A practical guide to Ji Zi Huang: what it is, how Traditional Chinese Medicine uses it, the classical formulas it appears in, and who should be careful with it.
Last reviewed Oct 13, 2026| Latin Name | Galli Gigerii Endothelium Corneum / Egg Yolk |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 雞子黃 · Ji Zi Huang |
| Medicinal Part | Zoological substances |
| The item | Ji Zi Huang is chicken egg yolk. Cook it and add it at the end. E Jiao is a different official drug. |
| Nature and channels (traditional) | Sweet, neutral. Enters the Heart and Kidney. Sweet neutrality nourishes yin, moistens dryness, nourishes blood, and extinguishes wind. |
| Actions (traditional) | Nourishes yin and moistens dryness. Nourishes blood and extinguishes wind. Used for heat disease damaging yin, and deficiency vexation with insomnia; external tradition includes scalds. |
| Pattern cues | Deficiency vexation and insomnia. Heat disease damaging yin. Red tongue with little fluid. |
| In this article | Ji Zi Huang versus E Jiao and egg white. Its place in Huang Lian E Jiao Tang. Why it is cooked and added at the end. Why dampness should skip large amounts. Who should skip it. |
Ji Zi Huang (鸡子黄; Jī Zǐ Huáng; English: egg yolk) is the yolk of a domestic chicken egg. The current pharmacopoeia usually does not give it a separate monograph. It is a traditional food-medicine. It is sweet and neutral. Tradition enters it in the Heart and Kidney, and its core actions are to nourish yin and moisten dryness, and to nourish blood and extinguish wind. In Huang Lian E Jiao Tang it is stirred in after the decoction is ready. Do not boil it long. Cook it fully. Do not eat it raw. It is not E Jiao. Donkey-hide glue nourishes blood, enriches yin, moistens dryness, and stops bleeding, and is melted separately. It is not the white. Egg white clears heat. Nourishing yin is weak. Exuberant dampness in the spleen and stomach, and much phlegm with loose stools, are a poor match for large amounts. Deficiency vexation with insomnia needs pattern diagnosis. It is not a sleep snack.
Traditionally it is used most often for three patterns:
The traditional amount is often 1–3 yolks, added at the end. Sweet, neutral, and moist, it is not a daily “yin egg yolk” to keep increasing. Enriching when there is no yin damage generates dampness.
When yin is damaged in the late stage of a heat disease, and Heart and Kidney do not communicate, deficiency vexation and insomnia are common. Ji Zi Huang is sweet and neutral. It nourishes and extinguishes wind, which is why it appears in Huang Lian E Jiao Tang. It enriches more than it moves. A greasy coating and bloating get more stagnant if more is added.
Ji Zi Huang is not a catch-all yin or sleep food. In exuberant dampness and much phlegm, or when there is no yin damage, using it alone can cloy the diaphragm. Whether it belongs in Huang Lian E Jiao Tang should be decided by a licensed Chinese medicine practitioner after pattern diagnosis.
Identification & Quality Standard
Galli Gigerii Endothelium Corneum / Egg Yolk
Botanical Origin
The yolk of Gallus gallus domesticus Brisson (Phasianidae).
Production Regions
Used fresh from domestic fowl throughout China.
Quality Requirements
Superior material is from fresh eggs, deep yellow, and free of spoilage.
Fresh yolk is spherical, orange-yellow to deep yellow, viscous and oily; cooked yolk is powdery and crumbly.
Unlike many herbs that require a specific geographical region to be considered high quality, Ji Zi Huang (Egg Yolk) can be sourced anywhere. Its quality depends more on the farming method.
Sweet; NeutralHeartKidneySpleen
Different TCM doctors have highlighted different strengths of Ji Zi Huang (Egg Yolk). Some focus on its ability to build up the body (nourishing Yin and Blood), while others praise its ability to clear "empty heat" and relieve restlessness and dry mouth.
Traditional Functions
Nourishes yin and blood, moistens dryness, and calms the spirit. Apply to yin-blood deficiency with vexation and insomnia, as in Huang Lian E Jiao Tang.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ji Zi Huang (Egg Yolk) is highly valued for its ability to replenish the body's Yin fluids.
Ji Zi Huang (Egg Yolk) is also traditionally used to nourish the blood and settle an agitated mind.
A classic TCM pairing is Ji Zi Huang (Egg Yolk) and E Jiao (Donkey-Hide Gelatin).
Modern research offers useful context, but Traditional Chinese Medicine prescribes on whole-pattern diagnosis rather than isolated compounds.
Modern nutritional analysis shows that Ji Zi Huang (Egg Yolk) is rich in fats, proteins, lecithin, iron, calcium, and Vitamins A, D, and E.
Current scientific interest is mostly focused on two areas:
Both Ji Zi Huang (Egg Yolk) and E Jiao (Donkey-Hide Gelatin) are used to nourish Yin and Blood. They both target symptoms like insomnia, hot palms, and dry stools.
In short, Ji Zi Huang (Egg Yolk) is for gentle, everyday mood and Yin support, while E Jiao (Donkey-Hide Gelatin) is a heavy-duty tonic for blood loss. They are not interchangeable.
Here is a safe, easy home remedy: Ji Zi Huang (Egg Yolk) Calming Porridge.
While Ji Zi Huang (Egg Yolk) is generally safe, always consult your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking blood thinners, blood pressure meds, or sedatives. When using this for wellness, avoid eating heavy, spicy, or greasy foods, as they will block its benefits and worsen internal "dampness."
Because it is a natural food, side effects are rare when used correctly. However, eating too many yolks can cause bloating, indigestion, or a dry mouth. Stop immediately and seek medical help if you experience any allergic reactions, rapid swelling, continuous vomiting, or breathing difficulties.
Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.
