What is the difference between snow swallow (Xueyan) and bird's nest (Yanwo)?

Aug 06, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Yu Yongchao

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, snow swallow (Xueyan) and bird's nest (Yanwo) are two different types of health supplements, differing in their sources, appearance, composition, rehydration properties, benefits, and value. If differentiation is required during selection or consumption, one can make a judgment based on their specific characteristics. In daily life, attention should be paid to identifying authenticity when purchasing, to avoid buying counterfeit products.

Generally speaking, snow swallow (Xueyan) and bird's nest are two different types of nourishing products, differing in origin, appearance, composition, rehydration characteristics, benefits, and value. When selecting or consuming these products, one can distinguish between them according to their specific characteristics. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Origin

Snow swallow is a natural gum secreted by plants. It is exuded from the trunk of trees belonging to the genus Sterculia after being cut and forms into a dried product after air-drying. Bird's nest, on the other hand, is a nest built by swiftlets (such as those in the genus Aerodramus) using their saliva mixed with downy feathers. It is mainly produced in coastal areas of Southeast Asia, typically found on steep cliffs or in caves.

2. Appearance

Dried snow swallow appears as semi-transparent pale yellow or amber-colored irregular granules or small chunks, with fine surface lines or纹路. Dried bird's nest is commonly grayish-white, pale yellow, or light reddish in color, shaped like a crescent or boat-like form, with residual fine downy feathers inside, and has a light and lustrous texture.

3. Composition

The main component of snow swallow is plant polysaccharides, along with small amounts of amino acids and minerals. Bird's nest primarily contains water-soluble proteins, as well as sialic acid, amino acids, minerals, and various active substances, with sialic acid being a particularly unique component of bird's nest.

4. Rehydration Characteristics

After soaking, snow swallow can expand dozens of times in volume, becoming translucent, soft, and gel-like without noticeable impurities. Bird's nest expands about 3-5 times in volume after soaking, becoming tender, elastic, and requiring the removal of residual fine feathers and impurities during the soaking process. The soup becomes thick after stewing.

5. Benefits and Value

The plant polysaccharides in snow swallow help promote intestinal motility and are commonly used as nourishing food ingredients. The proteins and sialic acid in bird's nest are traditionally believed to have nourishing effects. Due to its scarce source, bird's nest holds significantly higher market value than snow swallow.

In daily life, attention should be paid to identifying authenticity when purchasing these products to avoid counterfeit goods. Both snow swallow and bird's nest should be purchased through legitimate channels to ensure quality. When consuming, snow swallow requires a longer soaking time and should be soaked and cleaned in advance. Bird's nest needs careful removal of feathers after rehydration. Although both have nourishing effects, they should be consumed in moderation, with a balanced diet being more beneficial for health. Individuals in special conditions should consult professionals before consumption.

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Is it helpful to eat bird's nest for anemia?

In general, whether it is beneficial for anemic patients to consume bird's nest depends on the type and underlying cause of the anemia. It is important to clearly identify the type and cause of anemia before consuming bird's nest, to avoid blind consumption that may delay proper treatment. Bird's nest should not be regarded as a primary treatment for anemia; standard medical treatment should still follow a doctor's advice. Purchase bird's nest from reputable sources to ensure quality and safety.