Donkey Hide Stops Heavy Bleeding?
Here is a Chinese medicinal that has caught a lot of attention over its incredible properties to build blood, stop bleeding and address chronic lung diseases according to Chinese medicinal classics. Its price has skyrocketed all over the world in recent years. The costs range from AUD $200 to over $1000 in Sydney for a few blocks.
Sometime ago a middle-aged woman was diagnosed with severe iron deficient anaemia as a result of heavy menstrual bleeding. She was on various iron supplements for years not with much success. She also had an iron infusion under anaesthetics in a hospital, though the effect lasted only a few months. She then tried Chinese medicine to replenish the blood while at the same time stop the blood loss. There was a mixture of herbal tonics, plus one animal product, E Jiao （阿胶）, or donkey hide. The heavy bleeding did not occur at the next cycle. These medicinals seemed to have helped her, although this does not necessarily mean they are appropriate for every individual with a bleeding disorder. One must seek profession advice before trying this approach.
What is Donkey Hide（阿胶）?
Why is it that so many Chinese people are willing to pay such a high price for it? Years ago my cousin from China brought me a box of “E Jiao” blocks when she came to visit me in Sydney. Little did I know that the cost of these blocks of hard gel was ludicrous. So what is “E Jiao”, or donkey hide?
E Jiao is the gelatin of a donkey derived from collagen found in the skin and bones. This protein substance is extracted by boiling the hides, skins and bones. It is then made into dark amber colour hard gel. It is often used for women but also anyone who has a bleeding issue or a blood deficiency. It has a bland taste but it does come with a strong animal flavour which can be removed by cooking it with wine and ginger.
If animal products are not for you, there are herbal options.
How to cook E Jiao （阿胶）?
E Jiao usually comes in dark blocks of hard gel. It can be steamed in water with other ingredients for an hour or so until it melts and turns into a bowl of dark soup. Here is how I would do it but it is not the only way. Soak one block in rice wine just enough to cover it for a few hours to remove the strong taste. Add 7 dates, several pieces of fresh ginger and 1-2 cups of water. You could add energy tonics and blood tonics such as Dang Shen (党参）and Huang Qi （黄芪）to augment its properties. Fill the bowl with water. Steam the whole bowl for about one hour. Add rock sugar to taste.
If you have a condition which you think may benefit from this medicinal, please discuss with your registered practitioner first.
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