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Imperial Bird Poop Face Wash Powder – The Secret to Empress Dowager Cixi’s Beauty

12 September, 2024

In the book Portrait of Empress Cixi, American painter Katharine Augusta Carl, who painted her portrait from 1903 to 1904, described the Qing Dynasty empress in her late 60s as looking “not a day over 40” with an “air of nobility that immediately endeared her to those who met her.”

The secret to Empress Cixi’s youthful appearance was ginseng, pearls, and, most notably, Ngọc Dung powder, a cosmetic that she used throughout her life, according to Uyển Hồng Kỳ, former director of the Palace Museum.

One of the four portraits of Empress Cixi painted by American artist Katharine Augusta Carl. Image: Smithsonian Institution

Ngọc Dung powder was created exclusively for Empress Cixi in 1881 by Qing imperial physicians, based on the formula for Bát Bạch powder, which was used by women of the Jin Dynasty court. It consisted of eight herbal ingredients: Bai Ding Xiang (male sparrow droppings), Bai Zhi (angelica root), Bai Jiang Can (notoptergium root), Bai Fu Zi (typhonium rhizome), Bai Shao i> (peony root), Bai Zhu (atractylodes rhizome), Bai Lian (cattail pollen), and Bai Bu (veratrum root).

Bai Ding Xiang, or male sparrow droppings, has a bitter taste and a warming, slightly toxic property. It is used to remove wrinkles, brighten the eyes, detoxify, and reduce swelling. The Yuan Dynasty textbook Ri Yong Ben Cao describes Bai Ding Xiang as helping to “remove freckles and pimples.”

Many traditional Chinese cosmetic formulas include bird droppings as an ingredient. Ngọc Dung powder used only six of the eight ingredients in Bát Bạch powder and added eight additional herbs: white lotus stamens, eagle droppings, pigeon droppings, Fang Feng root, Song Cai, Di Huang root, Bai Lian, and Bai Tan. These ingredients were ground into a fine powder, mixed with water to form a paste, and used to massage the face. It was then rinsed off with water, and this process was repeated 2-3 times daily.

This method helped lighten the skin tone and prevented wrinkles and dark spots. Dr. Huang Yingjing, deputy director of the Dermatology Department at the Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, shared that traditional Chinese medicines made from bird droppings have long been used to treat gynecological diseases, tumors, and skin conditions.

Bird droppings have blood-stimulating properties and can eliminate blood stasis, clear heat, reduce swelling, and promote blood circulation. Additionally, they are effective in treating certain skin diseases caused by blood stasis and heat production.

“However, it is challenging to find ingredients like Bai Ding Xiang and eagle droppings in pharmacies today, and their quality is difficult to verify. Even clinical trials rarely use them,” Dr. Huang noted.

A modern beauty treatment involving bird droppings is to sanitize them and create face masks. This method has been favored by celebrities such as Victoria and David Beckham.

According to Dr. Huang, from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, it is important to consider that some bird droppings are slightly toxic. “For beauty treatments and skincare, bird droppings are rarely used alone but are often combined with various traditional herbal medicines to remove freckles and whiten the skin,” the doctor explained. “Nowadays, these bird droppings are seldom used in clinical practice due to safety concerns and the risks associated with them.”

Frequently asked questions

It is a traditional Chinese beauty secret, a natural face wash powder made from bird droppings, known for its ability to deep clean and brighten the skin.

The powder is mixed with water to create a paste, which is then applied to the face. The droppings contain natural enzymes and amino acids that exfoliate and nourish the skin, removing dead skin cells and revealing a brighter, smoother complexion.

Yes, the droppings are carefully collected from specific bird species, typically nightingales or swallows, and are treated and processed to ensure they are safe for cosmetic use. This practice has a long history in Chinese culture and is known for its skin-benefiting properties.

The Imperial Bird Poop Face Wash Powder is believed to deep clean the pores, remove impurities, and brighten the skin tone. It can help reduce the appearance of dark spots and blemishes, and improve the overall texture of the skin, leaving it feeling soft and supple.

Empress Dowager Cixi of the Qing Dynasty was known for her beauty and youthful appearance, even in her later years. It is said that she attributed her radiant skin to this bird poop face wash, which she regularly used as part of her beauty routine.

You can purchase this unique face wash powder online through specialty stores that offer traditional Chinese beauty products. Ensure you buy from a reputable source to guarantee authenticity and quality.