FAQS about Bird's Nest

FAQS about Bird's Nest

Swallow Birds Nest is an Swallow Birds Nest created by the Swallow Birds Nest using its saliva, along with other items for the purpose of breeding.  The shape of the nest is created to look like a shallow cup that is placed on the walls of caves.  The nest has high nutrients especially proteins, calcium, potassium, and other minerals, which are traditionally used for digestion, improving immune system, or alleviating symptoms of asthma. Swallow Birds Nest must be cleaned of all large impurities prior to consumption. These impurities can include feathers, twigs, and mud. The cleaning process is extremely time consuming and requires a lot of skill in performing. As the process is extremely tedious, there are certain individuals who will use chemicals, including chemical bleach, to clean the Swallow Birds Nest. Most chemicals are unhealthy and unethical to us.  Thus, when purchasing Swallow Birds Nest, make sure that it is a pure product with no chemical processing.

Q. What is Swallow Birds Nest?

A. Swallow Birds Nest, produced by Swallow Birds Nests (Collocalia species) is a glutinous secretion, also known as “nest cement”. The glycoprotein matrix is used to bind together materials for nest building, or construct a whole nest with it. The nest cement is secreted from a pair of sublingual glands located beneath the tongue of the Swallow Birds Nest. A Swallow Birds Nest Swallow Birds Nest is built primarily for laying eggs and housing the baby Swallow Birds Nests. After the eggs have been laid and hatched, the baby Swallow Birds Nests will remain in the nest for at least 45 days until it is able to fly away independently. The Swallow Birds Nest becomes abandoned and will never be re-used. If not harvested, scavengers such as ants, lizards and cockroaches will consume the Swallow Birds Nest.

Q. How did Swallow Birds Nest originate?

A. The Chinese have been consuming Swallow Birds Nest since more than 1,500 years ago. Swallow Birds Nest was often used for trading in exchange for porcelain from the Tang Dynasty. During the Ming Dynasty (1368 A.D. to 1644 A.D.), the famous navigator, Admiral Zheng He, was sent by the emperor to develop trade routes to the southern sea. Amongst the rare and exotic products that he brought back was Swallow Birds Nest. Ever since then, a progressive familiarity of the Swallow Birds Nest evolved through time and more Chinese have had the chance to taste Swallow Birds Nest. Since ancient times, Swallow Birds Nest has been known as a precious health tonic with medical and health enhancing effects. Due to the complex and expansive procedures involved in procuring Swallow Birds Nest, its rarity and premium value have earned the title of “white gold”. It is also listed as one of the “eight delicacies” with other precious products such as sea cucumber, shark’s fin, fish maw, bear’s paw and deer tendon etc.

Q. What is the look, smell, feel, of pure Swallow Birds Nest?

A. Pure Swallow Birds Nest has a translucent look and free from impurities under examination of the naked eye. All Swallow Birds Nest varies in shape and sizes so a uniformly shaped Swallow Birds Nest is likely to have been unnaturally altered during the cleaning process. Pure Swallow Birds Nest originally smells similar to the scent of egg white. Pure Swallow Birds Nest should be dried to avoid natural accumulation of sodium nitrite. (The sodium in Swallow Birds Nest, nitrogen in air and water will react to form nitrite). Pure Swallow Birds Nest is quite fragile and can be broken easily.

Q. Why are some Swallow Birds Nests different in colour?

A. Swallow Birds Nest contains minerals like copper, iron, zinc, manganese, potassium and sodium. When these minerals are oxidized, they will result in a colour change to the Swallow Birds Nest. It is inadvisable to consume heavily-coloured Swallow Birds Nest.

Q. How do I store Swallow Birds Nest?

A. Swallow Birds Nest can be stored in any container that is dry and preferably airtight. Swallow Birds Nest can be kept at room temperature or even in the refrigerator. YUPINZHEN Swallow Birds Nest is the driest Swallow Birds Nest on the market and our Swallow Birds Nest can be kept at room temperature for ten years or more.

Q. How often can I eat Swallow Birds Nest? Can I eat too much Swallow Birds Nest?

A. Swallow Birds Nest can be consumed daily. An average person can consume anything between 3g to 5g of dry Swallow Birds Nest. Any excess consumption will be discharged by the body.

Q. Who is unsuitable to eat Swallow Birds Nest? Who is suitable?

A. Swallow Birds Nest is suitable for all age groups but some small minority of people who are allergic to protein may find it unsuitable.

Q. How to prepare Swallow Birds Nest?

A. Soak Swallow Birds Nest in warm water for 15 minutes, then change the water and soak for another 2 to 3 hours till the Swallow Birds Nest expands and softens. Double-boil the Swallow Birds Nest with the water over a medium fire for about 2 to 3 hours. For those with a sweet tooth, add rock sugar and the Swallow Birds Nest is ready to serve. For those with a more savoury palate, chicken or ham broth can be added but note that salt should only be added just before consumption as it will cause the Swallow Birds Nest to be disintergrated during boiling.

Q. What is the ideal time to consume Swallow Birds Nests?

A. It is best to consume Swallow Birds Nest in the morning and at night before consuming other food. This will ensure that the nutrients are easily absorbed into the body. If on a diet, it is recommended that the Swallow Birds Nest be consumed in the morning before consuming other food. Adding honey to the Swallow Birds Nest for consumption at night before sleep also aids in the absorption of the nutrients. In addition, it can promote better sleep and improve complexion. The ideal way to consume Swallow Birds Nest is to take in small quantities at frequent, regular periods.

Q. What are the scientific benefits of consuming Swallow Birds Nests?

A. Scientific documentations regarding health effects are very limited in published literature. It is not until recently that the biological effects of EBN are being investigated and evidence-based studies are being conducted. Several studies have found that EBN may enhance cell proliferation and differentiation and various beneficial effects have been reported in vitro as well as in vivo. While these studies point towards the potential use of EBN in the treatment or even prevention of several diseases, the mechanisms of action of EBN remain largely unknown and more explorations are needed. International scientists have separately reported preliminary findings on seven broad areas of health benefits:
1. Possibility in activating and proliferating human stem cells, thereby enhancing cellular renewal and ultimately whole body rejuvenation.
2. Possibility in protection against viral infections through binding of specific sialic acids
3. Possibility in promoting brain development and enhancing learning and memory through specific siaylated glycoproteins.
4. Possibility in strengthening of the lungs through thickening of the dermal layer lining the respiratory system.
5. Possibility in having would healing properties, especially eye wounds.
6. Possibility in the inhibition of expression of specific genetic elements involved in aging via down-regulation of specific bio-molecular pathways that lead to cellular deterioration and overall aging.
7. Possibility in the regulation of calcium in biochemical pathways, thereby improving bone strength and bone density, including protection against osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.

Q. What are the concerns when buying or consuming Swallow Birds Nests? What is the solution?

1. Contamination by chemicals
A. Of particular concern is nitrite which is derived mainly from the faeces of the swiflets. Ingestion of excessive nitrites had been linked to cancer. This is the main reason why China had imposed a ban on the import of EBN in July 2011.
2. Contamination by germs
A. Viruses, bacteria and fungus could contaminate EBN in the wild or in the factory during processing. In Apr 2013, the bird flu virus H5N1 was reported to be present in dead Swallow Birds Nests from certain Swallow Birds Nest’s farms.
3. Adulterated products
A. For business gains, adulteration of EBN commonly takes place. Adulterants used include pig skin, agar, red seaweed and karaya gum. In order to camouflage adulterants and waste matters, bleaches are often added.