If you’ve ever had a bad day, a bad vibe, or just the misfortune of receiving someone’s mal de ojo, then chances are your Abuela has performed a “limpia de huevo” on you. The sacred ritual, popular in Mexico, and throughout Latin America, involves waving/rubbing an egg all over your body and cracking it into a glass of water to read your bad spirits.
“It always made me feel better,” J.R. Gonzales, Executive Vice Chair of the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC) tells me.
But with egg prices soaring, some have started to wonder: Can we even afford to cleanse our souls anymore? A social media user who goes by the name “Official Chingo Bling” posted a reel joking: “Due to the high cost of eggs, all limpiezas will now be canceled. If you got ‘ojo‘ you just gotta deal with it.”
And yet, high prices aside, the tradition lives on. But where did it come from? How does it work? And is there actual science behind it?
To answer these questions, and more, we turned to Dr. Gustavo Ferrer, author of “Cough Cures: The Best Natural Remedies and Over-the-Counter Drugs for Acute and Chronic Cough,” an open-minded medical professional based in Miami, Fla. He cracked this case/mystery right open for us. (Pun intended.)
The ‘Limpia de Huevo’ Explained
The limpia de huevo has been practiced for centuries across Latin America.
“The practice of cleansing bad vibes with an egg is a ritual method that has been used for hundreds of years,” El Heraldo writes. And, despite not being supported by science, many people swear by its effectiveness, believing that the egg can actually absorb and retain negative energies that have accumulated in a home or within a person, the Mexican outlet explains.
It’s been passed down through generations of abuelas who swear by its ability to absorb bad energy, ward off el mal de ojo (the evil eye), and diagnose every ailment from stress to “not calling your mother enough.”
And, thanks to social media, the tradition has gone mainstream.
“Limpia de los huevos, also known as the egg cleansing ritual, has been going viral on TikTok amongst new-age and wellness advocates,” Gurus Magazine writes. “But historically, Limpia is rooted in a collective of mystical Mexican practices that contribute to curing what ails us spiritually and clear the path toward better things. Also known as Curanderismo, it’s a practice that blends Mayan, Aztec and Spanish Catholic traditions.”
In essence, limpia is one of many global traditions that harness energy and intention for spiritual healing.
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“It’s like the Reiki of Latinos,” Dr. Ferrer explains, referring to the Japanese healing technique that also focuses on energy movement. “People use rituals like this all over the world. It’s about creating a moment of mindfulness, a spiritual reset.”
Which makes sense. Who wouldn’t feel better after taking a break from their stress to sit quietly while someone soothingly rubs an egg all over them?
Does it Actually Work?
So, does it actually work? Scientifically speaking, there’s no hard evidence that eggs have magical detoxifying powers. But Dr. Ferrer points out something important: the placebo effect is real.
“If someone believes a limpia will make them feel better, and it actually does, who are we to say it doesn’t work?” he asks. “Science has shown that guided meditation, slowing down, and mindful rituals can release chemicals in the brain that improve well-being. The limpia may very well fall into that category.”
If you really think about it, if abuelas have been doing it for so many years, they may be onto something, right?
The power of the Healing Touch
Of course, no limpia is complete without Abuela talking to you while she waves an egg over you. Maybe it’s not just the ritual that’s healing. It’s the fact that someone is paying attention to you, taking care of you, and reminding you that no matter what, there’s always a cure for your troubles.
“We have this need as humans to feel protected,” Dr. Ferrer explains. “And if a limpia helps someone without causing harm, why not embrace it?”
In other words, whether it’s ancient wisdom or energy healing, the limpia de huevo is too special to disregard. “It’s all about healing,” Dr. Ferrer says.
So, next time your Abuela reaches for an egg, let her do her thing. Just maybe don’t tell her how much you paid for that carton.
