Pearl Powder Supplement, Beauty Secret of Ancient Empresses

The pearls are finely ground and micronized into very small particles, sometimes called "hydrolyzed pearl powder".

Some brands, like Lost Empire Herbs, also use a lactic acid fermentation technique, which produces enzymes that free up essential nutrients and many compounds that pearls are known for.

When ingested, this fine white powder is completely absorbed and bioavailable to the body.

These varieties are found in capsule form but are also commonly taken as a powder dissolved into water, tea or a health beverage. They have a neutral taste or a somewhat sour flavor if fermented.

Widely used in Chinese tonic herbalism, the greatest valued property of using pearl powder is it's renowned use as an anti-aging skincare supplement.

Pearl powder was one of the legendary beauty secrets of Chinese ruling Empresses like Empress Wu Zetian and later Empress Dowager Cixi. It was claimed to be the reason for their smooth, supple, youthful-looking skin well into their elder years.

Both empresses lived luxurious lives and were reportedly obsessed with not only wearing pearls but also with using the finely ground powder internally and topically.

Dowager Cixi was known to take a silver spoon of pearl powder every evening as a tonic before bed and was in fact buried with a large pearl in her mouth.

Some of the same things that give pearls their lustrous qualities are the same substances shown to nourish the skin from the inside out.

CONCHIOLIN, a type of protein, is one of these secret compounds that makes pearls shine and likewise promotes radiant complexion. It is a rich source of amino acids, including high amounts of GLYCINE known for its nutritional benefits to collagen production, skin hydration and elasticity. 

Conchiolin is also a source of other co-factors like signaling proteins which may include conchioline, lustrin, mucoperlin, perlucin and nacrein. In some research, hydrolized conchiolin protein was shown to inhibit melanogenesis, potentially helpful for the formation of dark skin spot pigmentation's that occur with aging. 

Today, pearl powder is commonly used topically and found in many natural skincare products and cosmetics. Likewise, it is a popular ingredient recommended for DIY cosmetic face masks.

As we age, bone density tends to decrease. So, it becomes ever-so-important to enrich the diet with bone-strengthening foods, herbs and supplements.

Pearl is largely made up of a complex of minerals, especially CALCIUM. When processed as a micronized or hydrolized powder, these minerals and calcium content become highly assimilable. 

You can also put pearl powder on the list for other bone and joint supporting minerals like magnesium, strontium, selenium and silicon. Together, these minerals help to support collagen levels and bone mineralization.

Another bone-strengthening compound in pearls is ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE, a group of enzymes found on the outer layer of cell membranes that helps to break down nutrients for bone uptake.

The powder is often used in homemade toothpaste or can be used straight on your toothbrush for oral health care.

One last compound worth mentioning are pearls MUCOPOLYSACCARIDES (also called Glycosaminoglycans). These are long-chain sugars present in pear powder, which can also help to build connective tissues and lubricate the joints.

Besides being an excellent source of bioavailable calcium helpful in repairing skin tissue, the conchiolin element in pearls is likewise found to exhibit an outstanding wound healing influence. 

Other evidence on pearl powder obtained from the Hyriopsis cumingii mussel, likewise, suggests its wound healing potential due to fibroblast regeneration and collagen synthesis. 

Pearl powder might be a good option to include both topically and/or as a dietary supplement in any skin therapy protocol.

Pearls, and their internal use, have been used therapeutically as a Shen Tonic in traditional Chinese medicine for many centuries. They are therefore an often utilized ingredient in many herbal formulations that support Shen.

Substances, often herbs, that are classified as Shen tonics are known to relax and soothe the spirit, calm the heart and buffer the nervous system against stress and anxiety. These are qualities that often go side by side with reduced skin aging.

Likewise, shen tonics like pearl can help to encourage restful sleep and promote emotional balance. 

In TCM, pearl is said to having cooling qualities and works to remove excess heat from the liver and supports clear healthy eyes.

Pearl powder is traditionally taken in powdered form. Again, micronized or hydrolized is the best as far as quality.

These types easily dissolve in water or any liquid. Generally, the average dose amount is between 1/8 to 1/4 a teaspoon three times a day.

These means that a 50-gram bag of pearl powder, for example, will last about 25-50 days.