Jī Nèi Jīn (鸡内金), known in English as Chicken gizzard membrane (Gallus gallus (gizzard lining)), is a neutral, sweet Chinese herb from the Relieve food stagnation category. It enters the Spleen, Stomach, Small Intestine and Bladder channels. Its main action: strongly reduces food stagnation.
| Pinyin | Jī Nèi Jīn (Ji Nei Jin) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 鸡内金 |
| English | Chicken gizzard membrane |
| Botanical name | Gallus gallus (gizzard lining) |
| Category | Relieve food stagnation |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Sweet |
| Channels | Spleen, Stomach, Small Intestine, Bladder |
| Dosage | 3–9g (powder 1.5–3g) |
| Cautions | No food stagnation |
Actions
- Strongly reduces food stagnation
- Strengthens Spleen and Stomach
- Secures Jing, stops enuresis
- Dissolves urinary and biliary stones
Indications
- Food stagnation
- Spleen deficiency with food accumulation
- Enuresis
- Spermatorrhoea
- Gallstones
- Kidney stones
How to remember Jī Nèi Jīn
Relieve food stagnation herbs are mostly sweet, and most enter the Stomach and Spleen channels.
- You can work these out
- Sweet: like most Relieve food stagnation herbs
- Spleen and Stomach channels: from its action “Strengthens Spleen and Stomach”
- Learn by heart
- Neutral: Relieve food stagnation herbs vary in nature
- Small Intestine and Bladder channels: nothing in its group or its actions points to them
Other Relieve food stagnation herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Jī Nèi Jīn?
Jī Nèi Jīn is neutral and sweet.
Which channels does Jī Nèi Jīn enter?
Jī Nèi Jīn enters the Spleen, Stomach, Small Intestine and Bladder channels.
What are the actions of Jī Nèi Jīn?
Strongly reduces food stagnation; Strengthens Spleen and Stomach; Secures Jing, stops enuresis; Dissolves urinary and biliary stones.
What is Jī Nèi Jīn used for?
Food stagnation; Spleen deficiency with food accumulation; enuresis; spermatorrhoea; gallstones; kidney stones.
Practise Jī Nèi Jīn and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
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