Ejiao has long been regarded as an excellent tonic, known as the “Holy Medicine for Blood Nourishment,” ranking alongside ginseng and deer antler as one of China’s three great tonics. Made from donkey-hide gelatin, Ejiao has effects such as nourishing yin, stopping bleeding, enriching the blood, regulating menstruation, and supporting pregnancy. Modern studies have also confirmed that Ejiao can effectively enhance immunity. Ejiao contains high levels of protein and 18 amino acids, which help regulate metabolism and promote blood production.

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Ejiao became famous for its nourishing and therapeutic effects and had a special connection with Empress Dowager Cixi. At the time, Imperial Concubine Yi had difficulty conceiving and suffered from a “blood disorder.” Despite consulting doctors from all over, treatment failed, leading to habitual miscarriages. A minister from Dong’e County, aware of her condition, risked his life to recommend Ejiao produced by the “Deng’s Shude Hall” to the emperor and Imperial Concubine Yi. After taking Ejiao, she recovered from the blood disorder and gave birth to a son, the future Tongzhi Emperor.

Emperor Xianfeng was delighted and rewarded Deng Fa, head of Shude Hall, with three gifts: a fourth-rank official uniform with a yellow jacket, the privilege to present Ejiao to the emperor with a hand scroll, and the “Fu” (fortune) mark for Dong’e Ejiao, designating it as imperial tribute. The Ejiao marked with “Fu” was not only offered to the court annually but also sold in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.

In the tenth year of the Tongzhi reign (1871), the court sent inspectors to supervise Ejiao production at Shude Hall, naming it “Nine Heavens Tribute Ejiao.” Imperial Concubine Yi’s mother was honored as Empress Dowager, later known as Empress Dowager Cixi, who consumed Dong’e Ejiao regularly. It is said that despite being in her sixties, she appeared to be in her thirties or forties, with Ejiao credited as her secret to youthful appearance. Today, Ejiao remains an essential wellness product for women.

Modern pharmacology shows Ejiao can accelerate red blood cell and hemoglobin production and stop bleeding.

Nourishes Yin and Enriches Blood
Ejiao contains multiple proteins, amino acids, and calcium, improving calcium balance and promoting red blood cell formation. It nourishes yin, enriches blood, stops bleeding, regulates menstruation, and supports pregnancy. It also helps prevent and treat osteoporosis.

Supports Brain Health
Ejiao contains “active peptides” that enhance memory, recognition ability, and alertness, with strong anti-fatigue effects.

Anti-Cancer Effects
Studies show Ejiao modulates immune cell activity and can help inhibit tumor growth, enhance NK cell activity, and improve lymphocyte transformation rates in cancer patients, supporting symptom relief, slowing tumor growth, and prolonging life.

Beauty and Skin Nourishment
Ejiao boosts red blood cell and hemoglobin levels, nourishing the skin through improved blood supply. Long-term use can give a rosy complexion, smooth, delicate, and radiant skin.

Ejiao is primarily produced in Dong’e County, Shandong Province, China.

 The raw materials undergo repeated soaking and hair removal, then are cut, boiled, extracted, and strained.

01

Soak donkey hides in water, changing the water 1–2 times daily. Once hair can be scraped off, remove and cut into small pieces, soak again in clean water for 2–5 days, then place in a pot with water.

02

Boil for about three days and nights. Extract the thickened liquid, add water, and boil again, repeating 5–6 times until all gelatin is extracted, then strain.

The extracted gelatin is filtered (or slightly treated with alum), left to settle, and the clear liquid is concentrated over low heat (adding rice wine and rock sugar 2 hours before completion). When thick, pour into molds to cool, then cut into rectangular blocks and air-dry. Each block weighs about 50–100 grams; small pieces about 5 grams.

The Dong’e Ejiao craft involves over 50 manual steps, including skin preparation, gelatin extraction, and drying. Boiling and drying are particularly complex, involving techniques like bead hanging, oil pounding, and monkey hanging, requiring six to seven years to master. The Dong’e Ejiao process is included in the national medical technology confidentiality program.