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More Information:
Other
Common Names
Tortoise Shell
Page
Number In Radiant Health
not in book
Pharmaceutical
Latin
Plastrum Testudinis
Pinyin
Gui Ban
Treasures
Yin Jing
Treasure
Rating
****
Atmospheric
Energy
Cold
Taste
Sweet and salty
Organ
Meridian Systems
Kidney, Liver and Heart
Part
Used and Form
The plastron (undershell) of a fresh water Tortoise
Primary
Functions
To nourish Yin and subdue fire (hyperactive Yang), to
tonify the Kidney and to strengthen the skeleton, and to
cause the Qi to ascend
Qualities
Tortoise plastron is an important tonic, used routinely
in "restorative" formulas for people who are
experiencing exhaustion. It replenishes bodily fluids,
and settles unruly wind, which manifests in
Yin-deficiency cases as inflammation, pain, cramps,
fever, dehydration, insomnia, etc. Due to its Yin
nourishing ability and to the fact that it is a cold
herb, it is capable of extinguishing false fire
conditions anywhere in the body.
Yin Jing is easily depleted by excessive stress, over
work, and particularly by excessive sexual activity
(beyond the body's actual capacity) and drug abuse. As
the Yin Jing becomes depleted, Yang is left uncontrolled
and false fire conditions can easily develop, resulting
in hyperactive Yang. If the condition is left untreated,
severe damage will (not might) result. Yin Jing is
synonymous with life itself. It protects our
youthfulness. When a person runs low on Yin Jing, they
age very quickly. When a person runs out of Yin Jing,
they die. Therefore, Yin Jing deficiency is very serious
and must be avoided at all cost. That is where herbs
like Lycium, Polygonum and Steamed Rehmannia come into
play. But if Yin Jing deficiency does occur, it must be
treated as quickly and effectively as possible. That is
where Tortoise plastron comes in. It is powerful,
effective, and quick. If the symptoms of exhaustion do
include hyperactive symptoms, such as afternoon fevers,
inflammation, sore throat, swollen lymph glands, etc.,
blend the Tortoise Plastron with cold herbs like
Dendrobium, raw Rehmannia, Phellodendron, Red Peony,
Anemarrhena, etc. This combination will replenish fluids
(Yin) and Kidney Yin (Yin essence).
If some one is thoroughly exhausted but is not yet
showing such hot symptoms, or if the hot symptoms have
already been overcome but more restorative therapy is
required, then Tortoise Plastron and a variety of
cooling Yin herbs may be blended with Placenta hominis,
Astragalus, Ginseng (Panax or American, depending on
conditions) and other Qi tonics to create an awesome
restorative formula.
Tortoise Plastron is also used to tonify the bones. For
this it is blended with herbs like Deer Antler, Drynaria,
Dipsacus and Morinda.
Primary
Combinations
Combine with:
1. White Peony root and Uncaria stem to subdue
hyperactive yang due to deficient Liver, manifesting as
dizziness, headache and blurred vision
2. Fresh Rehmannia, Oyster shell and Donkey skin glue
for convulsions due to dehydration and exhaustion of yin
3. Rehmannia (steamed) and Dragon Bone for low back pain
due to yin deficiency and to prevent premature
ejaculation
4. Ganoderma, Polygala and Spirit Poria for confusion
due to exhaustion
Varieties
and Grading
There are many kinds of Tortoise Plastron available in
China, but the selection is extremely limited in
America. Genuine, first grade tortoise plastron will be
3 to 6 inches long and 2 to 3 inches wide. It is a light
yellow and purplish-brown elliptical plate with
purplish-brown radial veins lines. Each plastron is
composed of 12 smaller plates. The inner surface is
yellow. Be sure to obtain the plastron from a reliable
herb dealer, since plastron from some species is not
very useful. There are many fakes and some of them look
very much like Chinemys reevesii. Most of the time, you
will be obtaining Tortoise Plastron as a component of a
prepared formula and you won't have to worry about
selecting it.
Contraindications
The herb should be used with caution during pregnancy.
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Tortoise
plastron is an important tonic, used routinely in
"restorative" formulas for people who are
experiencing exhaustion. It replenishes bodily fluids,
and settles unruly wind, which manifests in
Yin-deficiency cases as inflammation, pain, cramps,
fever, dehydration, insomnia, etc. Due to its Yin
nourishing ability and to the fact that it is a cold
herb, it is capable of extinguishing false fire
conditions anywhere in the body.