I recently stumbled upon a clinical study on the highly unexpected anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects of quail eggs, indicating that these tiny eggs (a classic TCM medicinal food!) may be the secret to reducing allergies without the use of steroids. Not only have quail eggs been proven in past studies to reduce asthmatic and rhinitis allergies, this newer study shows that quail eggs can reduce food allergies as well.
Quail eggs are very different from the eggs of other birds and contain singularly unique proteins. In a UC Davis study from 1968, three scientists from the Department of Food Science and Technology studied the eggs of 12 bird species and found that only quail eggs could act as a potent serine protease inhibitor (potentially reducing allergies). Quail eggs also have a more buttery taste than chicken eggs and a nutritional profile that’s 3-4x higher: they have 5x the iron and potassium, 3x the vitamin B1, and twice as much vitamin A and B2. They also contain a slew of other beneficial micro-nutrients, minerals, and amino acids.
In a 2018 clinical study, quail eggs were shown to have a significant effect on modulating immunoglobulin levels, and resulted in decreased inflammatory genes that were abnormally expressed in EoE (a chronic allergy-related disorder), as well as decreased tissue inflammation. Currently, the treatment for many chronic allergy-related disorders relies on inhaled corticosteroids, but with concerns over the negative side effects associated with long-term use of steroids, especially in children, quail eggs hold promising potential as a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy treatment.
In TCM, quail eggs are considered neutral—that is, one with balanced yin & yang, and have been used to help with a variety of ailments including allergies, asthma, and eczema, and to strengthen the immune system. Quail eggs are also gaining recognition outside of a TCM context—children’s food expert Lucinda Miller, whose fans include the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge, recommends quail eggs to reduce children’s allergies.
Have you ever tried quail eggs? If not, will you be adding quail eggs to your diet?
