Bǔ Fèi Ē Jiāo Tāng (补肺阿胶汤) — Tonify the Lungs Decoction with Ass-hide Gelatin
Information only — not used or prescribed at this clinic. This page documents a traditional Chinese herbal formula that contains one or more animal-derived ingredients, for reference and education. I do not use or prescribe any animal products. Every formula I prescribe is built entirely from plant and mineral herbs.
I do not use this substance on animal-welfare grounds, and it is not prescribed in my practice. Related species are also restricted under endangered-species and welfare rules.
Plant and mineral alternatives I use instead include plant Lung-Yin tonics such as Mai Men Dong, Sha Shen and Bai He.
On this page
- Overview
- Ingredients
- Traditional actions and indications
- Plant-based alternatives
- Why it is not prescribed
1. Overview
Bǔ Fèi Ē Jiāo Tāng (补肺阿胶汤) — Tonify the Lungs Decoction with Ass-hide Gelatin — is a traditional formula of the Chinese Materia Medica that contains one or more animal-derived ingredients. It is described here for information and reference only. I do not use or prescribe Bǔ Fèi Ē Jiāo Tāng or any formula containing animal products; where a comparable effect is needed I prescribe a plant-based formula matched to the patient's TCM pattern.
2. Ingredients
Traditional ingredients include:
- E Jiao (donkey-hide gelatin) (animal product)
- Niu Bang Zi, Xing Ren, Ma Dou Ling, Nuo Mi, Gan Cao (plants)
3. Traditional actions and indications
Traditional actions
- Nourishes Lung Yin and stops cough
- Clears Heat and stops bleeding
Traditional indications
- Chronic cough with scanty blood-streaked sputum from Lung-Yin deficiency
4. Plant-based alternatives
In my practice I use plant-based formulas in place of Bǔ Fèi Ē Jiāo Tāng. Depending on the TCM pattern, suitable alternatives include plant Lung-Yin tonics such as Mai Men Dong, Sha Shen and Bai He. Read more about Chinese herbal medicine or book an online herbal consultation.
5. Why it is not prescribed
On animal-welfare grounds I do not use Bǔ Fèi Ē Jiāo Tāng, and it is not prescribed in my practice; a plant-based alternative is used instead. All Chinese herbs and formulas should be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist registered with the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM), which prohibits the use of endangered species. Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto is a member of the RCHM and the British Acupuncture Council and does not use animal products of any kind.
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