The source is from the plastron of Chinemys reevesii, family Testudinidae. The medicinal material is mainly produced in the areas of Zhejiang, Hubei, Hunan, and Anhui, etc.. The animal can be caught all year round and after it is killed, the tendon and meat are removed, the plastron is remained and the plastron is cleaned and dried in the sun, which is called Xueban; after it is boiled in boiling water to death, the plastron is fetched out and dried in the sun, which is called Tangban. the crude one or the one roasted with vinegar can be used for medication after it is stir-baked with sand. Medicinal Properties Sweet and salty in flavor, cold in nature and attributive to the liver, kidney and heart meridians. Actions Nourish yin and suppress the hyperactive yang, benefit the kidney and strengthen the bone, enrich the blood and nourishing the heart, regulate menstruation and relieve bleeding. Application 1. It is used for deficiency of yin causing hyperactivity of yang with dizziness or yin-deficiency resulting in wind stirring manifested as convulsion of hands and feet. For the former, it is usually combined with Baishaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Alba ) , Niuxi (Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae ), Longgu ( Os Draconis ), and Daizheshi (Haematitum), such as Zhengan Xifeng Tang (Decoction); for the latter, with Shengdihuang (Radix Rehmannia), Maimendong ( Radix Ophiopogonis ), Biejia ( Carapax Trionycis ), and Ejiao ( CoUa Corii Asini ), etc., such as Da Dingfeng Zhu (Bolus). 2. For yin-deficiency with fire hyperactivity manifested as hectic fever, night sweat and nocturnal emission, it is usually combined with Shudihuang (Rhizoma Rehmanniae Praeparata ), Zhimu ( Rhizoma Anemarrhenae), and Huangbai ( Cortex Phellodendri), etc., such as Da Buyin Wan (Pill). 3. For insufficiency of the liver and kidney manifested as weakness of the tendons and bones, flaccidity of the neck and delayed closure of fontanel in infants, it is combined with Shudihuang (Rhizoma Rehmanniae Praeparata ) , Baishaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Alba ) , etc.. 4. For deficiency of the heart manifested as palpitation, insomnia and amnesia, it can be combined with Longgu ( Os Draconis), Yuanzhi (Radix Polygalae), and Shichangpu (Rhizoma Acori Graminei), etc., such as Kongsheng Zhenzhong Dan (Bolus). 5. For yin-deficiency and blood-heat manifested as metrorrhagia and metrostaxis or menorrhagia, it is usually combined with Baishaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Alba ), Huangbai ( Cortex Phellodendri ), and Xiangfu (Rhizoma Cyperi), etc., such as Gujing Wan (Pill). Usage and Dosage 10 -30 g is used in decoction for oral use, which is broken and decocted first. Notes It is not suitable for deficiency of spleen-yang and stomach-yang.
