Turtles are beloved animals, prized not only for their ornamental value but also for the high medicinal value of many species, which are beneficial to humans. This has led to the severe hunting and destruction of some wild turtle species. Below, we introduce ten turtles with high medicinal value: the Chinese pond turtle, the red-eared slider, the three-lined box turtle, the Chinese spotted turtle, the yellow-margined box turtle, the red-eared slider, the hawksbill turtle, the alligator snapping turtle, the Chinese soft-shelled turtle, and the big-headed turtle. These turtles are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, with their medicinal parts including meat, plastron, blood, and shell. They are believed to treat various ailments such as rheumatism, arthritis, anemia, and kidney tonification. Among them, the Chinese pond turtle and the red-eared slider are particularly valuable medicinally, earning them the title of "King of Turtles."
1. Chinese Pond Turtle
The Chinese pond turtle, also known as the black turtle, mud turtle, etc., is one of the most widely distributed turtle species in my country and enjoys extremely high popularity in the international market. Besides its ornamental value, it also has rich edible and medicinal value, and is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat various diseases. According to data, turtle meat contains a large amount of protein, fat, and inorganic salts; it is sweet in taste and neutral in nature, and can nourish yin and blood, and stop bleeding. Regular consumption of the Chinese pond turtle can have a nourishing effect on the body, especially suitable for people with weak constitutions, anemia, and qi deficiency. In addition, the Chinese pond turtle can also treat cough with shortness of breath, night sweats, yin deficiency and blood heat, hemoptysis, hematemesis, hematochezia, liver and kidney yin deficiency, and amenorrhea.
In terms of cooking, Chinese pond turtles are generally prepared using methods such as boiling in soup or steaming, resulting in not only delicious flavors but also extremely high nutritional value. However, it is important to note that Chinese pond turtles are wild animals, and their resources are becoming increasingly scarce. Therefore, people should avoid indiscriminate hunting and consumption.
2. Red-eared Slider
The red-eared slider, as one of the most popular ornamental turtles, not only has high ornamental value but also significant edible and medicinal value. It is understood that red-eared slider meat is tender and nutritious, making it an excellent tonic. In traditional Chinese medicine, red-eared sliders are widely used to treat various ailments, such as kidney yin deficiency, metrorrhagia, hemorrhoids, tuberculosis, hepatitis, rectal prolapse, and cancer. Its medicinal parts include the turtle meat and shell, which can help regulate the body and promote health.
In addition, the blood of the red-eared slider turtle has certain medicinal value, capable of suppressing asthma and bronchitis, and stabilizing and lowering blood pressure in patients with hypertension. Regular consumption of red-eared slider turtle can also help alleviate and prevent eye strain, thus playing a health-promoting role.
3. Three-lined Box Turtle
The Three-lined Box Turtle, also known as the Golden Coin Turtle, is a very precious freshwater turtle species in my country. It is understood that the Golden Coin Turtle is a Class II protected wild animal in China, and illegal hunting is subject to criminal penalties. In addition, the Golden Coin Turtle also has significant medicinal value.
The shell of the golden coin turtle is believed to improve physical constitution, nourish yin, clear heat and detoxify, and beautify the skin. It is also said to prevent and treat various diseases, effectively enhancing disease resistance and combating fatigue. Furthermore, it is believed to strengthen the lower back and kidneys, treat chronic gastritis, chronic pharyngitis, chronic oral ulcers, and chronic rhinitis, and regulate the immune system, boosting immunity and combating aging in those with sub-optimal mental health who suffer from excessive mental exertion.
4. Chinese Flower Turtle
The Chinese Flower Turtle, also known as the Taiwan Grass Turtle, Six-lined Grass Turtle, and Pearl Turtle, is mainly distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, and Taiwan in my country. It is understood that wild Chinese Flower Turtles are now endangered species, and illegal hunting is subject to criminal penalties. Therefore, people should protect wild populations and utilize them rationally and scientifically to ensure the sustainable use of this precious resource.
The Chinese flower turtle has tender meat, making it suitable for cooking, and is also used medicinally by some. Its plastron and other parts are used in traditional medicine to nourish yin and subdue yang, clearing deficiency heat, and are used to treat symptoms such as yin deficiency with internal heat, yang excess causing headaches, chronic cough with dry throat, seminal emission and impotence, metrorrhagia and leukorrhea, and lower back and knee weakness. Furthermore, the Chinese flower turtle is also believed to have beneficial effects on nourishing the body, protecting the liver, and enhancing immunity.
5. Yellow-margined Box Turtle
The Yellow-margined Box Turtle, also known as the Yellow-margined Box Turtle, is widely distributed in southern China, Japan, and other regions. It is understood that wild Yellow-margined Box Turtles are now a Class II protected wild animal in China, and illegal hunting is subject to criminal penalties. Therefore, people should protect wild populations and utilize them rationally and scientifically to ensure the sustainable use of this precious resource.
The plastron and charred whole shell of the Yellow-margined Box Turtle both have medicinal value. The plastron is believed to have the effects of nourishing yin and suppressing yang, and clearing deficiency heat. It is mainly used to treat symptoms such as fever due to yin deficiency, headache due to yang hyperactivity, chronic cough and dry throat, metrorrhagia and leukorrhea, seminal emission, and soreness of the waist and knees. The charred whole shell has the effects of promoting blood circulation, reducing swelling and detoxifying. It is mainly used to treat various diseases such as sore throat, scrofula, abscess, rheumatic pain, chronic osteomyelitis, bone and joint tuberculosis, and hypertrophic scoliosis.
6. Flame Turtle
The Red-eared Slider is a popular ornamental turtle species, mainly distributed in lakes, rivers, and ponds in North America. It is understood that the Red-eared Slider not only has high ornamental value but also possesses certain edible and medicinal value.
The meat of the Red-eared Slider is tender and nutritious, containing abundant protein, various vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, making it an excellent tonic, especially suitable for the elderly, weak, sick, and disabled. Furthermore, the shell and blood of the Red-eared Slider also possess medicinal value, believed to invigorate vital energy and alleviate weakness, and may play a role in preventing and treating various cancers, neurasthenia, anemia, and other chronic and intractable diseases.
7. Hawksbill turtle
The flat-shelled turtle, scientifically known as *Platychelys przewalskii*, is mainly distributed in southern my country and Southeast Asian countries. It is understood that both the shell and the meat of the flat-shelled turtle have certain medicinal value. The meat is sweet and delicious, rich in nutrients, and is a valuable tonic, with effects such as nourishing the lungs and kidneys, and therapeutic effects on tuberculosis patients. Furthermore, the plastron gelatin made from the flat shell of the flat-shelled turtle is also a high-grade nutritional supplement, which can treat kidney deficiency, impotence, forgetfulness, insomnia, stomach bleeding, high blood pressure, lung disease, and cirrhosis.
In addition, the paws of the hawksbill turtle are believed to have functions such as moisturizing the lungs, strengthening the stomach, tonifying the kidneys, and improving eyesight. Its oil and blood are also thought to be effective in treating asthma, bronchitis, and other ailments. Furthermore, the liver, stomach, gallbladder, and eggs of the hawksbill turtle can be used as medicinal materials, possessing nourishing properties.
8. Alligator snapping turtle
Alligator snapping turtles are a species of turtle that resembles an alligator and has a very imposing appearance. They mainly live in freshwater environments. In recent years, due to their ease of care and rapid growth, the artificial breeding industry for alligator snapping turtles has flourished. It is understood that alligator snapping turtle meat is not only delicious and odorless, but also has excellent nourishing properties. It can invigorate the Ren meridian, boost Yang energy, replenish Yin and blood, and benefit essence and Qi. It is effective for symptoms such as deficiency of essence and blood after prolonged illness, fatigue, weakness, and consumptive cough.
In addition, alligator snapping turtle meat is particularly suitable for postpartum recovery, those suffering from anemia and insomnia, and those experiencing mental decline. The shell of the alligator snapping turtle has anti-swelling properties, making it suitable for those with yin deficiency and blood deficiency caused by cancer, while the turtle's head also has certain medicinal value.
9. Chinese soft-shelled turtle
The Chinese soft-shelled turtle, also known as the turtle shell turtle, is widely distributed throughout my country. It is understood that soft-shelled turtle meat is rich in nutrients such as animal collagen, keratin, copper, and vitamin D, which can enhance the body's disease resistance and regulate the body's endocrine function. At the same time, soft-shelled turtle is also a good tonic, which can improve the quality of breast milk and enhance the immunity and intelligence of infants.
Turtle meat and its extracts can effectively prevent and inhibit liver cancer, stomach cancer, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and are used to treat weakness, anemia, and leukopenia caused by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Furthermore, turtle has a good blood-purifying effect; regular consumption can lower blood cholesterol, thus benefiting patients with hypertension and coronary heart disease. Turtle can also "replenish fatigue, strengthen yang energy, and greatly nourish yin deficiency," offering some auxiliary therapeutic effects for various diseases such as tuberculosis, anemia, and general weakness.
10. Big-headed turtle
The big-headed turtle, also known as the Chinese pond turtle, is a species endemic to my country, mainly distributed in Jiangsu, Hubei, and Guangxi provinces. It is understood that the big-headed turtle is a well-known species used for both medicinal and culinary purposes. Its meat is delicious and possesses properties such as nourishing yin and kidneys, clearing heat and detoxifying, benefiting the liver and strengthening bones, cooling the blood and stopping bleeding. It can be used to treat symptoms such as yin deficiency and yang deficiency, seminal emission and lower back pain, as well as blood deficiency and kidney deficiency, dizziness, irritability, insomnia, and weakness in the lower back and legs.
It is important to note that wild big-headed turtles are now a Class II protected aquatic wild animal in China, and illegal hunting will be subject to criminal penalties. To protect this precious species, we should respect the laws of nature, utilize resources rationally, and promote the artificial breeding of big-headed turtles through scientific methods such as breeding and aquaculture, so that people can continue to enjoy the rich nutritional and medicinal value of big-headed turtles without harming wild populations.
Due to overhunting and habitat destruction, these turtles are facing a severe survival crisis. Therefore, we should protect wild turtles, avoid indiscriminate hunting and killing, and allow them to survive healthily in their natural environment. Protecting wild turtles, utilizing them rationally, and breeding them scientifically are essential for the sustainable use of this precious resource. The list of the top ten turtles with high medicinal value was compiled by searching relevant online platforms and considering their popularity and influence. If you have any questions, please leave a comment or criticism.
