David S. Lee & Liao Shi
David S. Lee & Liao Shi Kun Fig. 18. Originally, the turtles used for Chinese medicine were for the largest part native Chinese species. Photo: T. Blanck Fig. 19. China has been importing turtles from the US since the late 1990’, including Common (Chelydra serpentina) and Alligator Snapping Turtles (Macrochelys temminckii). Photo: T. Blanck pressure, relieve rheumatism, to help with detoxification, and relieve hyperactivity of the liver and gallbladder issues. The meat of Leatherback, Dermochelys coriacea, and Green Turtles, Chelonia mydas, is used to cure the same ailments as the meat of hard shelled freshwater turtles. The three best-known species of turtles currently used for traditional medicine are Chinese Three-striped Box Turtles, Reeves’ turtles and Redeared Sliders. Even people who do not eat turtles or use them for medical purposes know of these three species. Other turtles used in the production of traditional medicines are now raised on turtle farms or imported. They include, but are not limited to, Chinese Stripe-necked Turtles (Mauremys sinensis), Southeast Asian Box Turtles (Cuora amboinensis), Four-eyed Turtles (Sacalia quadriocellata), Impressed Tortoises (Manouria impressa), and Elongated Tortoises (Indotestudo elongata). Originally turtles reported 12 RADIATA 23 (2), 2014
Turtles in Traditional Chinese Medicine to be used in Chinese medicine were locally available species, but other Southeast Asian species were also available through ancient trade routes. With modern transportation and a growing Chinese economy the numbers of turtles from adjacent Asian countries finding their way into markets became phenomenal. By the late 1990’s additional species were being imported from the United States and other overseas countries. Because of the belief that wild caught and native species had the greatest medical benefits, importation of farmed exotic species was slow to develop and became economically important only in the last decade as demand increased and local stocks or native species were depleted or extirpated. Common and popular turtle based medicines Turtle wine is used for treatment of impotence and the increase of sexual function. There are numerous brands Figs. 20. & 21. Florida Softshell Turtles (Apalone ferox) and Florida Red-bellied Turtles (Pseudemys nelsoni) – the photographs show specimens kept on Chinese turtle farms – feature amongst the species imported from the US. Photo: T. Blanck RADIATA 23 (2), 2014 13
