When it comes to eating eggshells, many people are curious if they are edible. The eggshell protects the egg inside, and since it feels a bit wasteful to just throw it away, people wonder if it can be eaten and what its benefits are.
1. Can you eat eggshells
You can eat eggshells. Wash the eggshells, place them in a microwave and heat on high power until they are completely dry and brittle. Let them cool, then place them on a clean, flat surface and crush them carefully with a rolling pin. The finer the powder, the better the texture. Eggshells can supplement calcium and are best consumed postpartum. One thing to note is that they must be crushed finely, otherwise the texture will be unpleasant.
2. Eggshells can relieve stomach pain
The main component of eggshells is calcium carbonate, which has a clear acid-suppressing effect. When they enter the human stomach, they cover the surface of ulcers and inflammation, effectively protecting the gastric mucosa. Additionally, the inner membrane of the eggshell has a good therapeutic effect on ulcerative diseases and was once called "Phoenix Skin" by traditional Chinese medicine, used as an ingredient in prescriptions for treating stomach ailments. Therefore, it can assist the eggshell in protecting the gastric mucosa. Wash and crush the eggshells, stir-fry them in an iron pan over low heat until they turn yellow (do not burn them), then grind them into a fine powder. The finer, the better. Take the amount of one eggshell daily, divided into 2-3 doses, taken with water before or after meals. It has an analgesic and acid-neutralizing effect for patients with duodenal ulcers, stomach pain, and excessive stomach acid.
3. Can eating eggshells supplement calcium
There is a medical basis for the claim that eating eggshells can supplement calcium.
According to the "National Compendium of Chinese Materia Medica," eggshells can "treat rickets in children." Eggshells contain over 90% calcium carbonate and a small amount of sodium carbonate, hydrogen phosphate, etc. When ground into a powder and taken orally, it can treat rickets in children.
It's not just children with rickets who need calcium supplementation; anyone can supplement calcium appropriately according to their own physical condition.
Eggshells are composed of calcium carbonate. After entering the human body, calcium carbonate reacts with stomach acid to produce free calcium ions, which can be absorbed by the body. It's worth noting that some health supplements also contain eggshell ingredients.
Therefore, it is correct that eggshells are edible and that eating them can supplement calcium. When consuming them, they must be disinfected at high temperatures to kill bacteria. However, not everyone is suitable for supplementing calcium by eating eggshells.
Clever uses of eggshells
1. Eggshell beauty
Eggshells have beauty-enhancing effects, especially the membrane underneath the shell, which is the innermost layer and has excellent beauty benefits. It is called "Phoenix Skin" and is rich in collagen. Applying it to the face, nose, or chin can effectively remove blackheads and dead skin. Moreover, the thin layer of egg white on the innermost part of the shell is a beauty treasure. Take a little, add a small spoonful of milk powder and honey to make a mask, apply it on the face, wash it off after 30 minutes, and your skin will feel refreshed and renewed.
2. Eggshells for calcium supplementation
Wash the eggshells, toast them over a low flame until they are crisp, then grind them into a powder and mix it with rice to make calcium-rich rice. A small bowl of calcium-rich rice with a small side dish of vegetable and egg salad can not only supplement the nutrients the body needs but also help with weight loss and beauty.
3. Eggshells for cleaning
Soaking fresh eggshells in water creates a solution of egg white and water. Using this solution to wipe glass or furniture can add shine. Crushing eggshells and putting them in rice water to wash dishes and pots can quickly remove grease. If you have a kettle with a thick layer of hard-to-remove scale, boiling two eggshells in it can remove all the scale.
Medicinal value of eggshells
Eggshells have the function of protecting the egg white and can be used as a calcium supplement, such as being ground into powder for feed or acid leaching. Eggshells can astringe, neutralize acid, strengthen bones, stop bleeding, and improve eyesight. They are mainly used to treat epigastric pain, acid reflux, vomiting of acid, children's rickets, various types of bleeding, cloudiness over the eyes, and sores and pustules.
1. Powder made from ground eggshells can be applied externally to treat wounds, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain. The inner membrane of the eggshell can also treat burns and relieve pain.
2. Eggshells contain up to 90% calcium carbonate and also small amounts of sodium carbonate, hydrogen phosphate, etc. When ground into a powder and taken orally, it can treat rickets in children.
3. Powder made from stir-fried yellow eggshells taken with hot water can treat diarrhea; taken before or after meals, it can alleviate stomach pain and has an analgesic and acid-neutralizing effect for patients with duodenal ulcers and excessive stomach acid. Furthermore, mixing eggshell powder with licorice powder, adding an appropriate amount of yellow rice wine to take orally, can also treat dizziness in women.