Jiao Ai Tang (胶艾汤) — Ass-Hide Gelatin and Mugwort Decoction

Jiao Ai Tang is the classical Chinese formula for uterine bleeding driven by Chong-Ren instability with concurrent Blood deficiency and internal Cold — presenting as menorrhagia, spotting between periods, threatened miscarriage with bleeding, and post-partum uterine bleeding. The classical formula was built around E Jiao (donkey-hide gelatin) with Ai Ye (mugwort). The description below is of the welfare-compliant modified form in which E Jiao is omitted and the blood-nourishing action is preserved.

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Modern welfare-compliant modification
4. Ingredients
5. Actions and indications
6. Dosing
7. Cautions and contraindications
8. Related formulas
9. Treatment at my clinic

1. Overview

Jiao Ai Tang (胶艾汤) — Ass-Hide Gelatin and Mugwort Decoction — is a classical Chinese herbal formula in the Regulate Blood (stop bleeding) category. Source: Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essentials of the Golden Cabinet), by Zhang Zhongjing. I prescribe it as bespoke pharmaceutical-grade granules from Sun Ten in Taiwan at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire and via online herbal consultations.

2. TCM pattern

Chong and Ren vessel instability with Blood deficiency and internal Cold: uterine bleeding (heavy periods, spotting, post-coital, threatened miscarriage bleeding), pale complexion, cold lower abdomen, cold hands and feet, pale tongue, thready pulse.

3. Modern welfare-compliant modification

Classical formula contains E Jiao (donkey-hide gelatin). This entry describes the modern welfare-compliant version omitting E Jiao and enriching Shu Di Huang plus increased Dang Gui — standard practice in modern welfare-conscious clinics.

4. Ingredients

1. Ai Ye — Artemisia argyi (mugwort leaf) (9g) — warms the Uterus and Blood, stops uterine bleeding
2. Dang Gui — Angelica sinensis (9–12g) — nourishes and gently moves Blood (increased in the modified form)
3. Chuan Xiong — Ligusticum chuanxiong (6g) — moves Blood in the Chong vessel
4. Shu Di Huang — Rehmannia glutinosa (prepared) (12g) — nourishes Blood (increased to compensate for E Jiao omission)
5. Bai Shao — Paeonia lactiflora (white peony) (9g) — nourishes Blood, softens the Liver
6. Zhi Gan Cao — Glycyrrhiza uralensis (honey-fried) (6g) — harmonises the formula

5. Actions and indications

Principal actions

1. Nourishes Blood and stops bleeding
2. Regulates the Chong and Ren vessels
3. Calms the foetus (in threatened miscarriage)

Indications

1. Menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding) with pale complexion and cold constitution
2. Intermenstrual spotting with Cold and Blood deficiency
3. Threatened miscarriage with bleeding, in stable pregnancy under specialist care
4. Post-partum uterine bleeding
5. Post-miscarriage constitutional recovery

6. Dosing

As decoction, once daily during active bleeding. Granule form 6–9g/day divided.

7. Cautions and contraindications

1. Any new heavy uterine bleeding or bleeding in pregnancy requires urgent conventional assessment.
2. Not for Heat-type uterine bleeding (bright red, thirst, red tongue).
3. Contraindicated in early pregnancy without practitioner supervision.
4. Must be prescribed within a specific TCM pattern diagnosis.

8. Related formulas

• Huang Tu Tang — for Spleen Yang failing to hold Blood (also modified without E Jiao)
• Wen Jing Tang — for cold-type menstrual dysfunction with Blood stasis
• Gu Chong Tang — for Chong instability with heavy bleeding

9. Treatment at my clinic

I prescribe Jiao Ai Tang where the TCM pattern above matches the patient’s presentation, typically as part of a wider prescription tailored to the individual. Return to the Chinese herbal formulas directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.