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Ge Jie蛤蚧

Gecko · Gecko · Tokay Gecko

Herbs that Tonify the Yang 补阳药《雷公炮炙论》

Overview

A dried gecko, traditionally supplied and used as a male-female pair. Salty and neutral, it tonifies the Lung and the Kidney together, and its particular niche is the chronic wheeze in which the Kidney no longer grasps the qi — breathlessness that is worse on exertion and better at rest. It also warms Kidney yang and boosts essence.

Nature & Flavor

Salty · Neutral

Channels

Lung · Kidney

Typical Dosage

5–10 g in decoction
蛤蚧Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

2 core actions

  • Tonifies the Lung and Kidney, grasps the qiLong-standing cough and wheeze with shortness of breath on exertion, worse over years, where tonifying rather than dispersing is called for.
  • Assists yang, boosts essenceKidney yang deficiency with impotence, frequent night urination and a weak, cold lower back.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Ge Jie

No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Chronic wheeze and shortness of breath on exertion
    - Long-standing cough of Lung and Kidney deficiency
    - Impotence and frequent urination from Kidney yang deficiency
    - Weak, cold lower back and knees

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseChronic asthmaErectile dysfunctionNocturia

Contraindications

Cautions

Warming and consolidating: not for acute cough or wheeze caused by an exterior pathogen, and not for phlegm-heat, where it would hold the pathogen in. This is an animal-derived product — unsuitable for vegetarian patients and for anyone who avoids animal medicines, and it should be sourced only from a supplier able to document legal, CITES-compliant provenance. Its use should be discussed with the patient before it is dispensed.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Not a classical prohibition, but a strongly warming animal tonic should be used in pregnancy only under practitioner supervision.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    2. 《中华人民共和国药典》.
    3. 《中华本草》 (Zhonghua Ben Cao).

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.