English: Donkey-hide gelatin
Chinese: 阿胶
Use of E Jiao (donkey-hide gelatin) in TCM
Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitioner, they will be best able to guide you.
Preparation: The donkey skin is soaked in water to soften it and the hair are removed. The skin is then chopped into small pieces, put in boiling water and the gelatin is separated from the skin. The gelatin is boiled further and then left to cool down and ultimately dry into solidified pieces.
Dosage: 3 - 15 grams
Main actions according to TCM*: Tonifies and nourishes Blood. Stops bleeding. Moistens and lubricates Yin.
Primary conditions or symptoms for which E Jiao may be prescribed by TCM doctors*: Dizziness Pale face Palpitations Bloody sputum Blood in stools Abnormal uterine bleeding Insomnia Irritability Anemia Dry cough Hemoptysis Hematemesis Hematuria Excessive menstrual discharge
Contraindications*: Not for External conditions or conditions associated with Dampness caused by Spleen Deficiency.
Common TCM formulas in which E Jiao is used*
E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang
Source date: the Qing dynasty
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Formula key actions: Nourishes Yin. Nourishes Blood. Calms the Liver. Extinguishes Wind.
Conditions targeted*: EncephalitisMeningitis and others
E Jiao is a king ingredient in E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang, E Jiao is heavy and thick. It nourishes the Yin and Blood, expels Wind, sedates the Yang, augments the Yin Body Fluids, and moistens the sinews .
Huang Lian E Jiao Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Formula key actions: Enriches the Yin. Causes Fire to descend. Eliminates irritability. Calms the spirit.
Conditions targeted*: Nervous exhaustionAutonomic dystonia and others
E Jiao is a king ingredient in Huang Lian E Jiao Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Huang Lian E Jiao Tang, E Jiao indirectly controls the Heart Fire by enriching the Yin and nourishing the Blood
Bu Fei E Jiao Tang
Source date: 1119 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Formula key actions: Nourishes the Yin. Controls coughing. Stops bleeding. Tonifies the Lungs.
Conditions targeted*: Chronic bronchitisBronchiectasis and others
E Jiao is a king ingredient in Bu Fei E Jiao Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Bu Fei E Jiao Tang, E Jiao nourishes the Yin and tonifies the Lungs, stops the bleeding, and nourishes the Blood.
Key TCM concepts behind E Jiao's properties
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), E Jiao belongs to the 'Herbs that invigorate the Blood' category. Like the name indicates these herbs tend to stimulate the Blood flow. In TCM they're used to help the circulation of Blood in cardiovascular conditions or menstrual irregularities as well as to treat acute pains caused by Blood Stagnation. They can also be used to treat Blood Stagnation when it causes certain tumors, cysts and hardened clots.
Furthermore E Jiao is Neutral in nature. This means that E Jiao typically doesn't affect the balance in your body. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Eating too many "Hot" (Yang) ingredients can lead to an imbalance whereby one has a Yang Excess. The inverse is true as well: too many "Cold" (Yin) ingredients can lead to a Yin Excess. The Neutral nature of E Jiao means that you don't have to worry about that!
E Jiao also tastes Sweet. The so-called 'Five Phases' theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Sweet ingredients like E Jiao tends to slow down acute reactions and detoxify the body. They also have a tonic effect because they replenish Qi and Blood.
The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what Organs and Meridians they target. As such E Jiao is thought to target the Kidney, the Liver and the Lung. According to TCM, the Kidneys do not only regulate the urinary system but also play a key role in the reproductive system and the growth and aging process of the body. The Liver on the other hand is often referred as the body's "general" because it is in charge of regulating the movements of Qi and the Body Fluids. It also takes a leading role in balancing our emotions. In addition to performing respiration, the Lungs are thought in TCM to be a key part of the production chain for Qi and the Body Fluids that nourish the body.