Chinese: 阿胶鸡子黄汤
Pinyin: Ē Jiāo Jī Zi Huáng Tāng
Other names: Donkey-Hide Gelatin and Egg Yolk Decoction
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that pacify and extinguish Internal Wind
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: MeningitisEncephalitis
- Nourishes Yin
- Nourishes Blood
- Calms the Liver
- Extinguishes Wind
Source date: the Qing dynasty
Source book: Popular Guide to the Discussion of Cold Damage
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang is a 10-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Donkey-Hide Gelatin (E Jiao) and Chicken Egg Yolks (Ji Zi Huang) as principal ingredients.
Invented in the Qing dynasty, it belongs to the category of formulas that pacify and extinguish Internal Wind. Its main actions are: 1) nourishes Yin and 2) nourishes Blood.
In Chinese Medicine health conditions are thought to arise due to "disharmonies" in the body as a system. These disharmonies are called "patterns" and the very purpose of herbal formulas is to fight them in order to restore the body's harmony.
In this case E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency, Interior Wind or Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as encephalitis or meningitis for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the ten ingredients in E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang helps treat.
The ten ingredients in E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang
E Jiao is a king ingredient in E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Donkey-Hide Gelatin (E Jiao)
Part used: Solid glue prepared from the dried or fresh skin of donkeys
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiverLung
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
E Jiao is heavy and thick. It nourishes the Yin and Blood, expels Wind, sedates the Yang, augments the Yin Body Fluids, and moistens the sinews .
Ji Zi Huang is a king ingredient in E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
2. Chicken Egg Yolks (Ji Zi Huang)
Part used: The egg yolk, raw or cooked
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartKidney
Category: Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency
Ji Zi Huang has a thick flavor. Like E Jiao (the other king ingredient here) it nourishes the Yin and Blood, expels Wind and sedates the Yang.
Di Huang is a deputy ingredient in E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang)
Part used: Prepared dried root tuber
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLiver
Category: Herbs that cool the Blood
In general Di Huang's main actions are as follows: "Expels Heat by Cooling Blood. Tonifies Yin by promoting Fluid production. Soothes the Heart by calming Blazing Fire. Cools and nourishes."
In the context of E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang, it is used because it calms the Liver to extinguish Wind.
Bai Shao is a deputy ingredient in E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
4. White Peony Roots (Bai Shao)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: LiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
Bai Shao calms the Liver to extinguish Wind. The combination of Bai Shao and Gan Cao (Liquorice) is very effective in treating painful spasms.
Gan Cao is a deputy ingredient in E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
5. Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Gan Cao calms the Liver to extinguish Wind. The combination Gan Cao with Bai Shao (White Peony Roots) and is very effective in treating painful spasms.
Gou Teng is an assistant ingredient in E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
6. Gambir Stems And Thorns (Gou Teng)
Part used: Dried stems and thorns from the branches
Nature: Cool
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: LiverPericardium
Category: Herbs that pacify Internal Liver Wind and stop Tremors
In general Gou Teng's main actions are as follows: "Calms Liver Wind and relieves spasms. Clears Liver Heat and sedates Liver Yang."
In the context of E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang, it is used because it sedates the rising Yang and extinguishes Wind.
Shi Jue Ming is an assistant ingredient in E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
7. Abalone Shells (Shi Jue Ming)
Part used: Shell
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Salty
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiverLung
Category: Herbs that pacify Internal Liver Wind and stop Tremors
In general Shi Jue Ming's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat and calms ascending Liver Yang. Clears Liver Heat that is obstructing the vision."
In the context of E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang, it is used because it sedates the rising Yang and extinguishes Wind.
Mu Li ke is an assistant ingredient in E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
8. Oyster Shells (Mu Li ke)
Part used: The shell
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Salty
Meridian affinity: BladderGallbladderKidneyLiver
Category: Herbs that anchor and calm the SpiritHerbs that pacify Internal Liver Wind and stop Tremors
In general Mu Li ke's main actions are as follows: "Calms and anchors the spirit. Moistens Dryness. Softens and removes lumps. Nourish the Yin and subdues the overflowing of the Yang,"
In the context of E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang, it is used because it sedates the rising Yang and extinguishes Wind.
Fu Shen is an assistant ingredient in E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
9. Host-Wood Poria (Fu Shen)
Part used: The part of the mushroom that is attached to the host-wood, dried
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
In general Fu Shen's main actions are as follows: "Calms the Mind (Shen) and promote urination."
In the context of E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang, it is used because it calms the Liver and the Mind.
Luo Shi Teng is an envoy ingredient in E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
10. Star Jasmine Stems (Luo Shi Teng)
Part used: Dried lianoid stem
Nature: Cool
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLiver
Category: Herbs that dispel Wind and Dampness
In general Luo Shi Teng's main actions are as follows: "Dispel Wind-Damp and removes obstruction from the Channels. Remove Blood-Heat and reduces swelling."
In the context of E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang, it is used because it focuses the actions of the other ingredients on the Collaterals and sinews.
Conditions and patterns for which E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang may be prescribed
It's important to remember that herbal formulas are meant to treat patterns, not "diseases" as understood in Western Medicine. According to Chinese Medicine patterns, which are disruptions to the body as a system, are the underlying root cause for diseases and conditions.
As such E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang is used by TCM practitioners to treat three different patterns which we describe below.
But before we delve into these patterns here is an overview of the Western conditions they're commonly associated with:
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang treats encephalitis" for instance. Rather, E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind encephalitis.
Now let's look at the three patterns commonly treated with E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian), Fine (Xi)
Tongue color: Pale
Symptoms: Insomnia Dizziness Headaches No period Facial tic Dry throat Fine tremor Poor memory Hypertension Blurred vision Scanty periods Tingling of limbs Numbness in the limbs
E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as fine tremor, facial tic, dizziness and blurred vision. Patients with Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency typically exhibit wiry (Xian) or fine (Xi) pulses as well as Pale and thin tongue.
If there is Liver Blood Deficiency, especially if the condition lasts a long time without being treated, the Blood vessels become 'empty' and the space is taken over by Internal Wind. Like an empty building will often get a lot of wind in its corridors, the concept here is the same.
This kind of... read more about Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency
The Interior in Chinese Medicine is one of the so-called "Eight Principles". Learn more about Interior in Chinese Medicine
Interior Wind
Pulse type(s): Fine (Xi), Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
Symptoms: Coma Tics Fever Anger Tremor Insomnia Dry eyes Red eyes Red face Deafness Dizziness Paralysis Headaches Back pain Dry throat Convulsions Poor memory Irritability Constipation Eye deviation Blurred vision Scanty periods Tremor of limbs Mouth deviation Numbness in the limbs Dream disturbed sleep
E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Interior Wind. This pattern leads to symptoms such as convulsions, tremor of limbs, dizziness and paralysis. Patients with Interior Wind typically exhibit fine (Xi), rapid (Shu) or wiry (Xian) pulses.
Interior Wind is mostly referred to be the Liver Wind. There are 4 types of Interior Liver Wind due to the original causes:
1. Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire
2. Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Wiry (Xian), Fine (Xi), Floating (Fu)
Tongue color: Red
Symptoms: Coma Tremor Vertigo Tinnitus Dry eyes Insomnia Headaches Back pain Dizziness Facial tic Dry throat Poor memory Convulsions Hypertension Night sweats Blurred vision Severe dizziness Scanty urination Tingling of limbs Numbness in the limbs Dream disturbed sleep Spasms in the extremities Numbness in the extremities Twitching in the extremities Feeling of heat rushing to the head
E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising. This pattern leads to symptoms such as tremor, facial tic, severe dizziness and tinnitus. Patients with Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising typically exhibit rapid (Shu), empty (Xu), wiry (Xian), fine (Xi) or floating (Fu) pulses as well as Red, pale normal color with no coating.
Liver Yang Rising can create Interior Wind if the condition is left unchecked for a long time. This pattern is normally seen among the elderly.
Liver Yang Rising has different symptoms based on what caused it in the first place. If caused by Liver Yin Deficiency the symptoms includes tremors,... read more about Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
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