Lumps in the abdomen treated with TCM turtle shell

What does a soft turtle shell mean(Bie Jia)? Also known as Carapax Amydae Sinensis or Carapax Trionycis, it refers to the shell of Trionyx Sinensis Wiegmann. Medicinally soft shell turtles can be captured throughout the year, especially in autumn and winter. Firstly, kill and place them in boiling water till the scleroderm can be peeled off easily from the carapace. Secondarily, take them out, separate them and get the carapace, remove the meat attached, and dry in the sun. Medicinally, the preferred one is drier, bigger, cleaner, and without remnant meat.

What is it used for?
Modern pharmacological experiment indicates that it has a number of benefits.
(1). Boost immune system, promote the production of immune gloulin, and prolong existence time of antibody;
(2). Inhibit the hyperplasia of animal connective tissue;
(3). Protect animal from liver injury, relieve anemia caused by liver failure, promote intrahepatic protein synthesis in animals, and increase the content of serum albumin.

So, turtle shell is mainly used for low-grade fever in diseases of chronic infection, tuberculosis, and tumor, etc; for chronic hepatitis, early hepatocirrhosis, and liver splenomegaly; for follow-up care after surgery for removing tumors and radiotherapy.

From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is salty and cold in nature and covers meridians of liver and spleen. Main functions are to nourish yin for suppressing hyperactive yang and soften and resolve hard mass. Main uses and indications are steaming bone, heat in consumptive disease, lumps in the abdomen caused by malarial pathogen, hard mass on upper flanks, lower back pain, and gynecological mass in abdomen due to Amenorrhea, etc. Usual dosage is 10 to 20 grams.