Bie Jia - Chinese Soft Turtle Shell

TCM Materia Medica

Bie Jia TCM Herb Classifications and Usages

The TCM herb "bie jia" which in english is "chinese soft turtle shell", is categorized within the "herbs that tonify yin" functional grouping. It is thought to enter the liver and spleen channels and exhibits cold (han) and salty (xian) taste/temperature properties.

Dosages and preparations will vary according to each individual and the overall approach of a formula, but generally this herb has the following dosage and/or preparation guidelines:

  • Dosage: 9-30g

Of many possible clinical applications, it may be considered to influence the following issues/symptoms:

  • Nourish yin, anchor yang - yin deficiency with fever, steaming bone, night sweats, often used when accompanied with internal liver wind symptoms.
  • Invigorate blood, promotes menses, dissipates nodules - chest and flank accumulations causing pain, amenorrhea, malarial disorders with palpable masses, excessive menses due to heat in the blood.

While it may not always be included depending on the manufacturer or herbalist making the formula, bie jia is generally included in the following 2 formulas:

ViewQing Hao Bie Jia Wan (Artemisia Annua and Soft-Shelled Turtle Formula)

Heat at night (nightsweats, sensation of heat) with a sensation of coolness in the early morning/upon waking, no effect on appetite. Pulse will be fine and rapid and the Tongue will be red with l…

ViewWu Ji Bai Feng Wan (Black Chicken White Phoenix Pills)

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As noted above, bie jia is within the herbs that tonify yin functional group. All the herbs in this category are listed below.

(truncated intro "... yin tonics are generally sweet, cold, enriching and cloying. they are inappropriate for spleen or stomach deficiency, internal dampness or phlegm, abdominal distension, and/or diarrhea. general symptoms by system: lung yin defic…)".

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