Gui Ban
StarChinemys reevesii (Gray)
☯ TCM Properties
Nourishes Yin and Subdues Yang; Benefits the Kidneys and Strengthens the Bones; Nourishes Heart Blood; Fixes the Chong and Ren vessels and stops bleeding; Clears Deficiency Heat
Traditional Chinese Uses
Gui Ban (tortoise plastron) is a cold, salty substance that nourishes Yin and anchors Yang, replenishes Kidney essence and Blood, and clears deficiency heat. It is indicated for Liver and Kidney Yin deficiency patterns with ascending Fire — including dizziness, night sweats, afternoon fevers, and the sensation of heat in the palms and soles. It also consolidates bones, supports the marrow, and stops uterine bleeding from deficiency heat. Its profound Yin-nourishing action makes it important in formulas for exhaustion and constitutional Yin insufficiency.
Used In Formulas (2)
Botanical Description
Gui Ban is the dried plastron (ventral shell) of the Chinese three-keeled pond turtle, Chinemys reevesii (Reeves' turtle), an aquatic reptile native to East Asia. The plastron is collected after the animal is slaughtered, cleaned of adhering flesh, sun-dried, and often processed by dry-frying with sand or vinegar before use. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Gui Ban is classified as a Yin-tonifying substance, salty and sweet in flavor and cold in nature, entering the Kidney, Liver, and Heart channels. It is used to nourish Yin, anchor floating Yang, strengthen the sinews and bones, and stop uterine bleeding due to Yin deficiency.
Active Constituents
Collagen
Structural proteinConcentration: Major organic component of the plastron matrix
The dominant organic constituent of tortoise plastron. On prolonged decoction or gelatin (Gui Ban Jiao) preparation it is hydrolyzed to gelatin, peptides and characteristic amino acids that are thought to underlie the traditional Yin- and Blood-nourishing actions.
Amino acids (glycine, proline, hydroxyproline, glutamic acid)
Amino acidsConcentration: Decoctions contain 27 free amino acids plus 22 amino-acid derivatives (tens of mg per 10 g)
Glycine- and proline-rich profile reflects the collagen source. Free amino acids and small peptides contribute to the nutritive, tonic and reported neuroprotective/antioxidant activity of plastron decoctions.
Calcium salts (calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate)
Inorganic mineralsConcentration: Principal inorganic fraction of the bony shell
The mineralized shell supplies calcium and phosphorus. This mineral load is associated with the traditional bone-strengthening use and is the basis for a theoretical chelation interaction with certain oral antibiotics.
Chondroitin sulfate
Glycosaminoglycan (protein-polysaccharide complex)Concentration: Present in the shell matrix
A sulfated glycosaminoglycan of the connective-tissue matrix; has been investigated for joint-supportive and anti-degenerative effects.
Bioactive peptides
OligopeptidesConcentration: 18 small peptides identified in decoctions
Low-molecular-weight peptides released on decoction; associated with antioxidant activity and, in cell studies, protection of neurons against amyloid-beta toxicity with preserved mitochondrial function.
Trace minerals (magnesium, phosphorus, strontium, zinc)
Inorganic mineralsConcentration: Trace to minor
Minor mineral constituents co-extracted from the bony matrix that contribute to the overall mineral supplementation attributed to the material.
⚠ Drug Interactions
Oral tetracycline and fluoroquinolone antibiotics
The plastron is rich in calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate. Polyvalent calcium cations can chelate tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones in the gut lumen, forming poorly absorbed complexes and reducing antibiotic bioavailability, as is established for other calcium-rich products.
Clinical note: Separate ingestion of calcium-rich mineral herbs from these antibiotics by 2-4 hours; interaction is inferred from calcium chemistry, not from specific Gui Ban trials.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 9-30g | Daily | — | — | — |
Preparation Methods
Decoction (decocted first / prolonged boiling)
Parts: Plastron (ventral shell)
Because the material is dense and mineralized, the cleaned, sand-fried and vinegar-quenched plastron is broken up and decocted first (before other herbs) with prolonged boiling to extract collagen, amino acids and minerals. Typical dose 9-24 g. CONSERVATION/LEGAL WARNING: source turtle Mauremys (Chinemys) reevesii is IUCN Endangered and CITES Appendix III (China); use only certified farm-raised material and observe local wildlife-trade law. Substitutes such as Bie Jia (soft-shelled turtle carapace) or farmed-source plastron should be considered.
Gelatin / glue (Gui Ban Jiao)
Parts: Plastron (ventral shell)
Plastron is repeatedly decocted and the extract concentrated into a gelatin (glue) that is dissolved into strained warm decoction or melted separately, typically 3-9 g. Preferred when a richer Yin/Blood-nourishing effect is desired. Same conservation and legal cautions and substitute recommendations apply as for the raw plastron.
Clinical Studies
Metabolomic and lipidomic profiling of traditional Chinese medicine Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum and its substitutes
Comprehensive metabolomic and lipidomic characterization of tortoise plastron (Gui Ban) and candidate substitute materials, identifying amino acids, peptides, and lipids that distinguish authentic material and support quality control and sustainable substitution.
Historical Texts
Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica)
Eastern Han, c. 200 CEBen Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen
Ming dynasty, 1596References
- Xin M, Ping Y, Zhang Y, Zhang W, Zhang L, Zhang Y, Sheng W, Wang L, Mao W, Xiao L, Guo S, Hu H. Metabolomic and lipidomic profiling of traditional Chinese medicine Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum and its substitutes . Frontiers in Pharmacology (2025) [DOI]
- IUCN SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group. Mauremys reevesii (Reeves' Turtle) — Red List assessment (Endangered) . The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (2016) [DOI]
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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