Biē Jiǎ (鳖甲), known in English as Soft-shell turtle carapace (Trionyx sinensis (carapace)), is a cool, salty Chinese herb from the Tonify yin category. It enters the Liver and Kidney channels. Its main action: nourishes Yin, anchors Yang — stronger for clearing deficiency Heat than Gui Ban.
| Pinyin | Biē Jiǎ (Bie Jia) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 鳖甲 |
| English | Soft-shell turtle carapace |
| Botanical name | Trionyx sinensis (carapace) |
| Category | Tonify yin |
| Nature | Cool |
| Flavour | Salty |
| Channels | Liver, Kidney |
| Dosage | 9–24g (decoct first) |
| Cautions | Pregnancy; Spleen deficiency with Cold-Damp |
Actions
- Nourishes Yin, anchors Yang — stronger for clearing deficiency Heat than Gui Ban
- Softens hardness, dissipates masses
Indications
- Yin deficiency steaming bone (primary herb)
- Chronic malaria with spleen enlargement
- Blood stasis masses and tumours
How to remember Biē Jiǎ
Tonify yin herbs are mostly cool or cold and sweet, and most enter the Kidney and Liver channels.
- You can work these out
- Cool, Liver and Kidney channels: like most Tonify yin herbs
- Learn by heart
- Salty: unusual for Tonify yin herbs (most are sweet)
Formulas containing Biē Jiǎ
Other Tonify yin herbs
- Mài Dōng
- Nǚ Zhēn Zǐ
- Gǒu Qǐ Zǐ
- Shēng Dì Huáng
- Tiān Dōng
- Yù Zhú
- Shí Hú
- Hàn Lián Cǎo
- Guī Bǎn
- Bǎi Hé
- Běi Shā Shēn
- Huáng Jīng
- Sāng Shèn
- Hēi Zhī Má
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Biē Jiǎ?
Biē Jiǎ is cool and salty.
Which channels does Biē Jiǎ enter?
Biē Jiǎ enters the Liver and Kidney channels.
What are the actions of Biē Jiǎ?
Nourishes Yin, anchors Yang — stronger for clearing deficiency Heat than Gui Ban; Softens hardness, dissipates masses.
What is Biē Jiǎ used for?
Yin deficiency steaming bone (primary herb); chronic malaria with spleen enlargement; Blood stasis masses and tumours.
Which formulas contain Biē Jiǎ?
Qīng Gǔ Sǎn and Dà Dìng Fēng Zhū.
Practise Biē Jiǎ and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.