Beijing, China — If you’re looking for an unusual way to make money, it turns out that saving your fingernail clippings might actually pay off. In parts of China, companies are reportedly buying nail clippings to use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) — and they’re willing to pay a surprising amount for them.
According to a report by Oddity Central, the practice involves collecting, cleaning, and grinding the clippings into powdered ingredients that are used to treat abdominal distension, tonsillitis, and other ailments.
A Strange but Lucrative Trade
Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of using unconventional ingredients derived from natural or human sources. Fingernails are believed to hold certain restorative properties in TCM theory, and when processed, they’re thought to aid digestion and reduce inflammation.
Manufacturers of these treatments reportedly purchase the clippings, then wash and sterilize them before grinding them into fine powder to be incorporated into various medicinal formulas.
“Companies that make these treatments purchase the clippings and wash them thoroughly before grinding them into powder,” Oddity Central reported.
The report also highlighted that the prices paid for fingernail clippings can be relatively high compared to their perceived worth as waste.
People Are Actually Selling Them
One woman interviewed said she had been saving her nail clippings since childhood, and eventually decided to sell them — earning around $21 per kilogram. While that might not sound like much, it’s an eye-catching price for something most people throw away without a second thought.
The odd trade has reportedly sparked a mix of curiosity and disbelief online. Some see it as an example of resourcefulness, while others find it unsettling that human body waste is being commercialized in this way.
The Cultural Context
While the practice might seem bizarre in the West, it aligns with certain principles in traditional Chinese medicine that value the body as a holistic system. Many TCM treatments incorporate natural materials — from herbs to minerals — and occasionally human-derived substances believed to hold energy or healing properties.
Still, experts caution that there’s limited scientific evidence to support the health claims linked to fingernail-based treatments.
A Reminder to Verify Before You Try
Before anyone starts hoarding nail clippings for profit, experts advise verifying the authenticity of buyers and ensuring sales are conducted legally. Some online sellers have already reported scams involving fake buyers or counterfeit “TCM laboratories.”
“Just because something is trending doesn’t mean it’s legitimate,” a Beijing consumer safety advocate noted. “Always research and confirm before engaging in unusual trade practices.”
While this peculiar story has raised eyebrows globally, it’s a reminder that value can be found in the most unexpected places — even at the tips of your fingers.
What do you think of this unusual business trend? Would you save your nail clippings if someone paid for them? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
