Autumn is a good time for the weak to nourish their bodies, and fish is an excellent aquatic food for this purpose. Not only is it delicious, but it is also extremely nutritious. Its protein content is twice that of pork, and it is a high-quality protein with a high absorption rate by the human body. Below are the medicinal properties and therapeutic effects of common fish, for reference when selecting them for consumption.
Carp: Also known as crucian carp, it is sweet in taste and warm in nature. Its effects include promoting urination to reduce swelling, replenishing qi to strengthen the spleen, unblocking meridians to promote lactation, and clearing heat to detoxify. It is mainly indicated for edema, ascites, insufficient lactation in postpartum women, gastroptosis, and prolapse of the anus.
Hairtail: It can nourish the five organs, expel wind, and kill parasites. It is especially suitable for those with a weak spleen and stomach, indigestion, or dry skin. It can be used as an adjuvant therapy for persistent and chronic hepatitis. Regular consumption of hairtail can also moisten the skin, keeping it moist and elastic.
Carp: Sweet in taste and warm in nature. It has the effects of promoting urination to reduce swelling, replenishing qi to strengthen the spleen, and unblocking meridians to promote lactation. It is mainly indicated for edema, insufficient lactation, and poor fetal development.
Loach: Sweet in taste and neutral in nature. It has the effects of warming the middle to replenish qi, clearing heat and promoting urination, and detoxifying to reduce hemorrhoids. It can be used to treat damp-heat jaundice, dysuria, and night sweats after illness.
It should be noted that people with the following diseases should not eat too much fish. These diseases are:
Gout patients, because fish contains purine substances, and gout is caused by a disorder of purine metabolism in the body.
Patients with bleeding disorders, such as those with thrombocytopenia, hemophilia, vitamin K deficiency, and other bleeding disorders, should eat less or no fish, because the eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in fish can inhibit platelet aggregation, thereby aggravating the bleeding symptoms of patients with bleeding disorders.
Cirrhosis patients, as the body has difficulty producing clotting factors in cirrhosis, coupled with low platelet counts, which can easily cause bleeding. If they then eat fish rich in eicosapentaenoic acid, such as sardines, grass carp, and tuna, the condition can worsen dramatically, adding fuel to the flames.
Tuberculosis patients taking isoniazid may easily have allergic reactions if they eat certain fish. Mild reactions include nausea, headache, skin flushing, and conjunctival congestion. Severe reactions may include palpitations, numbness and swelling of the lips and face, rash, diarrhea, abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, elevated blood pressure, and even hypertensive crises and cerebral hemorrhage.