Ē Jiāo · Donkey-hide Gelatin
Ē Jiāo (阿胶, Donkey-hide Gelatin) is a herb of Neutral nature and Sweet flavor, in the “Blood Tonifying” category. Tradition uses it to tonify and Nourish Blood, Stop Bleeding, Moisten and Lubricate Yin.
Energetic profile
- Pinyin name
- Ē Jiāo
- Characters
- 阿胶
- Botanical name
- Equus asinus L.
- Family
- Equidae
- Part used
- Gelatin from donkey skin
- Nature
- Neutral
- Flavor
- Sweet
- Meridians
- Kidney, Liver, Lung
- Category
- Blood Tonifying
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic
- Pregnancy
- Caution
- Origin
- China
Actions according to tradition
- Tonify and Nourish Blood
- Stop Bleeding
- Moisten and Lubricate Yin
Traditional uses
- Blood deficiency with dizziness and palpitations
- Abnormal uterine bleeding
- Insomnia with irritability
- Dry cough with bloody sputum
- Hemoptysis, hematemesis, hematuria
Studied effects and current applications
- Nourishes blood for anemia
- Hemostatic agent
- Moistens dryness
- Calms mind
- Supports reproductive health
Applications under investigation
- Anemia
- Menopausal symptoms
- Chronic cough
- Bleeding disorders
- General debility
An effect being investigated does not mean it has been proven in humans.
Contraindications and adverse effects
Absolute contraindications
- Dampness and phlegm
- Spleen deficiency with loose stools
Relative contraindications
- Poor digestion
- High cholesterol
- Pregnancy
- Traditional use to prevent miscarriage. Use under supervision.
- Breastfeeding
- Traditionally used to nourish postpartum.
- Children
- Use in small amounts under supervision.
- Older adults
- Beneficial for blood deficiency, ensure good digestion.
Possible adverse effects
- Digestive discomfort (poor preparation)
- Rare allergic reactions
When to stop
- Diarrhea or loose stools
- Signs of dampness
Interactions with medications
| Group | Drugs | Severity | Effect and recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anticoagulants | Warfarin, Aspirin | Moderate | May affect blood clotting Monitor if combining |
Reference dose
- Decoction
- 3-15 grams daily (melted in hot liquid)
- Powder
- 3-9 grams daily
- Extract
- As per label
- Acute use
- 1-2 weeks
- Chronic use
- 4-8 weeks
- Maximum
- Use with breaks
- Children
- Use in small amounts under supervision.
Forms of preparation
Melt gelatin in hot water or broth. Take warm. Do not decoct directly.
Traditional preparation
Approximate doses from the literature; they are not a prescription. Consult a professional.
Active compounds
Hydrolyzed collagen (gelatin), essential amino acids and minerals
Hydrolyzed structural proteins · Hematopoietic, blood tonic, hemostatic
Stimulation of erythropoiesis, supply of amino acids for hemoglobin synthesis · 60-80% of dry weight
Amino acids · Tissue regeneration, antioxidant (glycine), gastric protector
Endogenous collagen synthesis, NMDA (glycine) receptor modulation · Glycine: 20-30%; proline+hydroxyproline: 20-25%
Glycosaminoglycans · Joint protector, moisturizer, anti-inflammatory
Articular cartilage lubrication, inhibition of collagen enzymatic aggression · Traces in traditional preparation
Organic Chelated Mineral · Antianemic, hematopoietic
Superior intestinal absorption of inorganic iron; hemoglobin synthesis cofactor · 0.1-0.3% (in organic chelate, high bioavailability)
Harvesting and processing
- Harvest
- All year round (industrially processed animal product)
Gelatin produced from the prolonged boiling of donkey hides (Equus asinus). The traditional Shandong process (阿胶 Dōnggē) uses water from Dong'e Lake. The fresh hides are soaked for 2-7 days, scraped to remove hair and boiled repeatedly to extract the collagen.
Solid blocks of gelatin as marketed. For use in decoction: crush the block, add directly to the hot broth of the already strained decoction (do not boil directly) and dissolve with stirring. Alternatively, dissolve in hot yellow rice wine.
The blocks broken into small pieces are added to hot clam shell powder (蛤粉) in a pan and fried, stirring constantly, until they puff up and form spongy balls (阿胶珠 Ē Jiāo Zhū). These pearls easily crumble into powder.
Formulas it appears in
Health notice. Educational and study content. It describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Needling, medicinal herbs and invasive techniques must be applied by trained professionals. Safety guide.
