According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ejiao is sweet and neutral in nature, with the effects of nourishing yin, enriching blood, and stabilizing pregnancy. Research indicates that Ejiao contains various proteins, amino acids, calcium, and other elements, which can help balance blood calcium levels and promote red blood cell production. Additionally, Ejiao can help raise blood pressure and prevent hemorrhagic shock. Now, let me introduce you to some healthy ways to consume Ejiao for wellness!
The Effects and Functions of Ejiao
Effects on the Hematopoietic System: Ejiao has a significant blood-enriching effect, which is superior to that of iron supplements.
Regulating Menstruation and Stabilizing Pregnancy: The primary function of Ejiao is to enrich the blood. Menstrual irregularities can have various causes, mainly blood deficiency, blood stasis, and blood heat. For blood deficiency, taking Ejiao alone can be effective. For blood stasis or heat, it can be appropriately combined with other herbs. After conception, yin and blood gather to nourish the fetus, which can easily lead to deficiency, manifesting as an unstable fetus, fetal movement agitation, or even miscarriage. Ejiao nourishes yin and blood, benefits the Chong and Ren meridians, thus it can support the pregnancy and treat gestational diseases. The lysine, arginine, histidine, cystine, calcium, sulfur, and other elements in Ejiao contribute to stabilizing the pregnancy.
Anti-Shock Effect: In an experiment, anesthetized cats were repeatedly bled from the femoral artery to induce severe hemorrhagic shock. An intravenous injection of approximately 8ml/kg of a 5%-6% Ejiao solution restored the extremely low blood pressure to a normal level, and the effect was relatively long-lasting. In another experiment, anesthetized cats were intravenously injected with histamine to lower blood pressure. Repeated injections of 10ml of isotonic sodium chloride solution four times did not significantly raise the blood pressure. Subsequently, an intravenous injection of 20ml of a 5% Ejiao solution gradually restored the blood pressure to normal.
Effect on Calcium Metabolism: It can improve the calcium balance in animals.
Beauty and Skin Care: By enriching the blood, Ejiao moisturizes the skin and is beneficial for skin health. It has been regarded as a beauty product for women throughout history. After taking Ejiao, the complexion becomes ruddy, the skin becomes delicate and lustrous, which is the combined result of Ejiao's nutritional effect on the skin and its promotion of calcium absorption and maintenance.
Improving Sleep: By nourishing yin, enriching blood, and tonifying deficiency, Ejiao restrains the fire that disturbs the heart spirit. It can strengthen calcium nutrition, maintain nerve function, and has a strong sedative effect. It can also enhance central nervous function, stabilize mood, and alleviate depression, tension, and irritability, thereby providing a calming effect.
Others: Ejiao promotes the transformation of lymphocytes in healthy individuals.
Ejiao Usage Precautions:
1. The medicinal dosage of Ejiao is generally 3-9 grams, and it is best taken before meals. The specific dosage should be determined based on individual physical condition.
2. Because Dong'e Ejiao is relatively mild and can be used both as medicine and food, it is a suitable tonic for long-term, consistent use. The "Shennong Ben Cao Jing" (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica Classic) states that "long-term use of Ejiao makes the body light and strengthens qi." Therefore, as long as there are no significant adverse reactions after taking it, consuming Ejiao products year-round is a good health habit.
3. When taking Ejiao, do not take it when you have a cold, and do not drink tea or eat red radish at the same time.
4. For women, if menstrual flow changes during the period, stop or reduce the dosage and decide whether to continue based on the changes.
5. Do not take the product if its appearance or properties have changed.
6. Pregnant women, individuals with high blood pressure, and those with diabetes should take it under the guidance of a physician.
7. Children must use it under adult supervision.
Ejiao Jujube (Red Dates with Ejiao)
How to Choose Authentic Ejiao?
To buy good Ejiao, you can identify it by looking, smelling, and breaking it.
1. Observe its color. Authentic Ejiao cakes have a flat shape, neat edges and corners, a surface that is dark brown or black with a luster, and semi-transparent edges. Counterfeits often have inconsistent sizes and thicknesses, uneven pores, a darker color, and a rough, lusterless surface.
2. Smell its aroma. Authentic Ejiao has no hideous odor and does not become soft and damp in summer. Crush a piece, place it in a cup, add an appropriate amount of boiling water, cover the cup, and let it sit for 1-2 minutes. When opened, it has a rich Ejiao fragrance. Alternatively, remove the outer packaging of the Ejiao cake, wrap it in a hot, damp towel for 1-2 minutes, and it will have a fragrant aroma when unwrapped. Counterfeits have no Ejiao fragrance but have a fishy, foul smell. When heated in water, a layer of "oil" appears on the liquid surface, and it has a meat broth flavor.
3. Break it by hand. The authentic product is hard and brittle; it does not bend when broken and fractures easily. The断面 has no pores, and it will shatter into several pieces with a strong tap, i.e., "hard and brittle." Counterfeits are tough, not easily broken, and may even bend.
This is How to Eat Ejiao to Enrich Blood and Promote Health
(1) Ejiao, Scutellaria, Coptis, and White Peony
Ejiao 15g, Scutellaria, Coptis, and White Peony 6g each. Decoct in water to extract the juice, let it cool slightly, then add 2 egg yolks and mix well. Take it warm three times a day.
Effects: Nourishes the liver and enriches blood, clears heat and calms the mind.
Indications: ① Dizziness due to blood deficiency, ② Vexation, ③ Insomnia, etc.
(2) Ejiao with Cooked Jujubes
Place 10 large jujubes in a pot with an appropriate amount of water and 6g of Ejiao. Drink the soup and eat the jujubes.
Effects: Nourishes blood and strengthens the spleen.
Indications: Deficiency of both heart and spleen, palpitations, insomnia, etc.
(3) Ejiao Egg Soup
Ejiao 10g, one egg. Cook Ejiao with a bowl of water to make egg drop soup. Add sugar and serve hot.
Effects: Nourishes yin and enriches blood, stabilizes pregnancy.
Indications: Insufficiency of yin and blood, fetal agitation, restlessness and vexation, consumptive cough.
Poo dates