Plastrum Testudinis
Source
The plastron of Chinemys reevesil (Gray), family Testudinidae.
Characteristics
The plastron nearly elliptical, 8-15 cm long, 5-8 cm broad, outer surface
yellowish,
with purple striae; ventral surface with 12 abdominal plates, and winged
costal plates on both sides; truncate at the anterior end and with a triangular
gap at the posterior. Hard in texture. Sour and sweet in taste, slightly
cold in nature, and attributive to kidney and liver channels.
Indication
1. Nourish yin and suppress the sthenic yang: For yin-deficiency with
fire hyperactivity manifested as hectic fever, night sweat, noctumal emission,
dizziness and tinnitus, yin-deficiency with wind hyperactivity manifested
as convulsion.
2. Benefit kidney and invigorate bone: For hypofunction of liver and kidney
manifested as flaccidity of the waist and lower limbs, weakness of the
tendons and bones, delayed ability of standing and walking, 
delayed
growth of teeth and delayed closure of fontanel in infants.
3. Regulate menstruation and relieve metrorrhagia: For yin-deficiency
with blood-heat manifested as metrorrhagia, menorrhagia and leucorrhagia.
Pharmacologic
Action
1. Its decoction causes uterine contraction of rats in vitro.
2. Inhibiting the growth of Bacillus tuberculosis horn mis in vitro.
Administration Decoction: 10-30g (decocted first).