Donkey hide gelatin (Ejiao)-Equus asinus L.

Donkey hide gelatin (Ejiao)

Pharmaceutical Name: Colla Corii Asini

Zoological Name: Equus asinus L.

Common Name: Gelatin, Donkey hide gelatin, Ass hide glue.

Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The glue is fried from the skin of a donkey.

Properties & Taste: Sweet and neutral

Meridians: Lung, liver and kidney

Functions: 1. To nourish blood; 2. To stop bleeding; 3. To replenish yin and moisten the lungs

Indications & Combinations:

1. Blood deficiency manifested as dizziness, blurred vision and palpitations. Donkey hide gelatin (Ejiao) is used with Ginseng (Renshen), Chinese angelica root (Danggui) and Prepared rehmannia root (Shudihuang).

2. Hemorrhage manifested as vomiting with blood, epistaxis, bloody stool, excessive menstrual flow, bleeding during pregnancy and uterine bleeding. Donkey hide gelatin (Ejiao) is used with Mugwort leaf (Aiye), Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang), Cattail pollen (Puhuang) and Lotus node (Oujie).

3. Yin consumed by febrile disease manifested as irritability and insomnia or spasms and trembling of hands and feet. Donkey hide gelatin (Ejiao) is used with Coptis root (Huanglian), White peony root (Baishao), Uncaria stem (Gouteng) and Oyster shell (Muli).

4. Cough due to deficient yin manifested as cough with scanty sputum or cough with bloody sputum, dry mouth, irritability and a thready and rapid pulse. Donkey hide gelatin (Ejiao) is used with Glehnia root (Shashen), Ophiopogon root (Maidong), Apricot seed (Xingren) and Tendrilled fritillary bulb (Chuanbeimu).

Dosage: 5-10 g.

Cautions & Contraindications: This herb is contraindicated in cases with weakness of the spleen and stomach manifested as poor appetite and indigestion, or vomiting and diarrhea.