Monday, July 13, 2009

6 Tips Using Egg Shell Membrane

For something that is normally thrown out as rubbish, the membrane lining in an egg shell has some surprising uses. That's right crack that egg and use it as normal. Then, instead of throwing the shell away, peel that thin white skin or membrane out and use it as an aid to healing.
  1. Peeling skin next to your fingernails, often called a quick, can get very sore especially if the skin is pulled at or torn off. This tip to solve the problem is magic. Tear off small pieces of the egg membrane and put them wet side down on the problem areas. Leave it there until it dries. Even if you wash it off before it falls off it will have done its job. Check the next day and if there are any areas that are not quite right apply more egg skin. Quite often one application is all that is needed.

  2. Use egg skin membrane on any cut or scratch. It will promote healing. Put the wet side of the membrane on the cut and leave it there until it dries. An alternative method is to spread a little egg white over the top of the membrane after it is in place over the cut and if necessary bandage over that. Using egg skin will bring quick healing without any scarring.

  3. Use the eggshell membrane to draw out blackheads or to clear up pimples.

  4. Use egg membrane on splinters or glass fragments that are difficult to pick out with tweezers. This is a bit similar to using it for blackheads. As it dries it will tend to draw the splinter out a little enabling you to pull it out.

  5. Useful for ingrown toenails.

  6. Try using the wet egg membrane on boils. Keep reapplying until the boil is dislodged.
The membrane lining of the egg shell contains anti microbial substances. This would be part of the reason for its success in these healing situations. Apparently there have been some dressing developed using this membrane for use in skin grafts and burn situations. The healing time when using egg skin membrane is always reduced and scarring is greatly minimized.

If you know of other uses for egg shell lining please share them by leaving a comment.

Be healthy,

Jocelyn

62 comments:

  1. thanks for the interesting info- i'm gonna try! also, you mean scarring, not scaring! I'm not afraid to try!

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  2. Great new tips, except how do you use them on ingrown nails? Same as for blackheads?

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  3. Try wrapping the egg membrane wet side down on the problem nails and leave overnight. Use a bandage if needed to keep it in place. See Ingrown toenail article at http://members.tripod.com/barefoot_lass/index-4.html

    For other hints on ingrown nails see the following 2 websites
    http://www.effective-home-remedies.com/ingrownnails.html

    http://www.ehow.com/how_5022323_cure-ingrown-nails.html
    Jocelyn

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  4. how do you Use the egg membrane to draw out blackheads or to clear up pimples.
    kindly forward the reply to my inbox.
    sweet5pearl@yahoo.co.uk

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  5. would like more friendly ideas for the whole family thanks

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  6. my grandson had cut his eyelid on a counter top and a neighbor told my daughter--in-law about the membrane and it worked. The doctors and nurses at ER was googling about what she had done with the membrance and was astonished that something like that would work. No stitches. Thank God

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  7. Thanks for the comment crazzycouple. Will work on it.

    Also, thanks for commenting Anonymous. I am glad the cut on your grandson healed up so well. It is amazing how such a simple thing can work so well.

    Jocelyn

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  8. Very interesting to hear there are so many uses for something so simple as eggshells. Can't wait to try some of these remedies!

    Thanks,
    lYNDA

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  9. Jocelyn, I have been crushing eggshells into my oatmeal for some time now, and I have always wondered if the membrane also has any nutritional properties.

    From you article, I am guessing that it does, but would you be so kind as to let me know if it does, and what it might be?

    Thanks,
    David.

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  10. David, I did a bit of looking around on this and found more info than would fit in a short comment so I just wrote a post on it. It is here http://tipsandhintsforyou.blogspot.com/2009/10/nutrients-in-eggshell-membrane.html
    Hope it answers your question.
    By the way have you noticed any benefits from using the crushed eggshells?
    Jocelyn

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  11. I can't say I have really noticed any benefits, because I have always (for the last 5 years anyway) had a very health diet and an active lifestyle. That there is a benefit, I have no doubt, but I couldn't put my finger on it and say "That's it!".

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  12. I too can't wait to try out some of these Home remedies. The facial mssk sounds like it will be very beneficial for some of us who want to slow down the effects of getting older. If the egg membrane can draw up the black heads and splinters should help draw up the "lines" that have started to appear on my face.Will let you all know if this is the case once I've given the mask a try. Have a 3 year old grandson who is very active I will be sharing this info with my daughter. Thanks for all the good info.

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  13. I've recently found out that the skin can be used as a paper alternative.

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  14. Does anybody have a good way of removing the Egg Shell Membrane? I'm only able to tear small pieces off. I want the whole membrane or most of it!

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    1. After you have cracked the Egg, break off a little corner of the broken shell and get a piece of the membrane, then with your fingers firmly grasping both sides of the membrane, where you broke it off gently pull the membrane Downwards toward the bottom of the Eggshell! Make sure your fingernails don't tear the membrane and I have been able to pull the whole membrane off without too much trouble!

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    2. Let the eggshell sit on your counter to dry. the membrane will be easy to slice around and using knife edge and finger remove from the shell.

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  15. can i ask what is the anti-microbial substance that aids in the healing process??

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  16. In relation to removing the egg shell membrane I paid particular attention to how I did it to see if there was some technique that I unconsciously used. I know that I am better at it now than I used to be and can mostly get most of it out in big pieces but not always. The easiest place to start trying to lift it out can be where the egg shell has some little broken up pieces from where your thumb broke it open. Once you have hold of the membrane pull it slowly. I think that the angle that you pull it makes a difference to how it comes out so experiment with that. Once it has broken off it is hard to get it going again on that shell. Hope this helps a little and sorry if it is not clear enough. I think practice is the key but only if you try varying your technique to find what works. Good luck
    Jocelyn

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  17. In relation to the question of "what is the anti-microbial substance that aids in the healing process?". That is a big question and I am sure that the answer could be quite large if one researched it in great depth. There would most probably be other antimicrobial factors or functions than these examples but they will give a brief idea.

    http://tinyurl.com/ybgkpbj
    This study examined two particular proteins, ovocleidin-17 and ansocalcin, that showed antimicrobial properties.

    http://tinyurl.com/yeay7zk
    This study suggests that yet another protein OCX-32 is associated with antimicrobial function. It also speaks of an antimicrobial protease inhibitor in both the outer eggshell and cuticle of the table egg and suggests that its presence may enhance the food safety of eggs.

    Also search membrane on this blog for other articles that talk about healing with egg membrane though they do not specify the actual substance in the egg responsible.
    Hope this helps
    Jocelyn

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  18. I am not too surprised at these uses. I have a friend whose husband is a Boy Scout Leader. When one of the kids got bitten by a spider and was having reaction - redness, swelling, puss etc. He used the egg membrane in much the same manner - it draws the poison out and helps the bite heal sooner.

    While this was years ago, last year my mother had been bitten by a spider and she has always had bad reactions to spider bites - he arm was swollen and red and it kept getting worse. She tried this remedy for two days and it started the reversing action to the bite. It then finished healing on its own.

    Hope this helps others as it has helped us.

    Margie

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  19. if the membrane is hard to get out try rubbing it

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  20. I am RRR(reduse,reuse,recycle) kind of girl;I do not throw away anything unless I have too. I now have a lot of ways of using egg shells. I only eat egg-whites do you have a solution on what to do with the egg yolks;I usually throw them down the garbage disposal???
    Maria

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    1. In regards to eating egg whites and throwing away the yokes. I think you have it backwards. See Dr. Mercola on Youtube or at Mercola.com
      Interview with Stephanie Seneff (Sulfur expert,Statin researcher, very interesting. Cholesterol is your friend if you care about things like your brain, cell membrane integrity and cell signaling. Cholesterol which I suspect your reason for not eating yokes is a critical component for nerves,cell walls and sex hormones. Thats why the body makes a lot of it, but it takes a lot of energy and about 25 steps to make.

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    2. The yolk is where all the nutrition is. The white is pure protein. Do you eat mayonnaise? You can make it with yolks. Also consider feeding them to your pets if you don't want them.

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  21. What!? Don't throw those out! They contain the most nutrients of possibly ANY food in the world!!!

    Goodness who taught you to do that!?

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  22. Maria, I found a site that has 191 egg yolk recipes. Some of them use whole eggs and extra egg yolks and some just use egg yolks. I haven't looked at all the recipes by any means but perhaps some of them might strike a chord with you. http://www.cooksunited.co.uk/rs/s0/egg+yolk/recipes.html
    You could use egg yolk in a face mask recipe. Maybe combine it with honey and a fruit or vegetable such as banana or pumpkin. They are all good for the skin.
    Jocelyn

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  23. Maria, please forgive the tone of my initial response. I just find it unfortunate that so few people are aware of the level of empowerment the Lord has given us over our own health.

    A staple in my diet is 6 poached eggs every morning with soft yolks (and a bowl of oatmeal). I can tell you from years of eating this way that it contributes to excellent health. Do some reading on egg yolk nutrition and you will soon find that eating soft egg yolks daily could be one of the best things you could do for your health. And please do ignore the nonsensical scare tactics such as "eggs are bad for your heart, etc." - those are lies, plain and simple. Take it from a guy who rides a bicycle 10 miles each day and works out regularly to boot (and has been living this way for years).

    I hope you'll consider trying it out (the taste of runny yolks really grows on you and your body will begin to crave it).

    Please check out my blog too. ;)

    Jocelyn, thanks for the great link. I now have more uses for eggs than I can shake a stick at!

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  24. http://willingcatholicmartyr.blogspot.com/2009/04/what-must-you-do-to-get-to-heaven.html

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  25. Thank you for input(kind of harsh at first but that is what I get for throwing food away). I will try the recipes soon, Maria

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  26. I burned myself on a curling iron, and someone told me to try egg membrane to ease the pain and help to heal it quickly. I thought it sounded crazy, but ANYTHING to heal the pain without spending money on medication was the goal. Within seconds of applying the membrane to my burns and blisters, the pain and swelling subsided.

    I stumbled upon this blog after googling "Egg Membrane for Burns" and was so excited to see what else I can use egg membrane for! Thanks so much for sharing all your marvelous remedies with all of us, Jocelyn! :)

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  27. we've been using egg membrane for years at my martial arts school. Make sure the area around the cut is as dry as possible otherwise the membrane doesn't stick as well. More often than not there is no scar....we leave the egg membrane on until it falls off naturally.

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  28. Jocelyn, thank you so much for this website. My dad told us this story. In the 1920's he had plate glass from a broken window fall on his arm. It was a deep cut, cutting tendons. He was having a hard time getting it to heal up and it looked like he was going to lose his arm. He found a doctor who told him to eat raw eggs. His arm began to heal and his arm was saved. He always made eggnogg with milk, sugar and raw eggs. I always wondered about his story. Now I understand it better.

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  29. Eggshell membrane ha salso been discovered as an effective treatment for arthritis and fibromylagia. http://www.qualityhealth.com/arthritis-articles/natural-eggshell-membrane-arthritis-pain-reduction

    I saw it on the news recently and have been looking for the supplements for my brother. Who knew!!

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  30. Egg shell membrane is made from collagen!!! And the crushed egg shells are great for your plants.

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  31. this is a great help for me for my science investigatory project...thanks a lot...

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  32. I use the eggshell membrane as an exfoliant for my face. However I find that if they dry up too much it becomes hard to peel it off (since the membrane becomes brittle when dry) and sticks to my face to the point where I have to rub it off. Does anyone have any suggestions for this problem (I have very sensitive skin so my face doesn't turns very red when rubbed)? Should I just peel it off before it fully dries? Or should I be waiting longer until it falls off itself-- I am skeptical of this because it feels really stuck on as if it won't just fall off if I wait longer.

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  33. Looking at another website(mercola.com) offered a new joint support supplement containing egg shell membrane. Wonder if fresh membrane would be better or use less, etc.

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  34. Top tip from ballet dancers.
    Apparently it is a fantastic treatment for blisters, especially when they have burst and the skin has rubbed off. (ouch)

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  35. Eggshell membranes contain not oly collagen, but Elastin, Desmosine and isodesmosine, Glycoaminoglycans (GAGS), and Transforming growth factor. Google each of these to learn the benefits. For a small price increase, I would suggest using organic eggs for the highest quality

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  36. I am 65 and when I was a child my grandmother used egg shell membranes to put on boils. Why I was prone to them is beyond me. In the past 12 months I had insect bites that really looked ugly. WhowLa! Egg shell lining drew out all the oil like seepage. Along with anti-biotics, the sore headed up quite nicely. I exposed the wound to the air to hasten the drying process, then put a loose gause over to keep the pants from rubbing my calf. I SAY IT WORKS!

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  37. Christina I would suggest just washing it off with water when you are ready to remove it. My Dad uses the egg membrane on any sores he gets on his legs that have poor circulation and when he showers the membrane that had dried on just washes off and he puts a fresh one on. Just wash it off your face when you feel you want it gone. It should just rehydrate and come off easily.

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  38. I learned today that in Japan, women use the membrane on their faces for about 15 minutes per day and it prevents wrinkles. I've seen the result of this on a 72 year old friend and will try it myself.

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  39. Great info Jocelyn! Does anyone know the best way to cook eggs to preserve the membrane for consumption?

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  40. Can egg membrane be stored, frozen, etc. or do they have to be used immediately?

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  41. Someone just told me that eating the membrane helps with joints and arthritis and that it is good for skin has collegen?? Have you heard this?

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  42. The membrane contains nutrients that help in joint, arthritis and skin care. There is a product called NEM that is made from membranes and is sold for this. See my post called Nutrients in Eggshell Membrane (use my search function).

    Regarding cooking eggs to preserve the membrane for eating - try boiling the eggs. Quite often when peeling the shell off the membrane will stay with the egg.

    The following web page has instructions on how to dissolve eggshell in lemon juice for use as a calcium supplement. http://nourishedmagazine.com.au/blog/articles/how-to-make-calcium-using-egg-shells
    This is a way of preserving them for consumption.

    As far as I can see if you want to use the wet membrane to heal an injury it would need to be fresh. I have put shells in a sealed container in the fridge and used them during the day but I never keep them for longer than 24 hours.
    Jocelyn

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  43. HI, just found this. I save all eggs from any cooking, and put in mug and pour boiling water over them to cook any egg residue. When water has cooled, I then gentle peel out the membrane, and lay out on a screen to dry overnight. These will keep indefinately like this. They can be 're-animated' by soaking in water. I also put them in a capsule for artritis. I have been taking it regularly for 8 months, and I know it has made a difference. I had reduced mobility, but this summer I had much more mobility and less need for pain medication.

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  44. Does it really work on blackheads???

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  45. I had blood poison when I was in the second grade for about three years after I got boils. I remember the painful process of trying to pinch the cores out when they came to a head. My neighbor an old woman, told my mother to put fresh egg shell membrane on the boils, moist side down, and put gauss over the top and it would draw the core out with the pain of squeezing. It worked fantastic. I remember several time open up the gauss and there was the core totally drawn from the boil. I know it works like a miracle. I am sixty three now and have used egg membranes all my life and on me and on my child for any infection not just boils. It was a never fail cure for rapid healing. Jack Northrup

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  46. Hi, good post. I have been thinking about this issue, so thanks for sharing. I will definitely be coming back to your blog.

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  47. when I was a child about fifty years ago, I had a boil near my elbow. my father placed a membrane on it, and it was gone in the morning.

    barbara bolton Cando, North Dakota

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  48. Passed down from my mom years ago... for use on boils ... and yes Im a success story... glad to see ppl finally learning about this ... great site

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  49. Place the eggshell membrane on a cold sore. If you're already in the painful stages of it, it dries up quickly. If you catch it early, you prevent the painful stage!

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  50. When you say apply 'wet side' to area of concern, do you mean the side toward the yoke, or the side toward the shell...since both of these have moisture? Also, do membranes from boiled eggs have any healing attributes?

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  51. My mother always used egg membrane on her face also castor oil my mom always looked atleast 10 yrs younger than her age always getting compliments she is 87 yrs old today n her face is smooth n hardly any wrinkles also organic honey n calendula toner to face is another one she did mom always said mother earth has everything you need ;)

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  52. Ive been using egg shell membrane for even fairly major cuts (even ones when cutting meat, that are very prone to infection)--for about 40 years. I was taught this by an old cowboy, and have never found another person who heard of it until I thought to google it.
    I just spread it on the cut (need to try to slow the bleeding (you usually can)then I dry it with a hair dryer if available---if you are out in the bush,its easy to dry it over a fire----its ann amazing healer--I even used it om my kids, and bbelieve me that wouldn't happen if my wife wasn't sure about it

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  53. There is a supplement that consists of just egg shell membrane to support healthy joint and connective tissues.

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  54. I have known about this membrane for more than 20 years. We used it for wounds that normally would need stitches. If you have a cut deep enough to normally require the emergency room for stitches, just put the membrane in the wound and wrap it tight. It is a living hormone and will cause the skin to graff together stopping the bleeding and healing in about 20 minutes to an hour. I have used this for a finger that was almost cut completely off. I put the membrane in the hole and put the finger back on and wrapped it and it healed with no scaring or nerve damage. As God is my witness. I have 6 boys all grown now and never did we pay hundreds to sit in an emergency room for hours and get stitches. We used the egg membrane all the time. Pretty cool!

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  55. I am allergic to spiders and one bit me in my sleep. I put the egg shell membrane on my hand and covered it with bandage, though it took a couple of days, it did help.

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