Health Preservation: Bird's Nest Truly Has Anti-Aging and Skin-Brightening Effects
Many celebrities are said to eat bird's nest for skin beauty. Does bird's nest really have anti-aging effects? Are there any contraindications? Can I eat it? In Xiamen, bird's nest is extremely popular as a tonic. A single store of Yan Zhi Wu sells 200,000 yuan worth of bird's nest monthly, with some customers buying 30,000–40,000 yuan at once. Yet many remain skeptical, unsure who should consume it. Dr. Weng Lili, head of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Cosmetology Department at Xiamen City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, says from a TCM perspective, bird's nest contains abundant collagen and indeed has anti-aging and skin-brightening effects—but long-term regular consumption is needed for results. She believes it unnecessary to eat daily; consuming once or twice a week, 5 grams per serving, is sufficient.
Dr. Ke Liancai, chief physician of traditional Chinese medicine at Xiamen Medical Research Institute, states bird's nest nourishes yin, moistens lungs, strengthens qi, supplements the middle burner, helps prevent cancer, lower cholesterol, and combat aging. It suits those with yin deficiency constitution. While it is a food, it also offers auxiliary therapeutic benefits but should not replace primary medications or be relied upon solely for treating diseases. It is beneficial for tuberculosis, yin-deficient cough, hemoptysis, night sweats due to yin deficiency, and elderly individuals with yin deficiency and phlegm-related wheezing.
Not everyone should eat bird's nest. Dr. Ke warns against its use by those with colds, spleen-stomach deficiency-cold with dampness, or excessive yellow, sticky phlegm. Those with spleen-stomach deficiency-dampness may experience dark urine and constipation after consumption. Some claim cancer patients should avoid bird's nest, but Dr. Ke confirms no such restriction exists.
Regarding the idea that smokers benefit more from eating bird's nest, Dr. Ke advises careful evaluation. Although bird's nest helps repair lung damage caused by smoking, many smokers produce excessive yellow, sticky phlegm—making bird's nest unsuitable.