Jiāo Ài Sì Wù Tāng (胶艾四物汤) — Ass-hide Gelatin and Mugwort Decoction
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 blood-tonics (Shu Di Huang, Dang Gui) with Ai Ye.
On this page
- Overview
- Ingredients
- Traditional actions and indications
- Plant-based alternatives
- Why it is not prescribed
1. Overview
Jiāo Ài Sì Wù Tāng (胶艾四物汤) — Ass-hide Gelatin and Mugwort Decoction — 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 Jiāo Ài Sì Wù 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)
- Ai Ye (mugwort)
- Dang Gui, Shu Di Huang, Bai Shao, Chuan Xiong (plants)
3. Traditional actions and indications
Traditional actions
- Nourishes the Blood and stops bleeding
- Warms the womb and calms a restless fetus
Traditional indications
- Deficiency uterine bleeding, spotting in pregnancy, heavy periods
4. Plant-based alternatives
In my practice I use plant-based formulas in place of Jiāo Ài Sì Wù Tāng. Depending on the TCM pattern, suitable alternatives include plant blood-tonics (Shu Di Huang, Dang Gui) with Ai Ye. 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 Jiāo Ài Sì Wù 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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