Pinyin: Guijia
Aliases
Guiqiao, Guixiajia, Guifujia, Wuguike, Guiban.
Source
Emydidae animal, Chinemys reevesii (Chinese pond turtle)Chinemys reevesiiCarapace and plastron of (Gray).
Distribution
Inhabits rivers and ponds. Distributed in Hebei, Shaanxi, Shandong, Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Taiwan, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Yunnan, and other regions.
Harvesting and Processing
Captured throughout the year, most frequently in autumn and winter
Chemical Constituents
It mainly contains various amino acids, inorganic elements, as well as components such as bone collagen and keratin.
Pharmacology
Has the effect of reducing serum T3, T4 levels in hyperthyroid rats.3T4It can effectively reduce adrenal cortical function in hyperthyroid rats, enhance cellular and humoral immune function, stimulate uterine activity, lower the serum copper/zinc ratio, and delay the aging process.
Properties and Channel Entry
Salty, sweet, and slightly cold. Enters the Liver, Kidney, and Heart channels.
Functions and Indications
Nourishes Yin and subdues Yang, benefits the Kidneys and strengthens bones, nourishes Blood and tonifies the Heart, stabilizes the menses and stops uterine bleeding. Used for tidal fever due to Yin deficiency, bone steaming and night sweats, dizziness and blurred vision, internal stirring of Deficiency Wind, weak and flaccid sinews and bones, Heart deficiency with forgetfulness, uterine bleeding and excessive menstruation.
Dosage and Administration
Oral administration: decoction, 10-30 g, decoct first; or prepared as an extract; or made into pills or powder. External use: appropriate amount, burned to retain the nature, ground into powder for application or mixed with oil for topical application.
Prescriptions
1. For pediatric metopic suture non-closure (fontanel enlargement): Guiban (Turtle Shell) 15 g, Dihuang (Rehmannia) 3 g. Decoct in water and take in three divided doses (morning, noon, and evening). (From Wen's Effective Prescriptions: Metopic Suture Closure Decoction) 2. For heart deficiency with forgetfulness: Guijia (Turtle Shell, roasted), Mutong (Akebia, sliced), Yuanzhi (Polygala, core removed), and Changpu (Acorus) 15 g each. Grind into a fine powder. Take on an empty stomach with wine, starting at a square-inch spoonful, gradually increasing to 6 g. (From Shengji Zonglu: Guijia Powder) 3. For female leukorrhea with abdominal pain: Guiban (Turtle Shell, wine-roasted) 60 g, Huangbai (Phellodendron, fried) 30 g, Ganjiang (Dried Ginger, fried) 3 g, Zhizi (Gardenia) 7.5 g. Grind together into powder, form into pills with wine paste, the size of Wutong seeds. Take 70 pills each time, twice daily. (From Zhizhi Fang) 4. For unnamed swellings, facial furuncles, back abscesses, and deep-seated abscesses (at onset, near rupture, or after rupture with bleeding): Guiban (Turtle Shell, one large piece) and Baifeng (White Wax) 30 g. Heat the turtle shell on a stove, gradually sprinkle the white wax onto it until the shell is dry and brittle. Remove from heat, let cool, and grind into fine powder. Take 9 g each time, three times daily, mixed with yellow wine until mildly intoxicated. Lie down afterward to induce a heavy sweat. (From Mei's New Compilation of Tested Prescriptions: Turtle Wax Pill) 5. For cracked nipples: Guiban (Turtle Shell, roasted) ground into powder, mix with Bingpian (Borneol) evenly, and apply with sesame oil. (From Qianzhai Simple and Effective Prescriptions) 6. For chronic, foul-smelling leg ulcers: Take one fresh turtle shell, roast with vinegar until yellow, then calcine to preserve the nature, remove fire toxin, add Qingfen (Calomel) and Shexiang (Musk). Wash the ulcer with scallion water, then apply the powder. (From Jijiu Fang) 7. For flaccidity (atrophy) of limbs, weak sinews and bones, severe deficiency of Qi and Blood: Huangbai (Phellodendron, fried) and Guiban (Turtle Shell, wine-roasted) 45 g each, Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) 6 g, Niuxi (Achyranthes) 30 g, Chenpi (Tangerine Peel) 15 g. Grind into powder, form pills with ginger juice or wine paste. Take 70 pills each time with plain water. (From Danxi's Heart Method: Kidney-Tonifying Pill)
