About Swallow Birds Nest

Swallow Birds Nest is one of the four major traditional food supplements in China and has been regarded as the top precious product among delicacies. The four major traditional food supplements include Swallow Birds Nest, ginseng, shark’s fins and abalone while the eight precious products include Swallow Birds Nest, fox lip, camel hump, monkey head, bear palm, deer tendons, dried meat & ect. The practice of Swallow Birds Nest consumption by the Chinese can be traced to the Tang Dynasty where it was already one of the “royal tributes”. It was said that Queen Wu Ze Tian was one of the emperors in those days who loved Swallow Birds Nests. In the later part of the 17 th century, large quantities of Swallow Birds Nest were imported into China from Jakarta in Jawa each year. Swallow Birds Nests is a structure made from the saliva of swallows combined with other substances and what Westerners consider called “SWALLOW BIRDS NEST” is actually Swallow Birds Nests which can be eaten. The golden swallows which build such Swallow Birds Nests are different from the ordinary swallows we see. They are smaller in size with longer and sharper wings, shorter tails, thinner legs, strong flying capabilities and seldom walk or stand. They sleep or rest just like bats, by anchoring themselves onto structures. They utilize well-developed salivary glands to secrete saliva which solidifies when exposed to the air. Golden swallows build their nests three times a year and when they are about to lay eggs, their bodies grow fat and their saliva production increases, resulting in their ability to build larger nests. In times of urgency, they would use other building materials such as their own feathers, grass and roots and mix them with their saliva to build their nests. In fact, the reason swallows build their nests three times a year solely for the purpose of laying eggs for propagation purposes. They stay in each nest only once, waiting for their nestlings to grow up and leave the nest. Swallows take about forty five days to build their nests, seven to ten days to lay eggs and about fifteen days to hatch them. Swallow nestlings would be able to fly after forty five to fifty days. This process takes about one hundred and ten to one hundred and twenty days and harvesting of Swallow Birds Nest is done after the young swallows have flown away. The lifespan of golden swallows is about fifteen to twenty years. The Swallow Birds Nest production in South East Asia is mainly concentrated in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Burma and Vietnam. Among these nations, Malaysia produces the best quality Swallow Birds Nest .Quality is one of the important factors considered by those who love Swallow Birds Nest. About Swallow Birds Nest

About Swallow Birds Nest

1.The Benefits of Swallow Birds Nest

Swallow Birds Nest nourishes the lungs, dissolves phlegm and stops cough, providing a nourishing and clearing effect and is considered an excellent medicine for regulating and treating weakness. It has also been regarded as a beauty product. Other than its rich collagen water-soluble proteins and mucosaccharides which moisturizes the skin, Swallow Birds Nest also contains an epidermal growth factor which stimulates growth of cells and promotes their reproduction and regeneration according to the “Choice” monthly magazine from Hong Kong. Its active water-soluble protein also stimulates cell growth in the immune system, increasing metabolism, inhibiting gastric acids, promoting blood circulation, strengthening the heart and improving appetite which make it an excellent product for nourishing the body after recuperation from illnesses. There are recent reports on the web that modern medical evidence has proven that Swallow Birds Nest is actually an anti-oxidant with detoxifying effects. There is also evidence proving that the consumption of Swallow Birds Nest is effective in the treatment of lung cancer! Regardless of whether the miraculous effects above are true, Chinese medicine regards Swallow Birds Nest as possessing a sweet taste, mild in nature, neither cold nor heaty, nourishes the meridian of the lungs, stomach and kidneys while possessing nourishing effects for better circulation of oxygen in the body. The therapeutic effects of Swallow Birds Nest has been recognized since ancient times and one would derive benefits without fear of dangers even when it is consumed in large quantities.

2. The Effects of Swallow Birds Nest

1.Nourishes the lung and stops cough due to their weakness while reducing pathologic changes in ailments of the lungs. These include asthma, blood in the phlegm, coughing out blood, bronchitis, sweating and low flushing. 2.Nourishes the kidneys, warms up the stomach and stops vomiting. Treats upset stomach, retching and borborygmus. 3.Nourishes the lung and stops cough due to their weakness while reducing pathologic changes in ailments of the lungs. These include asthma, blood in the phlegm, coughing out blood, bronchitis, sweating and low flushing. 4.Swallow Birds Nest contains various types of amino acids which improves wisdom in infants and children. It also improves thinking and physique during the growing up stage, providing a rosy complexion while permanently preventing the growth of pimples. 5.Consumption of Swallow Birds Nest by pregnant women during pregnancy, the pre-natal and post-natal stages helps to stabilize and nourish the fetus. 6.Swallow Birds Nest is a natural food for increasing saliva production and it contains various types of amino acids which possess inhibitive and resistant effects towards cancer of the esophagus, cancer of the pharynx and liver and cancer of the intestines. 7.Complications due to radiotherapy and chemotherapy such as dryness of the throat, sore throat, constipation and nausea can be significantly improved by the consumption of Swallow Birds Nest. 8.It nourishes the skin, making it soft, supple, elastic and lustrous when consumed by old folks, resulting in rosier complexion while reducing wrinkles and with rejuvenating effects. 9.Swallow Birds Nest is an anti-oxidation food with detoxifying effects. Long term consumption slows down ageing. 10.Relieves fatigue from work or pressure from studies while improving memory. 11.Possesses cardiac improvement and pressure reduction properties. 12.Effective in the treatment of Hepatitis-B and cirrhosis.

3.Types of Swallow Birds Nest

We must make it clear right from the beginning that not all Swallow Birds Nests are edible. This is because most swallows build their nests with twigs, straw and earth which are not edible. The only type of Swallow Birds Nest is made by the golden swallow which lives in South East Asia. It spits out saliva onto cliffs to make nests and these are only made edible after harvesting and removal of feathers. Among these, the white Swallow Birds Nest and yellow Swallow Birds Nest are common while blood Swallow Birds Nests are rare, and due to its peculiar colour, it has been regarded as a precious product. Actually, there are many reasons as to the differences in the colour of Swallow Birds Nest. In the case of the golden swallow, possible reasons for the difference in colour of the Swallow Birds Nests may be due to differences in nesting locations and the different types of food they take and oxidation of the saliva by the air. Swallow Birds Nests come in various shapes including whole pieces, strips, cakes, pieces, broken pieces and balls. In terms of quality, it is divided into various categories such as house Swallow Birds Nest, cave Swallow Birds Nest, feathered Swallow Birds Nest, grass Swallow Birds Nest and the earth Swallow Birds Nest which is commercially valueless.

4. Examining Swallow Birds Nest from the bio-chemical point of view

According to an article entitled “A Study of Swallow Birds Nest” by Professor Jiang Run Xiang and Mr. Guan Pei Sheng from the Hong Kong Chinese University, Professor Jiang had announced a study report in 1987 proving that the protein in Swallow Birds Nest is rich in bio-active protein molecules. These molecules are probably the revitalizing factors in Swallow Birds Nest. In his article, Jiang said, “From the scientific research of today, we know that Swallow Birds Nest contains an Epidermal Growth Factor. Swallow Birds Nest is water soluble and can directly stimulate cell growth and improves the Mitogenic Stimulation Factor. These Epidermal Growth Factors coincide with the nourishing effects described in Chinese medicine and it has been deduced that Swallow Birds Nest possessed the following three properties: * Promotes regeneration of tissues; * Improves immunity of the body; * Improves resistance of the body against X-rays and other radiation. Another important property is the “beauty factor” which stimulates cellular fission and carries out repair on damaged skin, promoting the healing of post-surgical wounds. It affects the smoothness and ageing of human skin, activating cells in ageing skin, providing it with lustre and elasticity.

5. Examining Swallow Birds Nest from the nutritional point of view

Swallow Birds Nest contains sugars (an important factor for regulating immunity), amino acids contained in proteins and various trace elements (sodium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, copper, zinc, iron and iodine) from nutritional analysis. It is believed that the proteins contained in Swallow Birds Nest is a form of non-complete protein which is different from the proteins found in milk or eggs. Furthermore, there are certain trace substances in Swallow Birds Nest which are yet to be determined but which possess medical and therapeutic values. It is therefore wrong to evaluate Swallow Birds Nest from its sugar and protein contents.

6. How to stew and consume Swallow Birds Nest

It is best to use chlorine-free water or distilled water (R.O. water) to stew Swallow Birds Nest, or one may use mineral water. The amount for individual consumption is 5g to 6g. One important thing to note is the length of time in soaking and stewing Swallow Birds Nest, which are determined by the quality and type of Swallow Birds Nest used. House Swallow Birds Nest takes only 30 minutes to stew. The proper way to consume Swallow Birds Nest is to take it a little by little over many meals, best if taken once in the morning and once before bed or at least 3 times weekly. It is only in this way that the assimilation of the nutrients contained in Swallow Birds Nest and its effects are ensured. It is best to consume Swallow Birds Nest on an empty stomach as its assimilation is at its peak. According to traditional theories, the human body is at its most relaxed stage from 11.00 p.m. to 1.00 a.m. and this is also when it is most easily absorbed by the meridian and the human body. It also helps to remove excessive heat from the body.

7. Storage of Swallow Birds Nest

Swallow Birds Nest is expensive and should be stored away carefully to avoid molding due to dampness. One can store Swallow Birds Nest in clean plastic boxes lined with desiccating materials and airtight cover in a dry place. It is better to store it refrigerated while ensuring its dryness at temperatures around 5 °C for longer storage. For storing small quantities, seal it in a plastic bag and place it in the refrigerator to ensure its quality. All in all, Swallow Birds Nest should be store in an airy, cool and dry place away from sunlight.