Egg Yolk Oil

Egg yolk oil has a long history of traditional use. The Ming-dynasty herbal text Compendium of Materia Medica describes obtaining oil from heated egg yolk and using it for skin conditions. In traditional Chinese medicine, egg yolk oil has been regarded as soothing, anti-inflammatory, and helpful for skin healing and pain.

It has traditionally been used for mouth ulcers, burns, eczema, nipple injuries, haemorrhoids, anal fissures, pressure sores, nappy rash, corns, and middle-ear inflammation.

One patient repeatedly developed a rash on her hands and had received a Western diagnosis of psoriasis. I decided to try egg yolk oil. The result was unexpectedly helpful. After using it for two months, the condition had not completely resolved, but it was more effective than the other external medicines she had used that year.

How is egg yolk oil made? The original video below shows the process.

I use about ten cooked egg yolks, not raw yolks, and a small frying pan.

Begin with the lowest heat and stir continuously, as shown in the video. After about one hour, with patience, the yolks become charred. Increase the heat and a considerable amount of oil will begin to emerge. Pour it off and filter it through a fine sieve.

The main difficulty is the large amount of smoke and the unpleasant smell. I later made it outside on the balcony using a small candle.

Finished egg yolk oil can be stored for many years.