Ē Jiāo (阿胶) — donkey-hide gelatin
Information only — not used or prescribed at this clinic. This page documents a traditional animal-derived substance 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 Shu Di Huang, Dang Gui, He Shou Wu and Huang Qi.
On this page
1. Overview
Ē Jiāo (阿胶) — donkey-hide gelatin (Asini Corii Colla) — is a traditional animal-derived substance of the Chinese Materia Medica, historically placed in the category of herbs that tonify Blood. It is described here for information and reference only. I do not use or prescribe Ē Jiāo or any other animal product; I prescribe plant and mineral herbs in their place, matched to each patient's TCM pattern.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Ē Jiāo |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 阿胶 |
| Source | donkey-hide gelatin (Asini Corii Colla) |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Sweet |
| Channels entered | Lung, Liver, Kidney |
| Traditional category | Tonify Blood |
3. Traditional actions and indications
In classical Chinese herbal texts, Ē Jiāo was traditionally described as follows. This is historical and educational information, not a recommendation to use it.
Traditional actions
- Tonifies the Blood
- Nourishes Yin and moistens dryness
- Stops bleeding
Traditional indications
- Blood deficiency with pallor and dizziness
- Dryness of the Lungs with dry cough
- Bleeding, especially uterine bleeding
4. Plant and mineral alternatives
In my practice I use plant and mineral herbs in place of Ē Jiāo, chosen to achieve the same clinical aim within a balanced formula. Commonly used alternatives include Shu Di Huang, Dang Gui, He Shou Wu and Huang Qi. The right choice always depends on the individual TCM pattern identified in consultation. Read more about Chinese herbal medicine or book an online herbal consultation.
5. Why it is not prescribed
On animal-welfare grounds Ē Jiāo is not used in my practice, and endangered-species and welfare rules mean it is not prescribed in UK Chinese herbal practice. All Chinese herbs 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.
Formulas containing Ē Jiāo
Ē Jiāo appears in the following traditional formulas, documented here for reference only and not prescribed in animal form:
- Bǔ Fèi Ē Jiāo Tāng — Tonify the Lungs Decoction with Ass-hide Gelatin
- Huang Tu Tang — Yellow Earth Decoction
- Huáng Lián Ē Jiāo Tāng — Coptis and Ass-hide Gelatin Decoction
- Jiao Ai Tang — Ass-Hide Gelatin and Mugwort Decoction
- Jiāo Ài Sì Wù Tāng — Ass-hide Gelatin and Mugwort Decoction
- Xiǎo Dìng Fēng Zhū — Minor Wind-Stabilising Pill
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