Jī Zǐ Huáng (鸡子黄) — Egg yolk

On this page

1. Overview
2. Properties
3. Actions and indications
4. Key formulas
5. Modern research
6. Incompatibilities
7. Cautions and contraindications
8. Treatment at my clinic

1. Overview

Jī Zǐ Huáng (鸡子黄) — Vitellus Ovi Galli — is known in English as Egg yolk. It belongs to the category of food substances that nourish Yin and Blood in the Chinese Materia Medica and is used in Chinese herbal medicine both as a component of classical herbal formulas and within tailored prescriptions in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

I prescribe Jī Zǐ Huáng as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan — independently tested to the highest international quality and safety standards. Herbs are never prescribed individually outside a properly balanced formula; they are always combined with other herbs selected to match the patient’s individual TCM pattern. Online consultations are available for patients who cannot attend my clinic in person.

2. Properties

3. Actions and indications

Principal actions

1. Nourishes Yin and Blood
2. Calms internal Wind and settles the spirit
3. Enriches the Heart and Kidney

Indications

1. Irritability and insomnia from Heart and Kidney failing to communicate
2. Internal Wind with tremor in the late stage of a febrile illness
3. Blood and Yin depletion after prolonged illness

4. Key formulas containing Jī Zǐ Huáng

Jī Zǐ Huáng is an ingredient in a number of classical formulas. The following are among the most important:

• Da Ding Feng Zhu

See the full Chinese herbal medicine formula directory for detailed information on all 332 classical formulas.

5. Modern research

Egg yolk is used in classical formulas such as Huang Lian E Jiao Tang and Da Ding Feng Zhu, where it is stirred into the strained decoction rather than boiled. It is a rich source of phospholipids and fat-soluble vitamins.

6. Incompatibilities

The classical Ming-dynasty texts Shi Ba Fan (Eighteen Antagonisms) and Shi Jiu Wei (Nineteen Mutual Inhibitions) record herb pairs that should not be combined. Modern practitioners treat these as strong cautions rather than absolute contraindications.

No classical incompatibilities are recorded for Jī Zǐ Huáng in the Shi Ba Fan or Shi Jiu Wei.

7. Cautions and contraindications

Not suitable for anyone with egg allergy. Raw or lightly cooked yolk carries a small infection risk, so pasteurised egg is preferred, and it is avoided in pregnancy and in the immunosuppressed.

Pattern contraindications

Avoided in Damp-Phlegm patterns, as it is rich and cloying.

Modern drug interactions

No specific drug interactions are well established for Jī Zǐ Huáng at normal prescribed doses. As with all Chinese herbs, tell your herbalist about every prescribed medication so the formula can be reviewed for interactions and adjusted where necessary.

Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Never self-prescribe or self-administer Chinese herbs without professional guidance. Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto is a member of the RCHM and the British Acupuncture Council with over 25 years of clinical experience.

8. Treatment at my clinic

I use Jī Zǐ Huáng only within the classical formulas that require it, substituting a pasteurised source, and omitting it where there is egg allergy.

Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available for patients throughout the UK and internationally, with herbs dispensed by post. Visit the prices page for consultation fees.

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Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide. After a full video consultation, Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto formulates a bespoke herbal prescription and posts your Chinese herbs directly to your door.