Catfish is good for you – according to TCM beliefs

Many of our customers have shared the benefits of consuming Catfish, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) beliefs.

We look up some of these benefits to share with you –

鲶鱼的基本介绍   What are Catfish?

鲶鱼（鲇鱼），又称作胡子鲶、黏鱼、塘虱鱼，生仔鱼。此鱼的显著特征是周身无鳞，身体表面多黏液，头扁口阔，上下颌有四根胡须，口的周围有数条长须，利用此须能辨别出味道，这是它的特征，鲇鱼的最佳食用季节在仲春和仲夏之间。鲶的同类几乎是分布在全世界，多数种类是生活在池塘或河川等的淡水中，但部分种类生活在海洋里。

Catfish, named for the “whiskers” around their mouths, have a unique feature of scaleless skins, which are sometimes slimy, as the fish secretes slime as a form of defense mechanism against pathogens. The Catfish barbels (“whiskers”) are used to distinguish different smells in its surroundings. Catfish can be found all over the world in freshwater ponds and rivers, making them an important food fish in many places. It is best to consume Catfish between Spring and Summer.

鲶鱼的功效与作用   The Benefits of Catfish

1.催乳
鲇鱼是催乳的佳品，并有滋阴养血、补中气、开胃、利尿的作用，是妇女产后食疗滋补的必选食物。
2.去水肿
中医认为，鲶鱼味甘性温，有补中益阳，利小便，疗水肿等功效。
3.滋补佳品
鲶鱼是名贵的营养佳品，早在史书中就有记载，可以和鱼翅、野生甲鱼相媲美，它的食疗作用和药用价值是其他鱼类所不具备的，独特的强精壮骨和益寿作用是它独具的亮点。

1. Induce lactation

Catfish are extremely beneficial in inducing lactation, and can aid in blood production, restoration of energy, improve appetite, as well as promote diuresis. It is most helpful to women who have just given birth.

2. Reduce edema

TCM practitioners belief that the sweet, mild flesh of Catfish are nourishing, and can aid in urine production, reducing edema (swelling caused by an accumulation of excessive fluids).

3. A nourishing supplement

Catfish have been known as expensive supplement products since ancient times. Its medicinal value in TCM terms are one of a kind, and can hardly be found in other types of fish.

鲶鱼的存储  Storing your Catfish

将鱼去除内脏，清洗干净后，吸干表皮水分，用保鲜膜包好，放入冰箱冷冻保存。

After processing and cleaning, pat skin dry to remove moisture on its surface. Cover with food wrap, and store in the refrigerator (freeze).

鲶鱼的食用方法  Consumption Methods

1.鲶鱼子有毒，必须经过较长时间的烧煮才可食用，否则会引起中毒，症状主要为腹痛和腹泻。
2.鲇鱼药食俱佳，以炖煮最宜，仲春和仲夏之间为最佳食用季节。
3.鲇鱼体表黏液丰富，宰杀后放入沸水中烫一下，再用清水洗净，即可去掉黏液。

1. Catfish roe contains toxins, and needs to be cooked for a prolonged period before consumption is suitable. Otherwise, it may cause poisoning, resulting in diarrhea and vomiting.

2. The best method of cooking Catfish would be to stew.

3. Catfish skin is often slimy. After processing, scald Catfish with boiling water and wash to remove slime.

Information extracted from: Xiangha.com

 

Where to get FRESH catfish? Head down to 181 Neo Tiew Road today!