An eggshell is the hard, outer covering of an egg. It consists mostly of calcium carbonate, a common form of calcium. The rest is made up of protein and other minerals.

Calcium is an essential mineral that is abundant in many foods, including dairy products. Lower amounts are also found in many leafy and root vegetables.

Half an eggshell may provide enough calcium to meet the daily requirements for adults, which is 1,000 mg per day.

Calcium carbonate is the most common form of calcium in nature, making up seashells, coral reefs and limestone. It is also the cheapest and most widely available form of calcium in supplements.

In addition to calcium and protein, eggshells also contain small amounts of other minerals, including strontium, fluoride, magnesium and selenium. Just like calcium, these minerals may play a role in bone health

HEALTH BENEFITS

It Reduces the Risk of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a health condition characterized by weak bones and an increased risk of bone fractures. Old age is one of the strongest risk factors for osteoporosis, but inadequate calcium intake may also contribute to bone loss and osteoporosis over time.

If your diet is lacking calcium, taking supplements may help you reach your daily requirements. Eggshell powder is a cheap option. Eggshell powder may even be more effective at reducing osteoporosis risk than purified calcium carbonate.

 

Eggshell Membrane Supplements Benefit Joint Health

The eggshell membrane is located between the eggshell and the egg white. It is easily visible when you peel a boiled egg.

While technically not part of the eggshell, it is usually attached to it. When making eggshell powder at home, there is no need for you to remove the membrane.

Eggshell membrane mainly consists of protein in the form of collagen. It also contains small amounts of chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine and other nutrients which improve bone health.

 

Use the shell’s membrane as an all-natural bandage

The membrane of the shell can be used as a first aid tool because it is reported to help promote healing in cuts and scratches.

 

Feed Them To Your Chicken

Boost your flock’s calcium intake by crushing the shells and feeding them back to your hens.

Use Them To Start Your Seedlings
Give some of your smaller seedlings a start in rinsed-out shells. Eggshells that are mostly whole can be used as healthy starter pots for seedlings

Blender Blades Sharpening 
Keep them in the freezer and use to clean and sharpen blender blades by adding water and blending.

 

Helps Treat Diarrhoea In Dogs
Dry Eggshells out and  crush into powder. If a dog gets diarrhoea, sprinkle a few teaspoons of the eggshell powder on their food for a day and the diarrhoea goes away.

Use For Arts, Crafts, Ornaments
Use eggshells to make mosaics or mixed-media art projects.
Laundry Whitener
To help your whites not to turn grey, put a handful of clean, broken eggshells and 2 slices of lemon in a little cheesecloth bag with your clothes in the washer. It will prevent the soap deposit that turns the white clothes grey.

Clean Narrow-necked Vases Effortlessly

Cleaning all the residue from inside irregularly shaped vases can be a pain. To easily scrub away even hard-to-reach grime, drop one or two crushed eggshells into the container, add warm water and a drop of dish-washing liquid, and give it a couple swirls. The soap will loosen the gunk so the abrasive shells can scrape it away, leaving every last nook gleaming. This trick works well on thermoses, too.

 

 

Grow Healthier Tomato Plants

To give your tomatoes a head start this season, add one or two crushed eggshells to the soil before planting. As the eggshells decompose, they will release calcium into the dirt. This helps prevent blossom-end rot, a common problem with tomato plants. Calcium also helps almost any plant grow faster, so try sprinkling eggshells all around your garden.

Eggshells Can Help You Achieve A Pest-Free Garden

To deter pests, scatter crushed eggshells on the leaves of the nibbled-on plants and around the perimeter of your garden. Snails and slugs can’t safely go over the jagged corners of the crushed shells.

 

Relieve Dry, Peeling Cuticles

Is the skin around your fingernails dry and peeling? The remedy: Break off a couple pieces of eggshell with the membrane attached. Then tape the shells, membrane side down, to problem areas until the shells begin to feel dry. Eggshell membranes contain healing nutrients like hyaluronan, so your rough, peeling cuticles will be healthy and soft by the next day.

 

Exfoliate Dead Skin Cells

Freshen up your skin with this inexpensive mask: Finely crush one or two eggshells, whisk together with one egg white, and apply all over your face. Let dry, then rinse with warm water. The gently abrasive shells will buff away the dry, dead skin that’s hiding your natural glow. Plus, the eggshells’ calcium will promote cell regeneration and help even out your complexion. The result: soft, radiant skin after a single use!

 

 Gently Scour Any Surface

Finding household cleaners that don’t irritate your sensitive skin and sinuses can be a struggle. If your store-bought scouring powder inflames your eyes, skin, or lungs, try using eggshells as a chemical-free alternative. Just pulverize several dried eggshells and store them in a covered plastic container. When needed, dust the to-be-cleaned surface with the powder and use a sudsy sponge or dishtowel to scrub away the mess. The abrasive particles will safely buff away stains and grease but won’t irritate sensitive skin.

 

Keep Drains Running Smoothly

If your kitchen sink is draining sluggishly, the culprit may be built-up grease or food in the pipes. Simply place a few well-crushed eggshells in the sink trap. When you run the water, the abrasive shell fragments will travel down the drain and help scrape away clog-inducing gunk, keeping the pipes clear and water flowing smoothly.

 

Brew A Better Cup Of Coffee

Add 1 teaspoon of crushed eggshells to the grounds before brewing. The shells’ alkaline calcium carbonate will neutralize the acid content of the coffee, making it smoother tasting and easier on the stomach.

 RISKS OF EATING EGG SHELL
When prepared correctly, eggshell powder is considered safe. There are just a few things you need to keep in mind.

1. Do not attempt to swallow large fragments of eggshell as they might injure your throat and esophagus.

2. Eggshells may be contaminated with bacteria, such as Salmonella enteritidis. To avoid the risk of food poisoning, make sure to boil eggs before eating their shell.

3. Natural calcium supplements may contain relatively high amounts of toxic metals, including lead, aluminum, cadmium and mercury.

However, the amounts of these toxic elements in eggshells tend to be lower than in other natural calcium sources, such as oyster shells, and is generally not a concern.