Gui Jia

Naming

Gui Jia (Carapax et Plastrum Testudinis)——Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Shen Nong’s Herbal)

The Processing of Gui Jia

Origin

The back shell and plastron of the animal Chinemys reevesii (Gray) of family Testudinidae.

Location

Mainly produced in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Hunan provinces in China.

Harvest

Captured all the year round. Killed, shelled.

The actual smell and taste

Slight raw meat smell, slightly salty.

Best quality

Big, whole, clean, without carrion.

Processing

Unprocessed or quenched with vinegar.

The Effect of Gui Jia

Property

Sweet, salty, cold; liver and kidney meridians entered.

Actions

Nourish yin of liver and kidney, subdue yang, strengthen bone, stop bleeding, nourish blood, and tonify heart.

Indications

A. Syndromes of liver and kidney yin deficiency

It is indicated for yin deficiency with yang hyperactivity, endogenous wind, and yin deficiency with internal heat due to liver and kidney yin deficiency, because it can nourish yin of liver and kidney, suppress floating yang which moves upwards. For dizziness, blurred vision, flushing with blood-shot eyes, impatience and temper lose easily due to liver and kidney yin deficiency, and liver yang flaming upwards, it is combined with yin-nourishing and yang-subduing herbs, for instance, it is used with Dai Zhe Shi, Tian Dong, and Long Gu in Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang from Yi Xue Zhong Zhong Can Xi Lu. For yin deficiency with stirring wind due to yin injury by febrile, or yin deficiency led by long term disease, it is combined with yin and fluid-nourishing and liver-emolliating herbs, for instance, it is used with E Jiao, Sheng Di Huang, and Bai Shao in Da Ding Feng Zhu from Wen Bing Tiao Bian. For bone-steaming, tidal fever, night sweat and spermatorrhea due to yin deficiency, it is combined with yin-nourishing and fever-relieving herbs, for instance, it is used with Shu Di Huang, Zhi Mu, and Huang Bai in Da Bu Yin Wan from Dan Xi Xin Fa.

B. Atrophy-flaccidity of bone due to kidney deficiency

It can tonify and nourish liver and kidney, strengthen tendon and bone. For malnutrition of tendon and bone, atrophy and limpness of lumbar and knees, powerlessness when walking, or retardation of walking, delayed closure of fontanel due to liver and kidney deficiency, it is combined with liver and kidney tonics, tendon and bone-strengthening herbs, such as Shu Di Huang, Lu Rong, Niu Xi and Suo Yang.

C. Metrorrhagia, metrostaxis and large quantity of menstrual blood

It can tonify liver and kidney, strengthen thoroughfare and conception vessels, and stop bleeding. It is very indicated for metrorrhagia, metrostaxis and large quantity of menstrual blood due to yin deficiency with blood heat, insecurity of thoroughfare and conception vessels because of its cool and cold properties. It is usually combined with yin-nourishing, heat-clearing and bleeding-stopping herbs, for instance, it is used with Bai Shao, Huang Qin, and Chun Pi in Gu Jing Wan from Yi Xue Ru Men.

D. Palpitation, insomnia, and amnesia

It can nourish yin and blood, tonify heart to induce tranquilization. For palpitation, insomnia, and amnesia due to yin-blood deficiency, malnourishment of heart, it is combined with mind-tranquilizing and will-strengthening herbs, for instance, it is used with Shi Chang Pu, Yuan Zhi and Long Gu in Kong Sheng Zhen Zhong Dan from Qian Jin Fang.

Dosage and Administrations

Decoct 10~15 g. To raw material, be broken and decocted firstly. After stir-baked with gravel sand and dipped into vinegar, it is convenient to make pharmacological preparation because its effective ingredients are easy to be decocted out and got rid of smell of fish.