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Cura x Cura

E Jiao阿胶

Corii Asini Colla · Donkey-hide Gelatin · Ass-hide Glue

Herbs that Tonify the Blood 补血药《神农本草经》

Overview

A hard amber gelatin boiled down from donkey hide — the heaviest and most directly blood-building of the tonics, and one of the few that stops bleeding at the same time. Sweet and neutral, entering the Lung, Liver and Kidney, it is the herb reached for after heavy menstrual or postpartum loss, and in yin-deficient dryness with a hacking unproductive cough. It is dissolved into the finished decoction rather than boiled with the rest.

Nature & Flavor

Sweet · Neutral

Channels

Lung · Liver · Kidney

Typical Dosage

5–15 g
阿胶Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Tonifies the bloodSallow dull complexion, dizziness on standing, palpitations, poor sleep and brittle nails after blood loss or in chronic deficiency.
  • Stops bleedingFlooding and leaking uterine bleeding, blood in the stool or urine, coughing or vomiting of blood — the chief herb of Jiao Ai Tang 胶艾汤.
  • Nourishes yin, moistens drynessDry cough with scant sticky sputum, and restless insomnia from yin deficiency with heat, as in Huang Lian E Jiao Tang 黄连阿胶汤.

In Formulas

Formulas containing E Jiao

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Blood deficiency after menstrual, postpartum or surgical loss
    - Uterine bleeding, blood in stool or urine, haemoptysis
    - Dry unproductive cough of Lung yin deficiency
    - Restless insomnia with yin deficiency and heat

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

AnaemiaMenorrhagiaPostpartum recoveryDry coughInsomnia

Contraindications

Cautions

Rich and cloying, and it obstructs a weak digestion easily — avoid it, or pair it with qi-moving herbs, where there is poor appetite, loose stools, fullness or a thick greasy tongue coat, and hold it back during an acute fever or an unresolved exterior pattern. It is made from donkey hide, so it is not suitable for vegetarians, vegans, or patients avoiding animal-derived products on religious grounds; say so before dispensing.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Traditionally used during pregnancy for bleeding and restless fetus — under practitioner supervision.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.