Gui Ban - Fresh Water Turtle Shell
TCM Materia Medica
Gui Ban TCM Herb Classifications and Usages
The TCM herb "gui ban" which in english is "fresh water turtle shell", is categorized within the "herbs that tonify yin" functional grouping. It is thought to enter the heart, kidney and liver channels and exhibits cold (han), salty (xian) and sweet (gan) 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 ascending yang, night sweats, dizziness, tinnitus, steaming bone disorder.
- Liver and kidney yin deficiency - internal wind symptoms, facial spasms, hand and feet tremors.
- Benefits kidneys, strengthens bone - sore back, weak legs, slow skeletal growth in children.
- Cools the blood - stops uterine bleeding due to heat in the blood, excessive menses.
- Tonify blood, nourish the heart, calm the heart - anxiety, insomnia.
While it may not always be included depending on the manufacturer or herbalist making the formula, gui ban is generally included in the following 1 formula:
ViewSang Piao Xiao Wan (Mantis Egg Case Powder)
Frequent urination, possibly incontinent from weakness in the heart and kidney systems. Pang Guang Shi Yue (bladder losing restraint). Other kidney deficiency signs possible such as spermatorrhea, …
As noted above, gui ban 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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