Compositions and methods of preparing compositions containing hyaluronic acid derived from eggshell membrane are disclosed. The compositions can contain essentially pure hyaluronic acid or hyaluronic acid in combination with other naturally occurring constituents derived from eggshell membrane. In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of treating a mammal that will benefit from the administration of hyaluronic acid, which includes administering to the mammal a composition containing hyaluronic acid derived from eggshell membrane.