Hellooooo! This is the second post in this blog series; I hope you're all enjoying them and learning something new.
Today, I'm going to focus on bird's nest! I know bird's nest is not a commonly used ingredient, but it is used in beauty regiments (primarily in Asia), and it's readily available as a mask from MBD and I'm sure people wonder what bird's nest even does!
First of all, let's start with the basics. Bird's nest is very very expensive, with some sources saying it ranges from several thousands of dollars per pound. They're made from the saliva of a type of cave-dwelling birds called swiftlets. Because the nests are located within caves, the nests are difficult and dangerous to harvest, thus giving them their high price. Those who harvest bird's nests will leave some behind, just so the swiftlet can remake their home easily.
Traditionally, bird's nest is consumed as a soup/liquid dessert. I think there are many various different ways of preparing it, but the way I have always consumed it was through a sweetened boiled milk, with the bird's nest submerged in it. It doesn't have much of a taste; you eat bird's nest for its texture and health/beauty benefits. Another popular way to consume it in China/Hong Kong is through a liquid sugar mixture with bird's nest. These things are actually really expensive, so I don't get to buy any unless someone has a free coupon for it.
Scientists have not declared and/or labeled bird's nest with any heath benefits, but it is believed by the ancient Chinese that "the nests are considered to have a high nutritional and medicinal value, believed to have everything from anti-aging and anti-cancer properties to the ability to improve concentration and raise libido" (Parry 2012).
It was difficult to gather information from reliable sources for this one. I believe most published scientific papers would have been written in Chinese, and my reading comprehension skills for Chinese are terrible, so take the rest of the information with a grain of salt.
The Chinese University of Hong Kong apparently conducted a scientific study on bird's nest before. Their conclusion was that the water-soluble protein of bird's nest contains a Mitogenic Stimulation Factor and Epidermic Growth Factor. These two factors can:
- Enhance the rebirth of cells
- Reinforce the immune system
- Restore energy and stamina
- Boost heart functions
- Supply, distribute heat energy throughout body
Generally... those all are things that have been told to me by my mother as well, so I assume benefits about bird's nests are all YMMV since there is a lack of reputable scientific papers about its health benefits.
Bird's Nest is supposed to improve your skin's collagen and "whiteness". This mask also helps moisturize your skin and makes it feel super soft. It erases dullness and roughness, making skin translucent, tender and smooth. Like any other mask though, these are all going to be instant effects that won't last for long. They'll be perfect if you need a boost of instant moisture before a big fancy event or whatever, but don't expect your skin to look perfect after using this a few time!
As bird's nest grows in popularity, it has been exported to Korean beauty products as well! A few years ago, all the bird's nest products were made in China or Taiwan and were primarily done through face masks. While the most popular form of bird's nest beauty products are still in masks, some companies have turned it into shower gels, and creams.
At the end of the day, whether or not you believe that bird's nest is beneficial to your beauty, it is a popular ingredient and has been used for a very long time in Chinese history. Bird's nest is better to be consumed, but because that is very very expensive, using MBD's bird's nest mask is probably the best way to try out bird's nest.
Let me know if you've ever tried bird's nest! Did you find it helpful towards your skin or did it not do much for you? You can buy the MBD mask on www.sasa.com and www.amazon.com
Sources
- http://www.livescience.com/21534-edible-birds-nests-health.html
- http://www.emperiobirdsnest.com/benefits
- http://www.amazon.com/My-Beauty-Diary-Birds-Nest/dp/B00DOKA468
No comments:
Post a Comment