What are the effects and benefits of donkey-hide gelatin (Ajiao)?
Nov 07, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yu Yongchao
Introduction
As a traditional and highly valued Chinese medicinal herb, donkey-hide gelatin (Ejiao) is primarily known for its functions of enriching blood and nourishing yin, moistening dryness, stopping bleeding, improving complexion and skin hydration, invigorating qi and blood, and tonifying the liver and kidneys. When consuming it, attention should be paid to avoid excessive intake by individuals with weak spleen and stomach or digestive problems, as it may increase the burden on the digestive system. Consumption should also be suspended during colds or fever to ensure suitability and safety.
As a traditional and well-known precious Chinese medicinal herb, donkey-hide gelatin (Ajiao) has core functions and benefits including nourishing blood and yin, moistening dryness and stopping bleeding, improving complexion and skin health, replenishing qi and blood, and nourishing the liver and kidneys. A detailed analysis is as follows:
1. **Nourishing Blood and Yin**: With a sweet and neutral nature, donkey-hide gelatin excels at enriching blood. It is suitable for symptoms caused by blood deficiency, such as sallow complexion, dizziness, blurred vision, palpitations, insomnia, and fatigue. By nourishing yin and blood, it increases blood volume and improves the body's undernourished state due to blood deficiency, thus maintaining balance between qi and blood.
2. **Moistening Dryness and Stopping Bleeding**: Donkey-hide gelatin can moisten dryness, helping relieve symptoms such as dry cough due to lung dryness, sore throat, and scanty phlegm. It also has hemostatic properties, making it effective for various hemorrhagic conditions like hemoptysis, vomiting blood, bloody stools, and excessive uterine bleeding. Its ability to nourish yin and moisten dryness helps reduce organ damage caused by dryness pathogens, stopping bleeding without causing blood stasis.
3. **Improving Complexion and Skin Health**: The nutrients in donkey-hide gelatin nourish the skin and help improve issues such as rough texture, dullness, and pigmentation caused by insufficient qi and blood. By supplying essential nutrients to the skin, it helps maintain smooth, delicate skin and a rosy complexion, achieving beautifying and skin-moisturizing effects.
4. **Replenishing Qi and Blood**: Donkey-hide gelatin is particularly effective in strengthening both qi and blood. It is suitable for individuals with deficiency of both qi and blood who experience symptoms such as general weakness, shortness of breath, reluctance to speak, and cold hands and feet. It is especially beneficial for postpartum women, surgical patients, or those recovering from prolonged illness, aiding in restoring vital energy and enhancing physical vitality.
5. **Nourishing the Liver and Kidneys**: Donkey-hide gelatin nourishes the yin of the liver and kidneys, making it suitable for symptoms caused by liver-kidney yin deficiency, such as lower back and knee weakness, dizziness, tinnitus, and premature graying of hair. By supporting the liver and kidneys, it improves organ function decline due to yin deficiency and helps maintain normal physiological activities of these organs.
When consuming donkey-hide gelatin, caution should be taken by individuals with weak spleen and stomach or digestive problems, as excessive intake may burden digestion. Consumption should be paused during colds or fever to ensure appropriateness and safety.
