Ingredient Animal — part (动物部分 dòng wù bù fèn)

Ji Nei Jin

Chicken gizzard lining · 鸡内金

Gallus gallus domesticus Brisson · Endothelium Corneum Gigeriae Galli

Also known as: Ji Zhun Pi (鸡肫皮), Ji Huang Pi (鸡黄皮), Ji Shi Pi (鸡食皮),

Ji Nei Jin (Chicken gizzard lining) plant

Images shown are for educational purposes only

Ji Nei Jin is the dried inner lining of the chicken gizzard, one of the most popular digestive aids in Chinese medicine. It is widely used for indigestion, bloating, poor appetite, and childhood nutritional deficiencies. It is also valued for its ability to help dissolve urinary and gallbladder stones and to address bedwetting in children.

Category Food stagnation-relieving herbs (消食药)
Therapeutic focus Digestive Health Urinary Health Liver and Gallbladder Health Pediatric nutrition

TCM Properties

Temperature

Neutral

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān)

Channels entered

Spleen, Stomach, Small Intestine, Urinary Bladder

Parts used

Animal — part (动物部分 dòng wù bù fèn)

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Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment

What This Ingredient Does

Every ingredient has a specific set of actions — here's what Ji Nei Jin does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

In practical terms, Ji Nei Jin is primarily used to support these areas of health:

Digestive Health Urinary Health Liver and Gallbladder Health Pediatric nutrition

TCM Actions

In TCM terminology, these are the specific therapeutic actions that Ji Nei Jin performs to restore balance in the body:

Promotes Digestion and Resolves Food Stagnation Strengthens the Spleen Secures Essence and Stops Enuresis Softens hardness and dissolves stones Resolves Food Stagnation and Transforms Accumulations

How these actions work

'Promotes digestion and resolves food stagnation' is the primary action of Ji Nei Jin. It strongly breaks down accumulated undigested food in the Stomach and intestines, relieving symptoms like bloating, fullness, poor appetite, and nausea after eating. It is effective for stagnation of all food types, including grains, starches, dairy, and meat. For mild cases, the powder alone can be sufficient; for more stubborn food stagnation, it is combined with other digestive herbs like Shan Zha (hawthorn) and Mai Ya (barley sprout).

'Invigorates the Spleen's transport function' means Ji Nei Jin does more than just break down food. It actively strengthens the Spleen's ability to transform food into usable nourishment for the body. This makes it especially valuable for childhood malnutrition (gan ji), where the Spleen is weak and food accumulates rather than being properly absorbed. The famous physician Zhang Xichun noted that pairing Ji Nei Jin with Bai Zhu (white atractylodes) creates a powerful combination that both dissolves stagnation and strengthens digestion simultaneously.

'Secures essence and stops enuresis' refers to the herb's ability to restrain and consolidate the body's vital substances in the lower body. It is used for bedwetting in children, frequent urination, and involuntary seminal emission. This action relates to its entry into the Urinary Bladder channel. The stir-fried (chao) form is preferred for this purpose.

'Softens hardness and dissolves stones' is an action inspired by the gizzard's natural ability to grind down pebbles and hard materials in the chicken's digestive tract. In TCM, the raw form of Ji Nei Jin is used to help dissolve and expel gallstones, kidney stones, and bladder stones. It is commonly paired with Jin Qian Cao (Lysimachia) for this purpose.

'Transforms accumulations' extends beyond food stagnation to include masses and stagnation anywhere in the body. Zhang Xichun emphasized that Ji Nei Jin can address abdominal masses in both men and women, and even stagnation in the meridians in chronic wasting conditions. For this action, the raw form must be used.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony. Ji Nei Jin is used to help correct these specific patterns.

Why Ji Nei Jin addresses this pattern

Ji Nei Jin is one of the strongest herbs for resolving food stagnation. Its sweet, neutral nature enters the Spleen and Stomach channels directly, where it powerfully breaks down accumulated food that the weakened Spleen and Stomach have failed to transform. Unlike purely draining digestive herbs, Ji Nei Jin simultaneously supports the Spleen's transport function, making it suitable even when food stagnation coexists with underlying Spleen weakness. Zhang Xichun noted that it can dissolve stagnation throughout the body, not just in the digestive tract.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Post-Surgical Constipation And Bloating

Abdominal distension and fullness after meals

Poor Appetite

Reduced desire to eat

Nausea

Nausea or vomiting of undigested food

Belching

Sour, foul-smelling belching

Commonly Used For

These are conditions where Ji Nei Jin is frequently used — but only when they arise from the specific patterns it addresses, not in all cases

Arises from: Blood Stagnation Spleen Qi Deficiency

TCM Interpretation

TCM views indigestion as a failure of the Spleen and Stomach to carry out their core function of transforming and transporting food. When food sits in the Stomach undigested, it creates what is called 'food stagnation' (shi ji). This can arise acutely from simply eating too much, or chronically from a weak Spleen that cannot keep up with normal dietary demands. Over time, unresolved food stagnation generates turbid Dampness and even Heat, further burdening the digestive system. Children are especially susceptible because their Spleen function is not yet fully developed.

Why Ji Nei Jin Helps

Ji Nei Jin directly addresses indigestion through two complementary mechanisms. First, it powerfully dissolves accumulated food in the Stomach and intestines, regardless of the food type. Second, it invigorates the Spleen's transport function, so the body can actually process the food rather than just moving it along. This dual action makes it uniquely effective compared to herbs that only drain stagnation or only tonify the Spleen. Its sweet, neutral nature means it is gentle enough for children and the elderly, and it does not create additional Heat or Cold in the body.

Also commonly used for

Post-Surgical Constipation And Bloating

Abdominal distension after eating

Poor Appetite

Chronic loss of appetite from Spleen weakness

Kidney Stones

Used raw to help dissolve and promote passage of stones

Spermatorrhea

Involuntary seminal emission from Kidney deficiency

Nausea

Nausea and vomiting from food stagnation

Diarrhea

Chronic diarrhea with undigested food from Spleen deficiency

Frequent Urination

Frequent urination from weak Kidney Qi

Ingredient Properties

Every ingredient has an inherent temperature, taste, and affinity for specific channels — these properties determine how it interacts with the body

Temperature

Neutral

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān)

Channels Entered

Spleen Stomach Small Intestine Urinary Bladder

Parts Used

Animal — part (动物部分 dòng wù bù fèn)

Dosage & Preparation

These are general dosage guidelines for Ji Nei Jin — always follow your practitioner's recommendation, as dosages vary based on the formula and your individual condition

Standard dosage

3-10g

Maximum dosage

Up to 15g in decoction for severe food stagnation or stone conditions, under practitioner guidance. When taken as ground powder (which is considered more effective), the typical maximum is 3g per dose, 2-3 times daily.

Dosage notes

Ji Nei Jin is considered significantly more effective when taken as ground powder (yan mo tun fu) rather than decocted in water. This is because its active components, including ventriculin and trace digestive enzymes, may be degraded by prolonged boiling. When taken as powder, the standard dose is 1.5-3g per dose. In decoction, 3-10g is used. For dissolving urinary or biliary stones, the raw (unprocessed) form is preferred, typically 3g powder taken 2-3 times daily with warm water, often combined with Jin Qian Cao decoction. For strengthening the Spleen, stopping diarrhea, or treating enuresis, the dry-fried (chao) or sand-fried (sha chao) form is preferred. Vinegar-processed Ji Nei Jin (cu ji nei jin) is favored when Liver-Spleen disharmony with poor digestion is the pattern.

Preparation

Ji Nei Jin is more effective when taken as ground powder (1.5-3g swallowed with warm water) rather than decocted, as prolonged boiling can degrade its enzyme components. If used in decoction, it should be added in the last 10-15 minutes of cooking rather than boiled for the full duration. When used for dissolving stones, the raw (unprocessed) form ground to powder is preferred. For other indications, the dry-fried or sand-fried form is standard.

Processing Methods

In TCM, the same ingredient can be prepared in different ways to change its effects — here's how processing alters what Ji Nei Jin does

Processing method

Dry stir-fried over medium heat until the pieces puff up and become crispy and golden-yellow or slightly scorched.

How it changes properties

Stir-frying makes Ji Nei Jin crispy and easier to grind into powder. It develops an aromatic quality and a slightly astringent taste. The food-dissolving power is redirected toward strengthening the Spleen and stopping diarrhea. The astringent property is enhanced, making it better for securing essence and stopping enuresis. It loses some of the raw form's ability to dissolve stones and transform hard accumulations.

When to use this form

Preferred for everyday digestive weakness, Spleen Deficiency diarrhea, poor appetite, and for treating enuresis or seminal emission. This is the most commonly used clinical form.

Common Ingredient Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with Ji Nei Jin for enhanced therapeutic effect

Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu 1:2 (Ji Nei Jin : Bai Zhu), e.g. Ji Nei Jin 6g : Bai Zhu 12g

Ji Nei Jin dissolves food stagnation and activates the Spleen's transport, while Bai Zhu tonifies and strengthens Spleen Qi. Together they simultaneously eliminate accumulated stagnation and rebuild the Spleen's digestive power. Zhang Xichun considered this pairing essential, calling it both 'a key remedy for dissolving stagnation' and 'a wonderful formula for strengthening the Spleen and Stomach.'

When to use: Chronic digestive weakness with food stagnation, especially when poor appetite and loose stools coexist with bloating and fullness. Also used in childhood malnutrition (gan ji). This is the core of Zhang Xichun's Yi Pi Bing (Spleen-Benefiting Cake).

Jin Qian Cao
Jin Qian Cao 1:3 (Ji Nei Jin : Jin Qian Cao), e.g. Ji Nei Jin 10g : Jin Qian Cao 30g

Ji Nei Jin softens and dissolves hard stones while Jin Qian Cao clears Damp-Heat from the urinary and biliary systems and promotes the passage of stones through increased fluid flow. Together they address both the stone itself and the underlying Damp-Heat environment that produced it.

When to use: Urinary stones (kidney, bladder) and gallstones, especially small or silt-like stones. This pairing forms the basis of many classical stone-dissolving formulas including San Jin Tang (Three Golds Decoction).

Mai Ya
Mai Ya 1:1 to 1:2, e.g. Ji Nei Jin 10g : Mai Ya 10–20g

Ji Nei Jin powerfully dissolves food stagnation and invigorates the Spleen, while Mai Ya (barley sprout) gently promotes digestion and soothes the Liver to support smooth Qi flow. Together they enhance each other's digestive action and address cases where Liver Qi constraint contributes to poor appetite.

When to use: Food stagnation with loss of appetite, especially when emotional stress or Liver Qi constraint contributes to poor digestion. Also useful for chronic poor appetite during recovery from illness.

Sang Piao Xiao
Sang Piao Xiao 1:1, e.g. Ji Nei Jin 10g : Sang Piao Xiao 10g

Ji Nei Jin secures the Bladder and restrains urine, while Sang Piao Xiao (mantis egg case) directly tonifies Kidney Yang and consolidates Kidney essence. Together they firmly secure the lower body's holding function from both the Bladder and Kidney sides.

When to use: Bedwetting in children, frequent urination, or seminal emission due to Kidney Qi not being firm. This combination appears in classical formulas like Ji Pi Zi San from the Sheng Hui Fang.

Hai Jin Sha
Hai Jin Sha 1:1, e.g. Ji Nei Jin 10g : Hai Jin Sha 10g

Ji Nei Jin dissolves stones and softens hardness, while Hai Jin Sha (Lygodium spore) clears Damp-Heat from the Small Intestine and Bladder and promotes urination. Together their stone-dissolving and Damp-Heat clearing actions are greatly enhanced.

When to use: Urinary tract stones with painful, difficult urination (stone strangury). This pair is a core component of formulas for urolithiasis.

Comparable Ingredients

These ingredients have overlapping uses — here's how to tell them apart

Shan Zha
Ji Nei Jin vs Shan Zha

Both are leading digestive herbs, but they have different strengths. Shan Zha (hawthorn) is sour and slightly warm, and excels specifically at digesting greasy, fatty meat dishes. It also enters the Liver channel and can invigorate Blood and relieve pain. Ji Nei Jin is sweet and neutral, effective against all types of food stagnation (grains, starches, dairy, and meat alike), and additionally can dissolve stones and stop enuresis. Ji Nei Jin also uniquely strengthens the Spleen's transport function, while Shan Zha tends more toward simply draining stagnation.

Mai Ya
Ji Nei Jin vs Mai Ya

Both promote digestion and enter the Spleen and Stomach channels, but Mai Ya (barley sprout) is milder and is especially suited for stagnation of starchy, grain-based foods. Mai Ya also soothes the Liver and can reduce breast milk production when used at higher doses (an action Ji Nei Jin lacks). Ji Nei Jin is considerably stronger in dissolving stubborn food stagnation, has the additional ability to dissolve stones and secure essence, and is better for severe or chronic cases.

Shen Qu
Ji Nei Jin vs Shen Qu

Shen Qu (medicated leaven) is warm and acrid-sweet, and is particularly good at harmonizing the Stomach and resolving Dampness alongside food stagnation. It is often used when food stagnation is complicated by Damp turbidity or when certain mineral-heavy herbs need help being absorbed. Ji Nei Jin is neutral in temperature and has broader applications beyond digestion, including stone dissolution and securing the lower body. For pure digestive stagnation, Ji Nei Jin is stronger; for Dampness-complicated digestion, Shen Qu may be preferred.

Common Substitutes & Adulterants

Related species and common adulterations to be aware of when sourcing Ji Nei Jin

The most common adulterant is duck gizzard lining (ya nei jin 鸭内金), which has a similar appearance but is thicker, has coarser and fewer wrinkles, and is considered therapeutically inferior. Authentic Ji Nei Jin has fine, prominent, closely-spaced ridge-like wrinkles and is thinner and more translucent than duck gizzard lining. Goose gizzard lining (e nei jin 鹅内金) may also be encountered. Buyers should verify the source species, as the pharmacological profile of duck and goose linings has not been established to be equivalent.

Educational content — always consult a qualified healthcare provider or TCM practitioner before using any ingredient.

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Ji Nei Jin

Non-toxic

Ji Nei Jin is classified as non-toxic in both classical literature and the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao explicitly states it is "ping, wu du" (neutral, non-toxic). No toxic components have been identified. It is composed primarily of keratin protein, trace digestive enzymes (pepsin and amylase), amino acids, and trace minerals. No special toxicity precautions are required at standard dosages.

Contraindications

Situations where Ji Nei Jin should not be used or requires extra caution

Caution

Spleen deficiency without food stagnation (no actual accumulation to dissolve). Ji Nei Jin's digestive-dispersing action can further weaken a Spleen that has nothing to disperse, worsening the underlying deficiency.

Caution

Excessive stomach acid or acid reflux conditions. Ji Nei Jin promotes gastric secretion and increases stomach acid output, which can aggravate these conditions.

Caution

Concurrent use with tannin-rich herbs such as Da Huang (Rhubarb), Di Yu (Sanguisorba), and Bian Xu (Polygonum aviculare). The enzymes in Ji Nei Jin bind with tannins and lose their effectiveness.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

Generally considered safe at standard doses during pregnancy. Ji Nei Jin is sweet and neutral in nature with no known uterine-stimulating or teratogenic properties. However, its strong digestive-dispersing action means it should be used only when genuinely indicated (actual food stagnation) rather than as a routine supplement during pregnancy. Pregnant women should consult a qualified practitioner before use.

Breastfeeding

No specific contraindications during breastfeeding have been documented. Ji Nei Jin is a food-grade animal product classified as non-toxic and is commonly used in dietary therapy for mothers and children in China. Its gentle digestive-supporting action is unlikely to cause adverse effects through breast milk. It may actually be beneficial for postpartum women with poor appetite or digestive weakness, though a practitioner should guide its use.

Children

Ji Nei Jin is one of the most commonly used herbs in pediatric TCM practice, particularly for childhood food stagnation and malnutrition (gan ji). It is considered safe and gentle for children. For infants and toddlers, dosages are typically reduced to 1-3g of ground powder mixed into food, porridge, or warm water. For older children (ages 3-12), 3-6g is standard. The powdered form is preferred over decoction for children, as it is easier to administer and considered more effective. Ji Nei Jin steamed egg custard (mixing 1-2g of powder into beaten egg before steaming) is a traditional pediatric preparation that makes it palatable for young children.

Drug Interactions

If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, be aware of these potential interactions with Ji Nei Jin

Tetracycline antibiotics: Ji Nei Jin may interfere with the absorption of tetracycline-class antibiotics. Concurrent use is not recommended.

Aspirin and niacin (nicotinic acid): Classical Chinese pharmaceutical references advise against concurrent use, though the precise mechanism is not well characterized.

Tannin-containing medications: The enzyme components in Ji Nei Jin can bind with tannins and become inactivated. Avoid concurrent use with tannin-rich drugs or supplements.

General note: Because Ji Nei Jin increases gastric acid secretion and accelerates gastric motility, it may theoretically alter the absorption kinetics of other orally administered drugs. People taking medications with narrow therapeutic windows should consult their healthcare provider.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Ji Nei Jin

Avoid tannin-rich foods and beverages while taking Ji Nei Jin, including strong tea, coffee, persimmons, and unripe apples, as tannins can bind to and inactivate its enzyme components. For best results in treating food stagnation, eat small, easily digestible meals and avoid greasy, heavy, or raw cold foods that would further burden the digestive system. When using Ji Nei Jin to support Spleen function, warm cooked foods such as congee and soups are ideal accompaniments.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Ji Nei Jin source animal

Ji Nei Jin is not a botanical product but an animal-derived medicinal substance. It is the dried inner lining (corneous endothelium) of the gizzard (muscular stomach, or sha nang 砂囊) of the domestic chicken, Gallus gallus domesticus Brisson, family Phasianidae. Chickens lack teeth and rely on this powerful muscular organ to grind food together with ingested grit and small stones.

The gizzard lining is a tough, golden-yellow keratinous membrane that protects the muscular wall from abrasion by swallowed sand and grit. When peeled from a freshly slaughtered chicken's gizzard while still warm, washed, and dried, it yields thin, irregularly shaped curled pieces about 3.5 cm long and 3 cm wide, with prominent ridge-like wrinkles on the surface. The dried product is semi-translucent, brittle, and breaks with a glossy, horn-like cross-section.

Sourcing & Harvesting

Where Ji Nei Jin is sourced, when it's harvested or collected, and how to assess quality

Harvesting season

Year-round, as a byproduct of chicken slaughter. The gizzard lining is peeled from the freshly killed chicken while the gizzard is still warm, then washed and sun-dried.

Primary growing regions

Ji Nei Jin is an animal product sourced from domestic chickens and is produced throughout all regions of China wherever chickens are raised. There is no specific "terroir" (dao di) designation for this substance, as it is universally available. Major commercial sources include Shandong, Henan, Hebei, Sichuan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangsu, and Anhui provinces. Quality can vary significantly depending on whether the chickens are traditionally raised free-range (which yields thicker, more potent gizzard linings) versus modern commercially farmed broiler chickens (which are slaughtered at 2-3 months and yield thinner, less active membranes).

Quality indicators

Good quality Ji Nei Jin is dry, complete (not torn into small fragments), relatively large in size, and golden-yellow in color. The surface should show clearly defined ridge-like wrinkles. It should be thin, semi-translucent, and brittle, snapping cleanly with a glossy, horn-like (keratinous) cross-section. The smell should be faintly fishy and the taste slightly bitter. Darker brown or blackish pieces come from older chickens and are considered lower grade. Pieces from traditionally raised free-range chickens (raised for 2-3 years) are thicker, more robust, and pharmacologically more potent than those from commercially farmed broilers (raised for only 2-3 months), which tend to be thinner and more fragile.

Classical Texts

Key passages from the classical Chinese medical texts that describe Ji Nei Jin and its therapeutic uses

Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (《神农本草经》)

Chinese: 主泄利。

English: "Governs diarrhea and dysentery."

Ming Yi Bie Lu (《名医别录》)

Chinese: 主小便利，遗溺，除热止烦。

English: "Governs urinary frequency, enuresis, clears Heat and stops irritability."

Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao (《日华子本草》)

Chinese: 止泄精，并尿血、崩中、带下、肠风、泻痢。

English: "Stops seminal emission, as well as bloody urine, uterine flooding, vaginal discharge, intestinal wind, and diarrhea-dysentery."

Dian Nan Ben Cao (《滇南本草》)

Chinese: 宽中健脾，消食磨胃。治小儿乳食结滞，肚大筋青，痞积疳积。

English: "Broadens the middle and strengthens the Spleen, digests food and grinds the Stomach. Treats children's milk-food stagnation, distended belly with visible blue-green veins, lumps and childhood malnutrition."

Ben Cao Gang Mu (《本草纲目》)

Chinese: 治小儿食疟，疗大人淋漓、反胃，消酒积，主喉闭、乳蛾，一切口疮，牙疳诸疮。

English: "Treats childhood food-related malaria, adult urinary dribbling and reflux vomiting, dissolves alcohol accumulation, governs throat obstruction and tonsillitis, all mouth sores and dental ulcers."

Yi Xue Zhong Zhong Can Xi Lu (《医学衷中参西录》) by Zhang Xichun

Chinese: 鸡内金，鸡之脾胃也。中有瓷石、铜、铁皆能消化，其善化瘀积可知......不但能消脾胃之积，无论脏腑何处有积，鸡内金皆能消之。

English: "Ji Nei Jin is the Spleen-Stomach of the chicken. Within it, porcelain, stone, copper, and iron can all be digested, so its ability to dissolve stagnant accumulations is evident... It not only dissolves accumulations of the Spleen and Stomach; wherever there are accumulations in any organ, Ji Nei Jin can dissolve them all."

Historical Context

The history and evolution of Ji Nei Jin's use in Chinese medicine over the centuries

Ji Nei Jin (literally "chicken inner gold") was named for the golden-yellow color of the gizzard membrane, its value considered comparable to gold within the chicken's body. It was first recorded in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, China's oldest materia medica, where it was listed under the name ji pi ci li huang pi (鸡毗胫里黄皮). Over subsequent dynasties, its applications expanded considerably from its original simple indication of treating diarrhea.

The most influential commentary on Ji Nei Jin came from Zhang Xichun (张锡纯), the great physician of the late Qing and early Republican era, in his Yi Xue Zhong Zhong Can Xi Lu. Zhang championed Ji Nei Jin as far more than a simple digestive aid. He reasoned that since the chicken's gizzard could grind porcelain, stone, copper, and iron, the membrane must have a profound ability to dissolve all manner of accumulations in the body. He used it to treat not only food stagnation but also abdominal masses in men and women, menstrual blockage, and chronic debility. His famous insight was to pair Ji Nei Jin with Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes) in equal parts, creating what he called "the essential medicine for dissolving stagnant accumulations and the finest product for strengthening the Spleen and Stomach." Several of his well-known formulas, including Yi Pi Bing (益脾饼, "Spleen-Benefiting Cake") and Qi Yi Bing (期颐饼, "Centenarian Cake"), feature Ji Nei Jin as a key ingredient.

The folk tradition of saving dried chicken gizzard linings from home kitchens and trading them at herbal pharmacies was widespread in rural China well into the 20th century, reflecting the practical, accessible nature of this remedy in everyday life.

Modern Research

3 published studies investigating the pharmacological effects or clinical outcomes of Ji Nei Jin

1

Review: Chemical Composition of Galli Gigeriae Endothelium Corneum (2025)

Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2025, Volume 16

A comprehensive review summarizing decades of research on Ji Nei Jin's chemical composition and pharmacological activities. Found that Ji Nei Jin contains proteins, peptides, amino acids, polysaccharides, flavonoids, trace elements, and nucleosides. Pharmacological studies demonstrate its ability to promote gastrointestinal motility, enhance digestive enzyme activity, regulate glucose metabolism, dissolve stones, and exert anti-inflammatory and liver-protective effects.

PubMed
2

Gastrointestinal Motility Enhancing Effect of Endothelium Corneum Gigeriae Galli Extract in Rats (Animal study, 2015)

Zhang Y. et al., Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2015, 172, 339-344

An animal study demonstrating that Ji Nei Jin extract significantly enhanced gastrointestinal motility in rats, providing experimental evidence for its traditional use as a prokinetic digestive aid. The results support the classical indication of treating food stagnation and poor appetite.

3

Biological Assay Method for Ji Nei Jin Quality Control Based on Digestive Enzyme Activity (Laboratory study, 2021)

Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica (Yao Xue Xue Bao), 2021

Researchers at Chengdu University of TCM developed a novel biological assay using pepsin activity to evaluate Ji Nei Jin quality across 20 batches from different provinces. Found significant variation in enzyme potency between batches, with traditionally raised free-range chicken gizzard linings showing higher activity than those from commercially farmed broilers. The pepsin activity assay correlated strongly with in vivo gastric emptying rates in mice.

Link

Research on individual TCM herbs is growing but still limited by Western clinical trial standards. These studies provide emerging evidence and should be considered alongside practitioner expertise.