Nidus Collocaliae
Aliases：Yàn Wō Cài (literally "Bird's Nest Vegetable"), Yàn Shū Cài (literally "Bird's Nest Vegetable" — variant), Yàn Cài (literally "Bird's Nest Vegetable" — abbreviated), and Yàn Gēn (literally "Bird's Nest Root"). (These are all alternative names for Yàn Wō, i.e., Edible Bird's Nest / Nidus Collocaliae.)
Yàn Wō (Edible Bird's Nest) is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the nest built by the swiftlet Collocalia esculenta Linnaeus, an animal belonging to the family Apodidae, using its saliva mixed with down feathers and other substances. The swiftlet lays eggs in April each year and always builds a new nest before laying eggs, when its throat mucous glands are highly developed; the nest is formed by the solidification of mucus. It was first recorded in Bencao Gangmu Shiyi (A Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica) and is considered a precious tonic in Chinese medicine.
Efficacy & Actions
Nourishes Yin, moistens dryness, supplements Qi, and strengthens the middle; resolves phlegm and relieves cough.
Indications
General debility, consumptive diseases, cough with wheezing and excessive phlegm, hemoptysis, hematemesis, chronic dysentery, chronic malaria, dysphagia and regurgitation, pulmonary deficiency with consumptive cough, cough with wheezing, emaciation with tidal fever, seminal emission due to weakness, and frequent urination.
Modern Pharmacology
Immunomodulatory effects: Bird's nest can promote immune function and enhance the body's resistance. Antioxidant effects: Bird's nest has antioxidant activity, scavenges free radicals, and helps delay aging. At a concentration of 0.1 g/mL, bird's nest sialic acid has a DPPH scavenging rate of 59.5% and an ABTS scavenging rate of 51.4%. Antiviral effects: Bird's nest has inhibitory effects against influenza virus, enhances immune function in healthy animals, and exhibits dose‑dependent antiviral effects. Anti‑inflammatory effects: Bird's nest has anti‑inflammatory activity, and its active component sialic acid has anti‑inflammatory and other biological activities. Neuroprotective effects: Bird's nest has neuroprotective effects, with sialic acid being its main bioactive component. Bird's nest O‑linked oligosaccharides have antioxidant protective effects on nerve cells. Promoting cell regeneration: The hormones and epidermal growth factors contained in bird's nest can promote cell division and regeneration. Promoting offspring intellectual development: Bird's nest has been shown to promote intellectual development in offspring. Regulating gut microbiota: Bird's nest has regulatory effects on gut microbiota. Anticoagulant effects: Bird's nest has anticoagulant effects. Promoting wound healing: The polypeptide hormones in bird's nest can promote the healing of surgical wounds. Regulating glucose and lipid metabolism: Supplementation with bird's nest or sialic acid can reduce serum cholesterol levels in high‑fat diet‑fed experimental animals, benefiting glucose and lipid metabolism.
Ingredients
Proteins and amino acids: Contains 57.40% nitrogenous substances, water‑soluble proteins, lysine, etc. Carbohydrates: Contains 22.00% nitrogen‑free extract and 1.40% fiber. Sialic acid (bird’s nest acid): A hallmark component of bird’s nest and an important component of glycoproteins, oligosaccharides, and glycolipids. It has biological activities such as anti‑inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and neuroprotective effects. Fats: Trace amounts. Minerals and trace elements: Contains 8.70% ash, as well as trace elements including calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, and potassium. Mucin and glycoproteins: Bird's nest contains mucin and glycoproteins. Growth factors: Contains hormones and epidermal growth factors that promote cell division.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: wrap in silk and decoct, or double‑boil, 5–10 g; or make into pastes. Traditional dosage: 1–2 qian (approximately 3–6 g). Daily consumption: approximately 3–5 g per serving.
Contraindications
Use with caution in patients with Lung‑Stomach deficiency‑cold. Use with caution in patients with dampness‑phlegm stagnation. Use with caution in patients with exterior pathogens (not recommended during colds). Contraindicated in individuals allergic to protein. Should not be consumed with tea, as it may destroy the nutrients in bird's nest. Should not be consumed in excess, as it may cause indigestion. Use with caution in children with precocious puberty. Bird's nest should be consumed in moderation, approximately 3–5 g per serving.
Selected Formulas
For senile phlegm-wheezing (Wentang Jiyan Fang) Take one autumn pear, remove the core, put 1 qian of bird's nest (soaked in boiling water first) and 1 qian of rock sugar inside, steam until cooked. Take every morning without interruption. For locked-jaw dysentery (Jiusheng Kuhai) Take 2 qian of white bird's nest and 4 fen of Renshen (Ginseng). Add 7 fen of water, stew over a water bath until cooked, and eat slowly. For chronic vomiting due to gastric reflux (Bencao Gangmu Shiyi) Take human milk and eat plenty of bird's nest. For senile malaria, chronic malaria, infantile deficient malaria, and fetal heat (Neijing Leibian Shixiao Fang) Take 3 qian of bird's nest and 0.5 qian of rock sugar, stew and eat several times. For spontaneous sweating due to debility (Chinese Animal Medicines) Take 20g of Huangqi (Astragalus) and 5g of bird's nest, decoct in water and drink twice daily. For consumptive cough (Buzhi Yi Biyao) Take 2 qian of Shashen (Glehnia root), 3 qian of bird's nest, and 5 qian of Baihe (Lily bulb). Stew together until tender and eat.
Daily Consumption
Bird's Nest with Rock Sugar: Soak the bird's nest in water to remove impurities, bring water to a boil, then add the bird's nest and rock sugar, and simmer. Bird's Nest with Red Dates and Rock Sugar: Soak and reconstitute the bird's nest, then simmer together with rock sugar and red dates. Bird's Nest with Pigeon Eggs: Soak and reconstitute the bird's nest, then simmer over low heat with pigeon eggs, ham, and lean pork. Bird's Nest with Squab and Rock Sugar: Remove the internal organs from the squab, and stew together with the bird's nest and rock sugar. Bird's Nest and Silver Ear Soup: Nourishes Yin and moistens the lungs; suitable for pulmonary tuberculosis and patients with Yin deficiency accompanied by heat. Bird's Nest Congee: Moistens the lungs, strengthens the spleen, nourishes Yin, and moistens dryness.
Medicinal Parts
It is the nest built by the swiftlet Collocalia esculenta Linnaeus (family Apodidae), formed by the solidification of its saliva mixed with down feathers and other substances.
Selection & Storage
Store in a well‑ventilated, dry place, protected from insects.
