Egg (chicken)
Eggs are suitable for the lean, dry, anemic and deficient types of people.
The Chinese consider one egg sufficient for six people – as one egg has the potential of becoming a whole chicken.
Because eggs are the product of the female hormone system, eggs may stress the human female reproductive system. Eggs are a product of the ovaries, so first and foremost they will affect the human ovary. Overeating of eggs can cause irritation and over activity of the ovary, resulting in its weakening. In cases of ovarian hyper-activity, such as polycystic ovaries or tumors in the ovaries, Chinese medicine and macrobiotics recommend abstinence from eating eggs. For women with amenorrhea and nutritional deficiencies, or poor egg quality and difficulty in achieving pregnancy, eggs can help to restore menstruation and improve ovulation and egg development and maturation. On the other hand, excess eggs can cause irregular menstrual cycle and PMS.
The allergenic potential of eggs is one of the highest of any food. For those who are not allergic to eggs and digest them properly, eggs are recommended above meats in cases of insufficient protein and other deficiencies.
The standard commercial eggs are better avoided since the hens that lay these eggs live in industrial conditions and are fed various drugs, hormones and antibiotics. They are kept in small cages, under constant light so they lay more eggs. Up until 200 years ago, the average hen would lay 6-12 eggs a year. Today a hen lays an average of 240 eggs a year. The eggs they produce usually contain little or no vitamin B12 and are lacking virtually in every other nutrient.
Free-range eggs are defined as the eggs of laying chickens that are not kept in cages and that have access to an open courtyard. As for the difference between the qualities of the eggs of free-range versus the industrial eggs, there are claims that free-range eggs are more nutritious. But opinions on this matter are diverse. From a humanitarian point of view, there is no doubt that free-range eggs are superior.
The number of salmonella-infected eggs has been on the rise in recent years, a bacteria which causes adverse reactions in humans: diarrhea, cramps, vomiting and fever. In infants, the elderly and those with weakened immunity, death can result. To avoid salmonella, keep eggs refrigerated, discard cracked eggs, and thoroughly cook eggs and recipes containing eggs.
The heavy, heating and oily quality of eggs is due to the egg yolk; egg white are actually quite different in qualities, being light, cool and dry in attribute. this makes egg whites a useful source of protein for Pitta’s, and Kapha’s as well. However, from a digestive point of view, the fat in the yolk is necessary for the egg white metabolism and proper digestion. Therefor a whole egg will digest better.
Properties
Taste: Sweet
Natural Attributes: Heavy, Oily, Sticky, promotes dampness
Tissue impact (Vipak): Sweet, nourishing
Thermal impact (Virya): heating
Dosha impact: Decrease Vata, increases Kapha
Digestive impact (Agni): relatively easy to digest in comparison to other animal products, but difficult to digest on its own.
Channels (Srotas): blocks
Feces: absorbs and retains
Urine:
Strength (Bala): highly increases strength and immunity
Mind (Manas): Tamasic
Effect: Acidifying, tonic, emollient, aphrodisiac
Chinese five element impact: earth, fire
Chinese medicine syndromes: strengthens Qi, tonifies the Yin, blood tonic
Medicinal properties
- Nourishment (rasa): weakness, emaciation
- Blood-circulation-liver: dryness of the eyes
- Muscles: nourishing muscles, hernia, organ prolapse
- Fat: nourishing fat
- Bones-joints-tendon-ligaments: nourishing marrow, hair growth
- Nervous system:
- Reproductive and hormonal systems: increases fertility, securing fetus from miscarriage, relaxing a hyperactive fetus, builds semen, amenorrhea, poor egg quality and difficulty in achieving pregnancy
- Mental: mental confusion
- Kidney-Bladder: deficient kidney yin
- Respiratory system: deficient yin of the lungs
- Digestive system: diarrhea, dryness of the lungs and throat
Harmful: Gallbladder blockages, stagnant, swollen liver, excess mucus, conditions of “wind” in liver (expressed in vertigo, strokes, nervousness, hypertonia and paralysis, mental rigidity), polycystic ovaries or ovarian tumors, irregular menstrual cycle and PMS.
Eggs are less suitable for patients suffering from condition of excess moisture and phlegm – obese people with salivation or mucous discharge, renal or gallbladder stones, or patients suffering from tumors.
Varieties
- Egg drop soup is easiest to digest.
- Sunny-side eggs are medium.
- Hard boiled eggs are difficult to digest.