Eggs are one of the most common foods in daily life. Through the wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) dietary therapy, pairing them with different ingredients can help nourish the five organs (liver, heart, spleen, lungs, kidneys), promoting health and preventing diseases.
Dr. Wu Hongqian, the director of Yisheng TCM Clinic in Taiwan, authored Egg Therapy: TCM Secret Recipes for the Five Major Organs. Dr. Wu explains that the book was inspired by patients with anemia who did not improve with medication, especially some vegetarians with improper dietary habits. For those who consume eggs, he recommends a diet rich in eggs to alleviate anemia symptoms quickly.
Dr. Wu enjoys eating eggs, consuming two to three boiled eggs daily. “When I eat eggs, I feel good, thinking about the many benefits eggs bring to the body.”
The benefits of eating eggs
Many studies have found that eggs are rich in all essential amino acids and are an important source of vitamin A and B-complex vitamins, as well as minerals such as iron, zinc, and calcium. Researchers believe they also contain many bioactive compounds that have yet to be discovered, which may be significant for disease prevention and treatment. Dr. Wu highlights several lesser-known health benefits.:
- Lutein absorption: Research shows that while the lutein content in eggs is not as high as in leafy greens, it is more easily absorbed by the body. Lutein is a crucial component of the retina’s macula, protecting it against blue light and helping to prevent age-related macular degeneration. Dr. Wu notes that he used to consume goji berries to protect his eyes, but after increasing his egg intake, he no longer needs goji berries and has not developed presbyopia.
- Rich in selenium: Eggs are rich in the trace element selenium (Se). According to the USDA, one egg contains about 15.6 micrograms of selenium, and consuming four eggs daily exceeds the recommended intake of 55 micrograms. Selenium is a vital component of antioxidant enzymes, helping to eliminate free radicals and reduce oxidative stress.
- Promotes nitric oxide synthesis: Amino acids in eggs, such as arginine, can be converted into nitric oxide, an important neurotransmitter that aids vasodilation, improves blood circulation, lowers blood pressure, and may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Do eggs raise cholesterol?
Due to the high cholesterol content in egg yolks, some worry about the cardiovascular burden of eating them. However, studies have found that the body does not easily absorb the cholesterol in eggs. Consuming 150 grams (about three eggs) shows no difference in blood cholesterol levels compared to eating vegetables. Harvard medical student Nick Norwitz ate 720 eggs in a month, averaging 24 eggs daily, and his cholesterol levels not only did not increase, but actually decreased by 18 percent.
Eggs are beneficial inside and out
Dr. Wu also points out that every part of the egg, from the shell to the yolk, has medicinal value and health benefits.
- Eggshell: It contains calcium carbonate, which can supplement calcium or treat excess stomach acid. For osteoporosis patients, it is recommended to clean the eggshell and place it in a bowl with a small amount of water and a few drops of lemon juice. After steaming the egg, the calcium in the shell dissolves into the lemon water, forming calcium citrate, which is more easily absorbed.
- Egg membrane: The egg membrane prevents microbial invasion. It is also used in TCM; washing it clean and boiling it in water can protect the respiratory tract and relieve asthma, chronic bronchitis, and cough. Adding a little lemon improves the taste.
- Egg white: Egg white promotes tissue repair, has antioxidant properties, and boosts immunity. It also contains antibacterial components and can be applied to the skin for anti-inflammatory effects.
- Egg yolk: The most nutritious part, rich in lecithin, nourishes the brain, benefits children’s brain development, and prevents dementia in the elderly. In TCM, egg yolk is used medicinally to treat epilepsy and spasms. It has calming and sedative effects, which are beneficial for pregnant women to stabilize the fetus.
Nourishing the five organs and food pairings
TCM believes that the body’s five organs — liver, heart, spleen, lungs, and kidneys — correspond to different energy systems within the body, and each has recommended food pairings:
- Liver: The liver’s energy system comprises the liver, the autonomic nervous system, blood, and the eyes.
- Recommendations: Celery leaf egg soup, salted egg stir-fried bamboo shoots.
- Heart: The heart’s energy system comprises the heart, circulatory system, emotions, sleep, and tongue.
- Recommendations: Braised pork ribs with stewed eggs, pork, and glutinous rice egg porridge.
- Spleen: The spleen’s energy system comprises the digestive system and oral cavity.
- Recommendations: Smooth egg porridge, steamed eggs with clams, glutinous rice pepper omelet.
- Lungs: The lung’s energy system includes the respiratory system, skin, and nose.
- Recommendations: Apple egg cup, steamed egg with sugar.
- Kidneys: The kidneys are part of the urinary, reproductive, nervous, bone, hair, and ear energy systems.
- Recommendations: Chawanmushi, loofah shrimp egg stew.
Healthy recipes
Skin tends to dry out in the cold autumn and winter months, and respiratory infectious diseases are more prevalent. TCM suggests that nourishing the lungs helps protect the skin and prevent respiratory infections. Dr. Wu recommends consuming apple egg cups and seasonal vegetable potato chicken baked eggs.
Apple egg cup
Ingredients:
- 1 apple
- 1 egg
Instructions:
- Choose an apple with a flat bottom. Cut a triangular top cap from the top of the apple with a small knife.
- Scoop out the core and some flesh to form a cup inside the apple.
- Pour the egg white and yolk into the apple and cover it with the original triangular top cap.
- Steam in a steamer for 40 minutes and eat while hot.
Seasonal vegetable potato chicken baked eggs
Ingredients:
- 150 g potatoes
- 4 cherry tomatoes
- 100 g chicken thigh meat
- 2 leaves of bok choy (or any green vegetable)
- 3 eggs
- 1 tbsp Parmesan cheese powder
- A suitable amount of black olives
Instructions:
- Cut all ingredients into small pieces.
- Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a pan and stir-fry the ingredients until cooked.
- Add 1-2 tbsp of oil, pour in the egg mixture, stir gently over medium heat until half-cooked, then slowly bake over low heat.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese powder, cover, and let it cook until the top egg mixture is fully cooked.
- Serve on a small plate, then invert it onto a larger plate and sprinkle with additional cheese powder, if desired.
Winter is an excellent season for nourishing the kidneys, and Dr. Wu also recommends two kidney-nourishing recipes.
Chive scrambled eggs
Ingredients:
- 2 eggs
- 300 g chives
- 3 tbsp cooking oil
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- A pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Beat the eggs and set aside.
- Wash and dry the chives, chop finely, heat 3 tbsp of cooking oil in a pan, pour in the egg mixture, and stir-fry quickly over high heat until the egg is half-set.
- Add salt and sesame oil, and stir-fry until the egg is fully set.
Note: Chives are warm and can exacerbate inflammation. People with otitis media, tonsillitis, gastritis, or high blood pressure should avoid excessive consumption.
Smooth egg with shrimp
Ingredients:
- 20 shrimp
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp rice wine
- a little oil
- chopped green onions
Instructions:
- Mix 1/2 tsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp water in a bowl.
- Marinate the shrimp with rice wine.
- Beat 4 eggs into the cornstarch water, add salt, and mix well.
- Heat oil in a pan. Cook the shrimp, then pour in the egg mixture. Stir until just set, turn off the heat, and garnish with green onions.
Note: People with allergic asthma, gout, or hyperthyroidism should not consume too much shrimp.
Who should avoid eating eggs?
Patients with end-stage liver disease and chronic kidney disease should limit protein intake and avoid consuming large amounts of eggs.
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