Eggs are among the most common foods in many people’s daily lives. Through the dietary wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), eggs combined with different ingredients can regulate the five internal organs—liver, heart, spleen, lungs, and kidneys—and play a role in health preservation and disease prevention.

Dr. Wu Hongqian, director of Yisheng Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic in Taiwan and author of the book “Egg Therapy: The Secret of TCM on the Five Internal Organs and Symptomatic Egg Diet Health Tips.” The impetus for the book, he said, was that some anemia patients in his clinic were not getting better after taking medicine, especially some vegetarians. For those who were ovo-egg vegetarians, he recommended eating a large number of eggs as part of their therapy to achieve a quicker reverse from anemia symptoms.

Wu said eggs are also his favorites, and he eats two to three boiled eggs every morning. “Whenever I eat eggs, I feel good as I think that they offer many benefits for my body.”

The Many Benefits of Eggs

Wu pointed out that eggs also provide the following less familiar health benefits: 

Lutein

Studies have found that although the amount of lutein in eggs is not as high as that in green leafy vegetables, it is more easily absorbed by the human body. Lutein is a vital component of the retinal macula and can protect against blue light and prevent age-related macular degeneration. Wu said that when he was young, he often ate wolfberries for eye protection. However, after eating more eggs but no wolfberries recently, he has not experienced presbyopia.

Rich in Selenium and Antioxidants 

Nitric Oxide Synthesis and Cardiovascular System Protection

Do Eggs Enhance Cholesterol?

Nick Norwitz, a medical student at Harvard, ate 720 eggs in a month, averaging 24 eggs a day, and his cholesterol not only did not rise but fell by 18 percent.

Beneficial From the Inside Out

Eggshell for Calcium Supplementation

Eggshells are rich in calcium carbonate, which can help supplement calcium intake and may aid in relieving symptoms of hyperacidity. For individuals with osteoporosis or those needing extra calcium, here’s a simple method to convert the calcium in eggshells into a more absorbable form—calcium citrate:

Ingredients:

• 
  

  1–2 whole eggs (with clean, intact shells)

  
  


• 
  

  A few tablespoons of water

  
  


• 
  

  About 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice

  
  

Instructions:

1. 
   

   Wash eggs thoroughly to remove any dirt or bacteria from the shells

   
   


2. 
   

   Place whole eggs (uncooked) in a small heatproof bowl

   
   


3. 
   

   Add just enough water to partially submerge eggs (2–3 tablespoons), along with a few drops of lemon juice

   
   


4. 
   

   Steam the bowl with the eggs, water, and lemon mixture for 10–15 minutes. The heat and acid from the lemon will help dissolve some of the calcium carbonate from the eggshells, forming calcium citrate—a form that is more easily absorbed by the body than calcium carbonate.

   
   


5. 
   

   Cool slightly.

   
   

You can then:

• 
  

  Drink the lemony calcium-rich solution (avoid if you’re sensitive to acidity)

  
  


• 
  

  Peel and eat the steamed eggs as a nutritious addition to your meal.

  
  

Egg Membrane for Respiratory Health

The thin, transparent membrane lining the inside of an eggshell helps protect against microbial invasion. In TCM, this egg membrane is believed to nourish the lungs and support respiratory health. It’s used in some remedies to help relieve asthma, chronic bronchitis, and persistent coughs.

Here’s how to prepare it as a home remedy:

Ingredients:

• 
  

  Eggshells from 2–4 eggs (ideally organic or pasture-raised)

  
  


• 
  

  Water

  
  


• 
  

  Optional: A few drops of fresh lemon juice or a slice of ginger for flavor

  
  

Instructions:

1. 
   

   Crack eggs carefully and use contents for cooking as usual

   
   


2. 
   

   Gently peel thin inner membrane from inside of each shell. This may be easier if you let the empty eggshells dry for a few hours first.

   
   


3. 
   

   Rinse membranes under clean, running water to remove any residual egg white or shell dust

   
   


4. 
   

   Place cleaned membranes in a small saucepan with 1–2 cups water

   
   


5. 
   

   Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Let it simmer for 10–15 minutes to extract the beneficial compounds.

   
   


6. 
   

   Strain the liquid into a cup. Add a bit of lemon juice or a slice of ginger to improve the taste, if desired.

   
   


7. 
   

   Drink warm as a soothing tea. This can be taken once daily during periods of respiratory discomfort.

   
   

Note: While TCM uses this as a traditional remedy, always consult a health care provider before treating any medical condition.

Egg White: Protein Powerhouse with Healing Properties

Egg whites are rich in high-quality protein, which supports tissue repair, helps fight oxidative stress, and strengthens the immune system. They also contain natural antibacterial compounds such as lysozyme and avidin, contributing to their protective effects.

External Use: Egg whites can also be applied to the skin. Traditionally, they are used for their anti-inflammatory and pore-tightening properties and may help soothe minor skin irritations or reduce acne-related inflammation.

Egg Yolk: Brain Booster and Traditional Remedy

Egg yolks are the most nutrient-dense part of the egg, packed with lecithin, choline, vitamins A, D, E, and B12, and essential fatty acids. Lecithin and choline, in particular, are vital for brain development, nerve function, and memory formation. These nutrients are especially important for children to support brain growth and cognitive development and for older adults to help maintain brain health and possibly reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

In TCM, egg yolks are included in some herbal prescriptions to:

• 
  

  Calm the spirit and relieve agitation with sedative and soothing properties

  
  


• 
  

  Aid sleep, due to their nourishing and tranquilizing qualities (they are considered to “nourish yin” and “calm the shen,” which can help with insomnia or nervous tension

  
  


• 
  

  Treat epilepsy and spasms. The yolk is believed to help “anchor the yang” and stabilize neurological overactivity.

  
  

Some TCM texts mention that egg yolk has an anti-fetal effect. This may refer to its occasional use in formulas designed to stimulate menstruation or regulate abnormal pregnancy conditions, suggesting a mild emmenagogue effect (an agent that promotes menstrual flow). However, this use is rare, and in most cases, egg yolk is considered safe and nourishing during pregnancy when eaten as part of a normal diet.

How to Nourish the 5 Internal Organs

Organ-Specific Egg Therapy Dishes 

Recommendations: Celery leaf egg soup; Jinsha bamboo shoots (fried wild rice bamboo shoots with salted eggs) 

2. Heart: The energy system around the heart includes the organ heart, circulatory system, emotions, sleep, and tongue.

Recommendations: Braised pork ribs with braised eggs; pork glutinous rice with egg porridge

3. Spleen: Spleen as an energy system includes the digestive system and oral cavity. 

Recommendations: Egg porridge; steamed eggs with clams; omelet with glutinous rice and pepper

4. Lungs: The energy system of the lungs includes the respiratory system, skin, and nose. 

Recommendations: Apple and egg cup; steamed eggs with sugar 

Kidneys: The energy system of the kidneys includes the urinary system, reproductive system, nervous system, bones, hair, and ears. 

Recommendations: Steamed egg in a bowl; stewed eggs with loofah and shrimp 

A Few Nourishing  Recipes

Apple and Egg Cup (Nourishes the Lungs) 

• 1 apple


• 1 egg

1. Choose an apple with a flat bottom to stay upright. Cut a triangular opening at the top with a knife and keep the cut portion for use later.


2. Cut out the core and scoop out part of the pulp with a small spoon to form a cup on the inside.


3. Pour the egg white and yolk into the cup and cover with the original triangular top.


4. Steam for 40 minutes and eat while hot.

Seasonal Vegetables, Potatoes, Chicken, and Eggs (Nourishes the Lungs)

• 1 medium-sized potato


• 4 small tomatoes


• 3.5 ounces chicken leg meat


• 2 slices Chinese cabbage (or any green vegetables)


• 3 eggs


• a few black olives


• 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese powder

1. Cut all the above ingredients into small pieces and set aside.


2. Add 2 tablespoons of oil to a pan, add the ingredients, and stir-fry until cooked.


3. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of oil, add the egg fluid, turn to medium heat, stir evenly until half cooked, and bake slowly over low heat.


4. Sprinkle with half of the Parmesan cheese powder, cover, and simmer until the egg fluid on top is cooked.


5. Transfer from pan to a small plate, then invert it onto a larger plate and sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese.

Fried Eggs With Chives (Nourishes the Kidneys)

• 2 eggs


• 10 ounces of chives


• 3 tablespoons cooking oil


• 1 teaspoon sesame oil


• a little salt

1. Beat eggs and set aside 


2. Wash chives, drain dry, and chop them into pieces


3. Add three tablespoons of cooking oil to the pan. Heat it up, add eggs, and stir-fry over high heat until egg liquid is semi-solidified 


4. Add chopped chives, salt, sesame oil, and stir-fry until the egg fluid is completely solidified 

Shrimp With Smooth Eggs (Nourishes the Kidneys)

• 20 shrimp


• 4 eggs


• 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch


• 1 teaspoon salt


• 1 teaspoon  rice wine


• a little oil


• chopped green onion to taste 

1. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of water in a bowl and set aside


2. Marinate shrimp with rice wine


3. Beat four eggs into the cornstarch water, add salt, mix well, and set aside


4. Pour oil into a hot pan and fry the shrimp until cooked


5. Pour egg mixture and stir evenly. Before the eggs are fully cooked, turn off heat and stir in chopped green onion

Who Should Limit or Avoid Eggs?

People with end-stage liver disease or chronic kidney disease may need to limit their protein intake, including protein-rich foods like eggs. In such cases, the body may struggle to properly process and eliminate the byproducts of protein metabolism, which can worsen their condition. Therefore, eggs should be minimized or eaten under medical supervision as part of a carefully controlled diet.