Zoological substancesTonifyingTestudinis Carapax et Plastrum Gelatin

Gui Ban Jiao (Tortoise Shell Gelatin)

Q: What is the usual dosage? Can it be eaten daily as a yin paste?

The pharmacopoeial dose is 3–9 g , melted and taken with the decoction. It is not a four-season “tortoise-glue yin paste.” Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold only clogs further as it cools. Tidal fever needs a practitioner to name a short course; it does not replace medical assessment.

Q: How do you choose and store Gui Ban Jiao?

Choose rectangular flat blocks, dark brown, hard and brittle, a glossy cut face, translucent against the light, a faintly fishy odor and a bland taste . Moldy, soft, scorched or dirty lots are discarded. Keep sealed, cool and dry. Buy pharmacopoeial Gui Jia Jiao; do not replace nourishing yin, nourishing Blood and stopping bleeding with undecoct shell or deer-horn glue by equal weight.

A practical guide to Gui Ban Jiao: what it is, how Traditional Chinese Medicine uses it, the classical formulas it appears in, and who should be careful with it.

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Last reviewed Oct 13, 2026

Quick Facts

Latin Name	Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum Gelatin
Chinese Name & Pinyin	龜板膠 · Gui Ban Jiao
Medicinal Part	Zoological substances
The herb	Gui Ban Jiao is glue boiled from the carapace and plastron of Chinemys reevesii. Gui Jia, E Jiao, and Lu Jiao Jiao are not the same glue. Melt it. Use a qualified source.
Nature and channels	Salty, sweet, cool. Enters the Liver, Kidney, and Heart. Salty sweetness nourishes yin and blood. Coolness stops bleeding.
Pharmacopoeia line	Nourishes yin. Nourishes blood. Stops bleeding. Used for yin-deficiency tidal heat, steaming bone and night sweat, sore lumbar region and knees, blood-deficiency sallow complexion, and flooding and leukorrhea.
Pattern cues	Tidal heat and night sweat. Steaming bone. Sore lumbar region and knees. Blood-deficiency sallow complexion. Flooding. Red tongue with little fluid.
In this article	Gui Ban Jiao versus Gui Jia, E Jiao, and Lu Jiao Jiao. Nourishing yin versus warming yang. Why a weak spleen should skip it. Why flooding needs a clinic. Who must skip it.

What Is Gui Ban Jiao?

Gui Ban Jiao, also called Gui Jia Jiao (龟甲胶; Guī Bǎn Jiāo; Latin: Testudinis Carapacis et Plastri Colla; English: tortoise plastron glue), is the solid glue made by decocting and concentrating the carapace and plastron of Chinemys reevesii (Gray). In Chinese medicine it is a yin-nourishing herb. It is salty, sweet, and cool, enters the Liver, Kidney, and Heart channels, and its core actions are to nourish yin, nourish blood, and stop bleeding. In a decoction it must be melted separately. It is not Gui Jia. The shell nourishes yin, subdues yang, boosts the Kidney, and strengthens bone. The glue leans more toward nourishing blood and stopping bleeding, and is melted into the decoction. It is not E Jiao. Donkey-hide glue nourishes blood, enriches yin, moistens dryness, and stops bleeding. Blood tonification is more specific. It is not Lu Jiao Jiao. Deer antler glue is sweet, salty, and warm. It warms and tonifies Liver and Kidney. Use a qualified source only. Do not boil wild shell at home. A cold weak spleen and damp loose stools are a poor match. Flooding needs pattern diagnosis. Heat driving blood should not meet this glue alone.

It is used most often for three patterns:

Yin-deficiency tidal heat — steaming bone, night sweat, sore lumbar region and knees
Blood-deficiency sallow complexion
Flooding and leukorrhea — yin deficiency with heat; seek care

The usual dose is 3–9 g, melted. Salty, sweet, and cool, it is not a daily “yin tortoise glue” to keep increasing. A greasy coating and loose stools get more stagnant if more enrichment is added.

When Liver and Kidney yin are deficient and blood does not nourish the collaterals, tidal heat, night sweat, and deficiency-heat flooding are common. Gui Ban Jiao is salty, sweet, and cool. It nourishes and stops bleeding, which is why it appears in Da Bu Yin Wan–type pairings. It cools and enriches more than it moves. Middle-cold diarrhea gets worse if more is added.

Gui Ban Jiao is not a catch-all yin or bleeding glue. In middle-cold dampness, or in excess-heat bleeding, using it alone can cloy the diaphragm or trap the pathogen. Whether it belongs in a formula should be decided by a licensed Chinese medicine practitioner after pattern diagnosis and confirmation of the source.

Gui Ban Jiao: Materia Medica Profile

Identification & Quality Standard

Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum Gelatin

Botanical Origin

The glue prepared by decocting the carapace and plastron of Chinemys reevesii (Gray) (Emydidae).

Production Regions

Produced in workshops of Hubei, Anhui, Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

Quality Requirements

Superior material is translucent brown, clean, and free of a burnt smell.

Macroscopic Features

Rectangular tablets, brownish and translucent; hard; faint odor, slightly sweet.

Growing Regions and Quality Identification

Traditionally, the highest quality comes from provinces like Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Hubei, where the environment is ideal for these turtles.

Quality Check: Good Gui Ban Jiao (Tortoise Shell Glue) comes in rectangular or square blocks. It should be dark brown, smooth, and slightly glossy. When held up to the light, the edges appear semi-translucent. It is hard but brittle, with a glossy cross-section, a very faint fishy smell, and a mild taste.
Don't Mix Them Up: Fake or low-quality versions are often made from other types of turtles or cheap animal hide glues. These fakes are usually lighter in color, lack a glossy shine, and have either no smell or a strange, unpleasant odor.

Traditional Properties & Historical Lineage

Nature, Flavour & Channel Tropism

Sweet, Salty; ColdLiverKidney

1. Historical Records

Ancient TCM texts highly valued this ingredient:

The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica classified it as a top-tier herb for various weaknesses and physical heaviness.
Miscellaneous Records of Famous Physicians noted its use for deep "bone cold and heat," chronic fatigue, and mental clarity.
The Compendium of Materia Medica highlighted its ability to treat lower back and leg pain.

2. Evolution of Herbal Understanding

Over time, TCM doctors refined their understanding of Gui Ban Jiao (Tortoise Shell Glue):

Tonic Focus: Some doctors emphasize its ability to nourish Kidney essence, making it great for chronic lower back soreness, weak knees, and low energy.
Cooling Focus: Others highlight its cooling properties, using it for chronic low-grade fevers and night sweats.
Important Warning: Doctors eventually agreed on its boundaries—because it is cold and heavy, people with a "cold" Spleen and Stomach (those who easily get diarrhea, bloating, or feel cold) should not use it alone, as it can worsen their digestive issues.

Core Efficacies & Traditional Applications

Traditional Functions

Nourishes yin, anchors yang, and supplements blood. Apply to yin-deficiency heat, steaming bone, and bleeding from yin deficiency.

1. Main Focus: Nourishing Yin and Moistening Dryness

What it does: Traditionally, it nourishes Yin fluids to relieve dryness caused by a lack of internal cooling energy (Yin deficiency).
When it is used: It is ideal for chronic dry mouth and lips, dry skin, and hard stools. This is often accompanied by warm palms and soles, night sweats, and a red tongue with little coating.
Common Pairings: To enhance its moistening effects, it is often paired with Shi Hu (Dendrobium) or Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber). To help clear "deficient heat," it is combined with Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena Rhizome).
When to Avoid: If you have a "cold" digestive system (frequent diarrhea, stomachaches, or easily feeling cold), do not use this herb. Its cold, heavy nature can worsen your digestive issues.

2. Second Focus: Benefiting the Kidneys and Replenishing Essence

What it does: It supplements Kidney essence to address deep-rooted physical weakness and fatigue.
When it is used: Common traditional indicators include a weak or sore lower back and knees, dizziness, ringing in the ears, memory loss, or reproductive issues (like very light menstrual flow).
Common Pairings: It is frequently combined with Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berry) or Tu Si Zi (Dodder Seed) to strengthen the Kidney's restorative powers.
When to Avoid: Avoid using it if you have an active cold, fever, or signs of "excess heat" (like mouth sores or severe constipation accompanied by a high fever). Using it then can trap the sickness inside the body.

3. Common Herb Pairings: The Yin-Yang Balance

The Classic Duo: Gui Ban Jiao (Tortoise Shell Glue) is famously paired with Lu Jiao Jiao (Deer Horn Glue).
How they work: Gui Ban Jiao (Tortoise Shell Glue) focuses on nourishing Yin and clearing heat, while Lu Jiao Jiao (Deer Horn Glue) warms the Yang and invigorates blood circulation.
Together: They balance the Kidney's Yin and Yang, preventing either herb from being too extreme. This is perfect for complex cases where a person might have both hot palms and cold feet, along with severe fatigue.
Caution: Because this requires a precise balancing of Yin and Yang, this pair must be customized by a TCM professional and should not be mixed at home.

Modern Research

Modern research offers useful context, but Traditional Chinese Medicine prescribes on whole-pattern diagnosis rather than isolated compounds.

1. Main Chemical Components

Modern science shows that the shell extract is rich in collagen, various amino acids (like aspartic acid and serine), and minerals like calcium and phosphorus. Lab tests show these amino acids might influence cell growth, while animal tests suggest the glue may help regulate immune function and bone metabolism.

2. Modern Pharmacological Focus

Current Western-style research mostly looks at two areas:

Immune System: How it potentially regulates the activity of certain immune cells.
Bone Health: How it might improve markers related to bone metabolism.
Note: These are still basic animal studies; human clinical trials are needed to confirm these effects.

3. Limitations of Current Research

Keep these points in mind when reading modern studies:

Lab vs. Real Life: Results in a petri dish or in mice do not perfectly match how a human body will react.
Extracts vs. Whole Herbs: Lab tests often use single, isolated compounds. In daily TCM practice, the whole, processed glue block is used, which works very differently.
Inconsistent Methods: Different studies use different processing techniques, making it hard to compare results.
Synergy: In TCM, the healing power comes from the natural combination of all the ingredients working together, not just one isolated mineral or amino acid.

Comparing Similar Herbs

1. What They Have in Common

Both Gui Ban Jiao (Tortoise Shell Glue) and Bie Jia Jiao (Soft-Shelled Turtle Glue) nourish the Liver and Kidneys. They are both used for "deficiency" patterns and are popular in autumn and winter wellness routines. Both are dense glues that require careful attention to your digestive health.

2. The Core Differences

Nature and Flavor: Both are cold in nature. However, Gui Ban Jiao (Tortoise Shell Glue) is sweet and salty, making it a stronger tonic for building the body up. Bie Jia Jiao (Soft-Shelled Turtle Glue) is purely salty, giving it a stronger ability to soften hard masses.
Primary Strength: Gui Ban Jiao (Tortoise Shell Glue) excels at nourishing Yin, moisturizing dryness, and replenishing Kidney essence. Bie Jia Jiao (Soft-Shelled Turtle Glue) is much better at clearing chronic "deficient heat" and softening nodules or lumps in the body.
Action Mechanism: Gui Ban Jiao (Tortoise Shell Glue) is heavy and descending, focusing on anchoring and building up fluids. Bie Jia Jiao (Soft-Shelled Turtle Glue) has a slight "dispersing" action to gently move stagnant energy caused by heat.
Key Indicators: Use Gui Ban Jiao (Tortoise Shell Glue) for dryness, night sweats, and memory loss. Use Bie Jia Jiao (Soft-Shelled Turtle Glue) if you have chronic low-grade fevers or physical lumps in the abdomen or ribs.
Contraindications: Gui Ban Jiao (Tortoise Shell Glue) might cause indigestion in a weak stomach, while Bie Jia Jiao (Soft-Shelled Turtle Glue) is more likely to cause diarrhea. Neither should be used during an active cold.

3. The One-Sentence Summary

In short, Gui Ban Jiao (Tortoise Shell Glue) is a daily tonic for nourishing Yin and resolving dryness, while Bie Jia Jiao (Soft-Shelled Turtle Glue) is specialized for clearing chronic heat and softening masses in complex conditions.

Classical Formulas Containing Gui Ban Jiao

Zuo Gui Wan

左歸丸

Formula CategoryYin-Tonifying FormulasPrimary PatternKidney Yin DeficiencyPrimary FunctionEnrich Yin, tonify Kidney, replenish essence and marrowRelated ConditionsNight Sweats

View Formula Profile Read Complete Guide

Formulas vs. Single Herbs

Synergy is Key: A formula is a balanced team. The healing power comes from how the herbs interact, so a single herb cannot simply replicate a full formula's effects.
Holistic Balance: The exact dosage and combination in a formula affect the entire body. Never try to mix or alter these formulas at home based on internet articles.

Diet & Daily Home Use

1. Home Teas and Recipes

Recipe: Gui Ban Jiao, Lotus Seed, and Snow Fungus Soup
- Ingredients: 3g Gui Ban Jiao (Tortoise Shell Glue), 10g dried lotus seeds, 5g dried snow fungus, a little rock sugar.
- How to make: Soak and tear the snow fungus into pieces. Soak the lotus seeds and remove their green cores. Boil the fungus in water for 30 minutes until soft. Add the lotus seeds and boil for 10 more minutes. Finally, stir in the Gui Ban Jiao (Tortoise Shell Glue) and rock sugar until fully melted.
- When to use: Great for autumn/winter dryness, dry mouth, mild night sweats, or general fatigue.
- When to avoid: Do not eat if you have a cold digestive system, frequent diarrhea, or an active cold/fever.
- Frequency: Keep it to 1-2 times a week. Note: This is a medicinal product, not a standard food—do not increase the dose randomly.

2. Decoction and Preparation Differences

Melting (Yang Hua): Raw Gui Ban Jiao (Tortoise Shell Glue) is hard and won't dissolve easily. It must be melted separately in a small bowl with warm water over a hot water bath, then stirred into your strained herbal tea.
Stir-Baked: The stir-baked version is puffier and dissolves faster, but still needs to be monitored so it doesn't stick to the pot.
Cooking Warning: Never boil these glues directly with other raw herbs for a long time, or they will burn and stick to the bottom, ruining the medicine and the pot.

3. Dosage and Usage Cycle

Clinical Dosage: Traditionally 3-10g per day, adjusted by a professional.
Dietary Dosage: For home recipes, use 3g or less to keep it gentle.
Cycle: Use for short periods (1-2 weeks). Do not take it continuously long-term without asking a doctor. Pregnant/nursing women and children must consult a doctor before any use.

Contraindications & Safety Warnings

1. Who Should Avoid It

Weak Digestion: People with a cold stomach, frequent diarrhea, or loose stools will find this heavy glue too difficult to digest.
Pregnant and Nursing Women: Due to a lack of complete safety data, always consult a doctor first.
Children: Their digestive and organ systems are still developing; use only under strict medical supervision.
Liver/Kidney Issues: If you have compromised organ function, consult a doctor to avoid adding extra metabolic burden.
Allergies: Do not use if you are allergic to turtles or related animal products.
Medication Users: If you are on special medical treatments, check with a doctor first to avoid interactions.

2. Drug Interactions and Dietary Notes

Medication Conflicts: Gui Ban Jiao (Tortoise Shell Glue) might interact with blood thinners (increasing bleeding risk), blood pressure medications, or blood sugar drugs. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist if you are on prescriptions.
Dietary Rules: Avoid taking it simultaneously with other random herbs or medications without professional advice to ensure it absorbs properly.

3. Adverse Reactions and Overdose Risks

Possible Side Effects: Taking too much or using it with a weak stomach can cause bloating, loss of appetite, or loose stools. Rarely, some may experience skin rashes or itching.
What to Do: If you experience allergic reactions, persistent vomiting, breathing trouble, or a sudden worsening of symptoms, stop using it immediately and seek medical help.
Overdose: Stick strictly to recommended doses. Overloading your system with this heavy tonic will cause severe digestive distress rather than better health.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gui Ban Jiao

What is Gui Ban Jiao? Are Gui Jia, E Jiao and Lu Jiao Jiao the same?

Official Gui Jia Jiao (龟甲胶), commonly called Gui Ban Jiao (龟板胶), is the solid glue made by decocting and concentrating tortoise shell. The pharmacopoeial name is Testudinis Carapaxis et Plastri Colla. The source is the carapace and plastron of Chinemys reevesii. Gui Jia is the shell: it is decocted first and also subdues yang. E Jiao is donkey-hide glue: sweet and neutral, supplements Blood, nourishes yin, moistens dryness and stops bleeding. Lu Jiao Jiao is sweet-salty and warm: warms and supplements the Liver and Kidney, boosts essence and nourishes Blood. Write Gui Jia Jiao or Gui Ban Jiao. Use caution in Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold.

What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Gui Ban Jiao?

According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, tortoise-shell glue is salty, sweet and cool, enters the Liver, Kidney and Heart channels, and acts to nourish yin, nourish Blood and stop bleeding. It is used for yin-vacuity tidal fever, steaming-bone night sweats, sore weak waist and knees, Blood-vacuity sallow complexion, and flooding, spotting and vaginal discharge. Salty-sweet, cool and cloying, it suits insufficiency of yin and Blood—not Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold, poor appetite or loose stool.

How do you choose glue versus shell? Can E Jiao replace it?

The glue is boiled from the shell. Nourishing yin, nourishing Blood and stopping bleeding are more concentrated, and it must be melted. The shell is decocted first and also nourishes yin, subdues yang, boosts the Kidney and strengthens bone. Donkey-hide glue leans to supplementing Blood, moistening the Lung and stopping bleeding; it cannot replace nourishing the Kidney and subduing yang by equal weight. Commercial tortoise jelly is not equal-weight pieces.

What is the usual dosage? Can it be eaten daily as a yin paste?

The pharmacopoeial dose is 3–9 g, melted and taken with the decoction. It is not a four-season “tortoise-glue yin paste.” Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold only clogs further as it cools. Tidal fever needs a practitioner to name a short course; it does not replace medical assessment.

What are the contraindications? Can it be used in pregnancy?

Unsuitable in Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold, poor appetite and loose stool. Pregnancy needs a practitioner’s assessment. Stop if distension, diarrhea or loss of appetite appears. Heavy flooding and high fever need medical care.

Can Gui Ban Jiao nourish yin, nourish Blood and stop bleeding?

It can help yin-vacuity tidal fever and Blood-vacuity sallow complexion. Steaming bone and night sweats join prepared rehmannia, anemarrhena and phellodendron in a Da Bu Yin Wan type formula; the original uses plastron, and the glue may be melted in. It nourishes yin, nourishes Blood and stops bleeding—not a specific for every tidal fever or every flooding.

Can Gui Ban Jiao be eaten daily as a yin, Blood or bleeding paste?

Insufficiency of yin and Blood may enter a short formula; Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold only clogs further as it cools. “Tortoise glue must supplement the Kidney” does not replace pattern differentiation. Nourishing yin, nourishing Blood and stopping bleeding should name 3–9 g, melted and taken with the decoction.

How do you choose among Gui Ban Jiao, Gui Jia, E Jiao, Lu Jiao Jiao and Bie Jia?

Tortoise-shell glue is salty-sweet and cool: nourishes yin, nourishes Blood and stops bleeding—yin-vacuity tidal fever and flooding, and it must be melted. Tortoise shell is salty-sweet and cold: nourishes yin, subdues yang, boosts the Kidney and strengthens bone—yin vacuity with yang hyperactivity, and it is decocted first. Donkey-hide glue is sweet and neutral: supplements Blood, nourishes yin, moistens dryness and stops bleeding—Blood vacuity and Lung dryness. Deer-horn glue is sweet-salty and warm: warms and supplements the Liver and Kidney, boosts essence and nourishes Blood—yang vacuity and essence depletion. Turtle shell is salty and slightly cold: nourishes yin, subdues yang, reduces fever, clears steaming bone, softens hardness and disperses nodules—yin-vacuity steaming bone and masses. Yin and Blood depletion favor Gui Ban Jiao; yang hyperactivity favors shell decocted first; Blood vacuity and Lung dryness favor E Jiao; yang vacuity favors Lu Jiao Jiao; masses favor Bie Jia. They may be paired after pattern differentiation; Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold forbids large Gui Ban Jiao and Bie Jia, and yang vacuity should not replace deer-horn glue with tortoise glue.

Which herbs is Gui Ban Jiao combined with? What are the representative formulas?

Steaming bone and night sweats join prepared rehmannia, anemarrhena and phellodendron in a Da Bu Yin Wan type formula. Yin-vacuity wind stirring may join donkey-hide glue, raw rehmannia and turtle shell in a modified Da Ding Feng Zhu. Write Gui Jia Jiao 3–9 g, melted and taken with the decoction; do not replace nourishing yin with deer-horn glue by equal weight.

How do you choose and store Gui Ban Jiao?

Choose rectangular flat blocks, dark brown, hard and brittle, a glossy cut face, translucent against the light, a faintly fishy odor and a bland taste. Moldy, soft, scorched or dirty lots are discarded. Keep sealed, cool and dry. Buy pharmacopoeial Gui Jia Jiao; do not replace nourishing yin, nourishing Blood and stopping bleeding with undecoct shell or deer-horn glue by equal weight.

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Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.