exploitation of wildlife for their use’.
And in just a single market in Dhaka,
Bangladesh, almost 100,000 wild-
caught turtles are butchered for
consumption during a one-day
religious holiday every year.
Likewise, there have been severe
consequences for other targeted
reptiles. The observed decline of
some species of crocodiles has been
driven by a high demand for their
skin, meat and body parts for
traditional medicine, and in Mexico,
rattlesnake populations have been
depleted under similar
circumstances.
Traditional and folk medicine and
religious traditions have no place in
our modern, technically-advanced
world. Certainly, there is no
justification for using reptiles of
conservation concern, and unless this
topic is addressed head-on, we stand
to lose many reptile species. The
solution is not to tiptoe around the
issue, but to confront these practices
for the cruelty and inefficacy they
embody. Unfounded beliefs need to
be dismantled and subject to ridicule,
evidence disseminated, and proven
cures provided. Social influences can
also be important (an example being
the successful condemnation of
shark fin consumption advocated by
Jackie Chan). Better access to
modern healthcare and education,
together with government interven-
tion can all contribute to helping
prevent reptiles from continuing to
suffer from this faith-based demand
for folk remedies.
References
Chinese Herbs Healing. Tokay Gecko
(Ge Jie). Available from: http://
www.chineseherbshealing.com/tokay-gecko/
da Nóbrega Alves, R. R., da Silva Vieira, W.
L., & Santana, G. G. (2008). Reptiles used in
traditional folk medicine: conservation impli-
cations. Biodiversity and Conservation, 17 (8),
2037-2049.
He, H., & Peng, X. (1999). Tentative survey
on snake market in Guangzhou. Sichuan J
Zool, 18 (3), 139-141.
Lee, David S. and Liao Shi Kun. 2014. As
effective as a mother's kiss – Turtles in tradi-
tional Chinese medicine. Radiata (English
edition). 23 (2): 4-29.
Roffey, M. 1993. Health: Lizards for asthma,
antlers for the kidneys: Chinese herbal medi-
cine is growing in popularity. The Independ-
ent. Available from: https://
www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-
families/health-news/health-lizards-for-asthma
-antlers-for-the-kidneys-chinese-herbal-
medicine-is-growing-in-popularity-
1465985.html
‘Chinese Herbs Healing: Art of
Herbal Remedies Revealed.’
(Extracts from a website with the above name concerning the
unbelievable properties of Tokay Gecko or Ge Jie).
‘One of valuable Chinese herbs....people believes that its urine is a deadly
poison but the consumption of gecko works like a charm on helping
deliver baby boy only and curing ED (erectile dysfunction) because their
mating tends to last as long as a few days.’
‘Gecko has proven itself with tons of health benefits....as a living and
emotional herb it has an obvious efficacy on supplying vital essence and
marrow. Because of that it is
frequently used by modern TCM
(traditional Chinese medicine)
practitioners for kidney deficiency-
induced impotence, premature
ejaculation, frequent urination,
nocturnal emission, marked
emaciation, and so on.’
‘The water-soluble portion ‘is able to
make the male mice’s testes gain
weight, which showed the male
hormone-like effect. In addition, it can
also make the vaginal opening hours
ahead in animals, which thus is
believed to act like two-way sex
hormones.’
‘Main functions include strengthening
lung and benefiting kidney, relieving
asthma and a cough, and supporting
Yang to boost essence. Main tokay gecko uses and indications are asthma
and cough due to lung-kidney deficiency, consumptive cough, blood
vomiting, kidney deficiency induced impotence, spermatorrhea, frequent
urination, diabetes, and so on. Recommended gecko dosage is from 3 to
6 grams in decoction, powder, and pills.’
The author does not cite a single study in support of these
‘proven’ benefits.