Chinese herbs

Ejiao

Also called: donkey-hide gelatin, e jiao

Gelatin made from donkey skin.

Why people take it
Anaemia, women's health.
What the evidence says
No good evidence.
How it is usually taken
As a tonic in soups or prepared products.
Be careful
Expensive; products may be adulterated with other animal gelatin.
Medicines it can interact with
No important medicine interactions are known, but tell your doctor and pharmacist about every supplement you take.

Other chinese herbs

Dong quaiHorny goat weedSchisandraJujubeChrysanthemum teaGynostemmaEucommiaRehmanniaPolygonum multiflorumPuerariaPanax notoginsengAmerican ginsengPearl powderHawthorn berry (shanzha)Monk fruit

Common questions

What is Ejiao?

Gelatin made from donkey skin.

Why do people take Ejiao?

Anaemia, women's health.

Does Ejiao work?

No good evidence.

How much Ejiao do people take?

As a tonic in soups or prepared products.

Is Ejiao safe?

Expensive; products may be adulterated with other animal gelatin.

Does Ejiao interact with medicines?

No important medicine interactions are known, but tell your doctor and pharmacist about every supplement you take.

Sources and further reading

Last reviewed 31 October 2026. Written by Satya Babu.

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For information only, not medical advice. Supplements are not medicines: they are not tested and approved like drugs before they are sold, and they can interact with medicines. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you start one, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take regular medicines, or have kidney, liver or heart disease.