\r阿胶\ph402.bmp\r,出东平郡,煮牛皮作之,出东阿,故名阿胶。今郓州皆能作之,
以阿县城北井水作煮
为真。造之,用阿井水煎乌驴皮,如常煎胶法。其井官禁,真胶极难得,都下货者甚多,恐
非真。寻方书所说∶所以胜诸胶者,大抵以驴皮得阿井水乃佳耳。《广济方》疗摊缓风及诸
风手脚不遂,腰脚无力者,驴皮胶炙令微起,先煮葱豉粥一升,别贮,又以水一升,煮香豉
二合,去滓,内胶,更煮六、七沸,胶烊如饧,顿服之。及暖,吃前葱豉粥任意多少;如冷
吃,令人呕逆。顿服三、四剂即止。禁如药法。又胶之止泄,得蜡、黄连尤佳。《续传信方
》着张仲景调气方云∶治赤白痢,无问远近,小腹 痛不可忍,出入无常,下重痛闷,每发
面青,手足俱变者。黄连一两去毛,好胶手许大,碎蜡如弹子大,三味以水一大升,先煎胶
令散,次下蜡,又煎令散,即下黄连末,搅相和,分为三服,惟须热吃,冷即难吃,神妙。
此胶功用,皆谓今之阿胶也。故陈藏器云∶诸胶皆能疗风,止泄,补虚,而驴皮胶主风为最
。又今时方家用黄明胶,多是牛皮。《本经》阿胶亦用牛皮,是二皮亦通用。然今牛皮胶制
作
不甚精,但以胶物者,不堪药用之。当以鹿角所煎者,而鹿角胶,《本经》自谓之白胶,云
出云中。今处处皆得其法,可以作之。但功倍劳于牛胶,故鲜有真者,非自制造,恐多伪耳
。
Ejiao (Donkey-Hide Gelatin), produced in Dongping Commandery, is made by boiling cowhide, and is named after its origin in E' County. Currently, Yunzhou can also produce it, but the authentic product is made using well water from north of E' County Town. The preparation involves decocting black donkey hide with E' well water, following standard gelatin-making methods. The well is under official control, making genuine Ejiao extremely rare; most sold in the capital are likely counterfeit. Consulting medical texts: the superiority of Ejiao over other gelatins largely stems from the combination of donkey hide and E' well water. *Guangji Fang* treats Huanhuan Feng (a type of stroke characterized by flaccid paralysis) and various wind disorders causing inability to move limbs and weakness in the waist and legs. The donkey-hide gelatin is roasted until slightly blistered. First, decoct one sheng of scallion and fermented soybean porridge and set aside separately. Then, use one sheng of water to decoct two he of fragrant fermented soybeans, remove the dregs, add the gelatin, and boil for six or seven times until the gelatin melts like syrup. Take this in one dose. Keep warm and consume the previously prepared scallion and fermented soybean porridge as desired; cold consumption may induce vomiting and counterflow qi. Discontinue after three or four doses. Observe dietary restrictions as per medicinal guidelines. Furthermore, the antidiarrheal effect of Ejiao is particularly effective when combined with beeswax and Coptidis Rhizoma (*Huanglian*). *Xuan Chuan Xin Fang* records Zhang Zhongjing's Qi-Regulating Formula for treating red and white dysentery, regardless of duration, characterized by unbearable lower abdominal pain, irregular bowel movements, tenesmus and painful oppression, cyanosis of the face upon onset, and discoloration of hands and feet. Take one liang of Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma, hair removed), a piece of Ejiao (Donkey-Hide Gelatin) about the size of a hand, and a piece of beeswax the size of a bullet. Decoct these three ingredients in one da sheng of water. First, decoct the Ejiao until dissolved, then add the beeswax and decoct until dissolved. Finally, add powdered Huanglian, stir to mix evenly, and divide into three doses. Must be taken hot; cold administration is difficult and less effective. This formula is miraculous. These functions of Ejiao refer to the contemporary Ejiao. Therefore, Chen Cangqi stated: All gelatins can treat wind disorders, stop diarrhea, and tonify deficiency, but Donkey-Hide Gelatin is most effective for treating wind. Additionally, modern physicians often use Huangming Jiao (Yellow-Bright Gelatin), which is mostly made from cowhide. *Shennong Bencao Jing* also mentions using cowhide for Ejiao, indicating that both hides are interchangeable. However, contemporary cowhide gelatin is not refined enough; while suitable for adhesive purposes, it is unsuitable for medicinal use. One should use gelatin made from deer antlers. Deer-Antler Gelatin, referred to as Baijiao (White Gelatin) in *Shennong Bencao Jing*, was said to originate from Yunzhong Commandery. Currently, the method is available everywhere, allowing for production. However, its efficacy and labor cost are double that of cowhide gelatin, so genuine products are scarce. Unless self-manufactured, they are likely counterfeit.