Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Turtle, particularly turtle shell (commonly referred to as "Gui Ban" or "Bie Jia" in Traditional Chinese Medicine), has a long history of use in East Asian herbal medicine. Traditionally, turtle shell is classified as a "yin tonic" and is used to nourish yin, anchor yang, and support various body systems, including the lungs. Its use for the lungs often centers on treating conditions such as chronic cough, asthma, or lung yin deficiency, where symptoms include dryness, cough, and weakness. Historical materia medica texts, such as the "Shennong Bencao Jing" and later compendiums, include turtle shell as an ingredient in formulas aimed at nourishing lung yin and alleviating respiratory symptoms.

However, there is little high-quality scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of turtle or turtle shell for lung health. Most modern studies focus on its mineral content and possible immunomodulatory effects, but they are limited, often preliminary, and do not specifically confirm benefits for the lungs. As such, the use of turtle for lung support is justified primarily by tradition rather than scientific validation. Furthermore, ethical and ecological concerns regarding the use of turtle products have led to calls for alternatives.

More about Turtle
More about Lungs

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mixed carotenoids
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orange
oregano
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pear
peppermint oil
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Albizia
Asafoetida
Andrographolide
Adrenergic amines
Agarwood
Astragaloside
Armillaria mellea
Andrographis
Alsonia scholaris
Ampelopsis
Asteracea
Acetylsalicylic acid
Adenophora
Anemarrhena
Allium tuberosum
Arisaema
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Apocynin
Astragalin
Animal protein
Bee Propolis
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Bryonia
Bai Ji
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Black spruce
Balsam
Brassica
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Boswellic Acid
Belleric myrobalan
Baccharis dracunculifolia
Barleria
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Basidiomycota
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Boswellia
Bethroot
Bletilla
Butterbur
Bee products
Black Nightshade
Bombax
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Borage
Bupleurum
Baicalin
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Boerhavia diffusa
Borneol
Bird's nest
Calycosin
Cod Liver Oil
Cortisol
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Codonopsis
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Cineole
Capsaicin
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Chinese Pond Turtle
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Cowherb
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Other body systems supported by Turtle

Kidneys
Liver
Lungs
Reproductive System
Skin

Products containing Turtle

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.