Did You Know?

A brief history of Swallow Bird’s Nest 燕窝

The history of Swallow Bird’s Nest 燕窝 or Yan Wo can be traced back to as far as 1,500 years ago when they were first traded in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). A number of historical sources state that between the years 1368 and 1644, Admiral Cheng He introduced Swallow Bird’s Nest to the imperial court of the Ming Dynasty.
During that era, only the royal family and officials had the privilege of consuming the highly priced Swallow Bird’s Nest 燕窝. It was only at the end of the imperial rule that the common people were introduced to Swallow Bird’s Nest 燕窝.

Did You Know?

Nutritional Benefits of Swallow Bird’s Nest

For centuries, Swallow Bird’s Nest 燕窝 has been consumed as a health tonic and delicacy for their rejuvenating, revitalising effects. It is considered a great delicacy, beauty enhancer and effective traditional medicine in the Chinese community throughout the world.
Traditionally, and as you may have heard as well, consuming Swallow Bird’s Nest 燕窝 on a regular basis can restore and maintain one's youthfulness. It can also provide increased energy, exuberant physical and mental strength and regulate circulation in the one's body. It's been used to nourish the kidneys, lungs, heart, raise libido, strengthen the immune system, improve concentration and increase metabolism.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine itself, Swallow Bird’s Nest 燕窝 is believed to have positive effects for treating dry coughs (or suppressing coughs), alleviating asthma, improving the voice, asthenia, stomach ulcer, relieving gastric troubles, and general bronchial ailments.
In recent decades, Swallow Bird’s Nest 燕窝 have also been making waves in modern western medicine. Many scientific studies have been conducted and Swallow Bird’s Nest have been found to be extremely rich in glycoprotein and amino acids. As reported by several studies, the eight essential amino acids needed by our human body are found in Swallow Bird’s Nest, with aspartic and serin listed as major amino acids present. These amino acids aid in strengthening our immunity, promoting skin healing and beautiful skin. Another major benefit of Swallow Bird’s Nest found was that the carbohydrate called sialic acid may enhance neurological and intellectual advantages in babies and young adolescents.
In a research conducted by the University of Shizuoka, Japan, extracts of Swallow Bird’s Nest 燕窝 were found to aid in the prevention of influenza viruses. In another research, Swallow Bird’s Nest have also been reported to enhance our immune system as well as having cell renewing and regeneration effects which supports the theory of anti aging properties. Swallow Bird’s Nest have also been found to contain glucosamine and may help alleviate joint pains as well as help in the treatment of osteoarthritis.
See below for scientific publications of health benefits of Swallow Bird’s Nest.

Different Types of Swallow Bird’s Nest

Cave Nests vs Red Blood Nest vs Birdhouse Nests
Cave Nests contain more foreign contaminants and feathers than Bird House nests. Cave Nests are more exposed to the environment and can sponge up a lot of minerals from the cave walls. Many of these minerals are not beneficial to say the least.
The so called "blood Swallow Bird’s Nest" are not produced by a different sub-species of swiftlet and neither is it actually "blood". The red colour comes from the absorption of chemicals from walls laced with minerals for example iron, zinc, copper and manganese. On oxidation these minerals will produce coloured nests. Consuming heavily coloured nests like these may cause more harm than good as they are soaked in minerals that may not be fit for human consumption. On top of this, unfortunately some unscrupulous producers even dye the nests to capitalise on unwary buyers.
In conclusion, Bird House nests in general are the safest and cleanest Swallow Bird’s Nest 燕窝 you can find in the market.