Bai Shao (White Peony Root), as in Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang (Sedate the Liver and Extinguish Wind Decoction). For yin deficiency with vigorous fire causing bone steaming, tidal fever, night sweating, flushed face and tinnitus, it is often combined with Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia), Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena), Huang Bai (Phellodendron), as in Da Bu Yin Wan (Great Tonify Yin Pill). For late-stage febrile disease with internal wind due to deficiency causing fatigue, hand and foot spasms, and weak pulse and qi, it is often combined with Bai Shao (White Peony Root), Ji Zi Huang (Chicken Egg Yolk), E Jiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin), Sheng Muli (Raw Oyster Shell), as in Da Ding Feng Zhu (Great Calm Wind Pearl).
2. Used for liver and kidney deficiency with insufficient essence and blood causing weakness of tendons and bones, inability to support weight on feet, or delayed walking in children, and unclosed fontanelle. It is often combined with Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia), Suo Yang (Cynomorium), Hu Gu (Tiger Bone), Huang Bai (Phellodendron), as in Hu Qian Wan (Tiger Conceal Pill). For extreme kidney essence deficiency causing nocturnal emissions, spermatorrhea, emaciation, shortness of breath, and blurred vision, it is often combined with Lu Jiao (Deer Antler), Gou Qi Zi (Lycium Fruit), Ren Shen (Ginseng) decocted into a paste, as in Gui Lu Er Xian Gao (Tortoise and Deer Two-Immortal Paste).
3. Used for yin deficiency with blood heat causing continuous menstruation, metrorrhagia, and leukorrhea due to injury of Chong and Ren vessels. It is often combined with Shao Yao (Peony), Huang Bai (Phellodendron), Xiang Fu (Cyperus), Chu Pi (Ailanthus Bark), Huang Qin (Scutellaria), as in Gu Jing Wan (Stabilize the Menses Pill). If accompanied by leukorrhea, it can be combined with Muli (Oyster Shell) ground into powder and taken with wine.
4. Used for yin and blood deficiency causing heart spirit disturbance, palpitations, insomnia, forgetfulness. It is often combined with Long Gu (Dragon Bone), Yuan Zhi (Polygala), Chang Pu (Acorus), as in Kong Sheng Zhen Zhong Dan (Confucius’ Pillow Elixir).
Additionally, this product is also used for hemorrhoids, anal fistula, and various unidentified swellings and toxins.

[Dosage and Administration] Internal use: decoct 9–24 g, decoct first. Can be boiled into a paste or made into pills or powders. External use: appropriate amount, burn to ash while preserving properties, grind into powder and mix with oil for topical application.

[Cautions] Contraindicated in cases of spleen and stomach deficiency cold and in pregnancy. Avoid with Sha Shen (Adenophora Root), Fei Lian (Cockroach), and dog bile.

[Modern Research]
1. Chemical constituents: Carapax contains bone collagen, including 18 amino acids such as aspartic acid and threonine, as well as fats, gelatinous substances, and more than ten inorganic elements including calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium.
2. Pharmacological effects: Carapax can effectively reduce thyroid function in hyperthyroid rats; its yin-nourishing mechanism is closely related to lowering thyroid hormone levels in yin-deficient animals. High concentrations of aqueous decoction have certain excitatory effects on isolated and in vivo uterus. It can increase serum IgG levels, enhance cellular and humoral immunity, tonify and delay aging; it has inhibitory effects on Mycobacterium tuberculosis; it also has blood-tonifying, deficiency-heat relieving, and sedative effects.