Digestive Herbal Remedy for Chicken Gizzard Membrane

Chicken Gizzard Membrane (Ji Nei Jin)
Pharmaceutical Name: Endothelium Corneum Gigeriae Galli
Common Name: Chicken Gizzard Lining
TCM Name: Ji Nei Jin

Overview:
Ji Nei Jin, known as Chicken Gizzard Membrane in English, is the dried inner lining of a chicken’s gizzard. It has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries to support digestion, resolve food stagnation, and promote the dissolution of urinary or biliary stones. With a neutral nature and sweet taste, it is commonly included in formulas for digestive disorders.

Source and Processing:
The inner lining is carefully separated from the chicken gizzard, cleaned, and dried before being used medicinally. It is typically ground into powder or decocted as part of herbal preparations.

Traditional Uses in TCM:

1. Promotes Digestion and Resolves Food Stagnation:
   Especially effective for treating indigestion, poor appetite, and childhood nutritional impairment due to improper diet.

2. Strengthens the Spleen and Enhances Nutrient Absorption:
   Used in cases of spleen deficiency to improve digestion and assimilation of food.

3. Dissolves Calculi (Stones):
   Traditionally used to help break down and facilitate the passage of kidney, gallbladder, and urinary tract stones.

4. Stops Enuresis (Involuntary Urination):
   Employed in pediatric formulas to address bedwetting and urinary incontinence due to deficiency conditions.

Pharmacological Properties:
Ji Nei Jin is rich in digestive enzymes and proteins that support its function in aiding digestion. It has shown effects in enhancing gastrointestinal motility, promoting the dissolution of mineral deposits, and supporting urinary tract health.

Preparation and Dosage:

• Form: Commonly powdered or used in decoctions.

• Dosage: Typical dosage is 3–9 grams per day, adjusted based on condition and form used.

Precautions:

• Should be used with caution in individuals with no signs of food retention or stone formation.

• Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before use, especially when used in children or in combination with other medications.