The combination of chicken eggs and mugwort has long been recognized as a highly nutritious and health-promoting dish. However, it is not suitable for everyone. Here’s a detailed look at the benefits of this combination and who should avoid it.

Benefits of Chicken Eggs with Mugwort

This combination not only nourishes the body but also has therapeutic effects:

• Boosts overall health: Supports the treatment of common colds, digestive disorders, menstrual irregularities, and joint problems.

• Antibacterial properties: Mugwort essential oil can act as a natural disinfectant.

• Egg benefits: The egg white is salty-cool in nature and strengthens the five organs, supports blood and energy, soothes the throat, aids pregnancy, and helps prevent coughs and dysentery. Egg yolk is sweet-warm, nourishing Yin, calming the heart, supporting the spleen and stomach, and improving sleep.

Eating 1–2 eggs stir-fried with fresh mugwort while hot is considered ideal. However, excessive consumption may have adverse effects, so it is best not to eat this dish every day.

Who Should Avoid Chicken Eggs with Mugwort

Despite its health benefits, some people should avoid this dish:

1. People with hepatitis: Mugwort contains certain compounds that, while medicinal, can be toxic in large amounts. Consuming eggs with mugwort may disrupt liver cell metabolism, leading to acute hepatitis, jaundice, cloudy urine, and enlarged liver.

2. Pregnant women: Consuming excessive mugwort in the first trimester can increase the risk of bleeding and uterine contractions, which may lead to miscarriage or preterm labor.

3. People with acute intestinal disorders: Mugwort has mild laxative effects and increases urination. Those with intestinal problems should avoid it. Additionally, people with kidney stones or atherosclerosis are advised to avoid this dish.

4. Elderly or weak individuals, postpartum women, or those recovering from illness: For these groups, it is safer to eat one egg every few days combined with other nutritious foods such as fish, meat, and fruit, rather than consuming eggs with mugwort daily. A 7–10 day interval between servings is recommended.

Foods That Should Not Be Combined with Eggs

1. Eggs and smoked meat: Both are high in protein and fat, which may overload the body, causing fatigue and digestive discomfort.

2. Eggs and sugar: Cooking eggs with sugar produces fructosyl lysine, a compound that is hard for the body to absorb and may create harmful byproducts, including potential blood clots.

3. Eggs and soy milk: Soy milk contains trypsin, an enzyme that inhibits protein digestion, reducing the nutritional value of both foods. However, careful preparation (e.g., using only egg yolks with boiled soy milk) can make this combination safer.

4. Eggs and tea: Drinking tea immediately after eating eggs can interfere with digestion. Tannic acid in tea binds to egg proteins, slowing down nutrient absorption and potentially causing constipation or toxin buildup.

5. Eggs and persimmons: Eating eggs immediately after persimmons can lead to acute food poisoning or gastritis, causing nausea and vomiting within 1–2 hours. Immediate measures include drinking a saline solution or warm ginger water to induce vomiting, followed by a mild laxative to eliminate toxins.

Conclusion

While eggs with mugwort are a highly nutritious and therapeutic dish, moderation is key, and certain people—such as those with liver issues, pregnant women, or those with digestive problems—should avoid it. Always follow proper dietary guidelines to enjoy the benefits safely.