Not just a symbol, a type of carp is also a “medicine” for lung health, especially beneficial during cold days.
Nutritional Value of Carp Meat
In every 100g of fresh carp meat, there are: 17.6g protein; 4.1g lipids; 25mg vitamin A; 0.09mg vitamin B2; 2.7mg vitamin PP; 1.27mg vitamin E; 33mg magnesium; 2.08mg zinc; 15.38mg selenium. The amino acid composition in carp protein is equivalent to that required by the body, making it very easy to absorb. It is a high-quality protein source with good fiber content and a higher water content, resulting in tender and fine-textured meat.
Carp is very beneficial for lung health.
According to Traditional Medicine Doctor Nguyen Huu Truong (working in Ho Chi Minh City), carp is excellent for lung health and can help treat persistent coughs. It has anti-inflammatory properties, alleviates respiratory inflammation, and is nutrient-rich, helping to treat coughs, promote lung health, and enhance recovery.
“Those suffering from bronchitis, chronic respiratory failure, or other lung-related diseases should eat carp daily to recover their health quickly,” said Doctor Nguyen Huu Truong.
This recommendation is particularly useful during the harsh cold weather in Northern Vietnam, which increases the risk of respiratory diseases and affects lung health. Eating carp during this time will help improve your well-being.
Moreover, carp is also very good for general health, especially for women. In traditional medicine, carp has a sweet taste, a neutral property, and contains high levels of protein and various vitamins. Eating carp provides numerous health benefits such as reducing swelling, improving blood circulation, stimulating appetite, and supporting digestive health. Therefore, using carp for medicinal purposes is also highly beneficial. It is also one of the nutritious foods for pregnant women.
Nutrient-rich carp is good for health. (Illustrative image).
Note: When consuming fish in general, and carp in particular, ensure that it is well-cooked. Absolutely do not eat raw carp as it is believed to be very nutritious.
The reason is that almost all fish species are naturally infected with parasites; if not cooked properly, these parasites cannot be eliminated. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that fish is well-cooked and boiled, and avoid raw or lightly cooked fish dishes.
Some Medicinal Dishes from Carp
Stewed Carp with Sticky Rice: This dish is known for its ability to stabilize pregnancy, nourish qi and blood, warm the stomach, relieve fatigue, treat anemia, and promote lactation. Use one carp weighing 250g, a slice of ginger, and 200g of sticky rice. Boil the carp, marinate with rice wine, then add the ginger to the cooked rice porridge.
Carp Soup with Jujube: This dish strengthens the spleen, nourishes blood, and supports fetal growth. Use one carp weighing 500g and 40g of jujube. Clean the carp and jujube, add a little salt, and cook until done. Consume both the fish and the soup, once a week for 2-3 consecutive weeks.
Carp Soup with Red Beans: This dish stabilizes pregnancy, nourishes blood, and promotes diuresis and swelling reduction. Use one whole carp weighing 500g, and cook it with 150g of red beans until tender for both the fish and the broth.
Carp Porridge with Mung Beans: This dish stabilizes pregnancy, promotes diuresis, strengthens the spleen, and nourishes taste. Use one carp weighing 500g, 10g of mung beans, 2 stalks of green onions, and 200g of sticky rice. Boil the carp, remove the bones, and prepare the porridge. Add the mung beans and green onions to the porridge, boil again, and divide into two servings for eating.
Carp and A-Gao for Treating Threatened Miscarriage: Use one carp weighing 500g, 20g of A-Gao (prepared), 100g of sticky rice, and enough water. Cook the porridge until nearly done, then add ginger, tangerine peel, and salt. Consume daily for a week to see improvement.
Carp Porridge with Hemp Roots: This dish helps stabilize pregnancy and relieve back pain and swelling. Use one fresh carp (400-500g), 15g of hemp roots, and 100g of sticky rice. Clean the carp and cook to extract the broth, discarding the bones. Boil the hemp roots to extract the liquid, then combine the carp broth and hemp root broth to make porridge. Consume while hot, twice a day for 3-5 days.
Carp treats various illnesses. (Illustrative image).
Carp Porridge with Onions and Turmeric: This dish promotes diuresis, reduces swelling, and enhances lactation. Use one carp weighing 500g, 100g of plain rice, 2 stalks of green onion, turmeric powder, rice wine, and seasoning. Clean the carp, marinate it with rice wine and turmeric powder, then boil until done, removing the bones to keep the meat and broth. Cook the porridge until done, then add the carp broth, green onions, and seasoning, and boil again. Consume in the morning and evening (in the Compendium of Materia Medica, turmeric is replaced with ginger and tangerine peel).
Carp Soup with Codonopsis and Astragalus: This dish nourishes the spleen, promotes digestion, supports diuresis, reduces swelling, stabilizes pregnancy, and enhances lactation. Use one cleaned carp weighing 500g, 15g of codonopsis, and 50g of astragalus, placed in a bag and cooked with the carp (under low heat for a long time until tender).
Carp Soup with Atractylodes: This dish strengthens the spleen, promotes diuresis, nourishes blood, and stabilizes pregnancy. Use one cleaned carp weighing 500g, 15g of atractylodes, 15g of poria, 10g each of angelica, white peony, and fresh ginger. Scale and gut the carp, placing the herbs in a cloth bag along with 1500ml of water to cook the carp. Eat the fish and drink the soup.
Black Carp Soup: This dish strengthens the spleen, reduces dampness, promotes diuresis, eliminates swelling, and stabilizes pregnancy. Use one black carp weighing approximately 500g, 100g of red beans, 20g of atractylodes, 15g of mulberry bark, 10g of tangerine peel, and 3 stalks of green onion. Clean the carp. First, cook the red beans with 2 liters of water until softened. Place the other herbs in a cloth bag, add the carp to the pot with the beans, and simmer until the beans are tender. Add the green onions, without adding salt. Eat the fish first, then the beans, followed by the soup, three times a day until finished.
Carp Soup with Eucommia: This dish warms yang, nourishes the kidneys, promotes diuresis, reduces swelling, and treats back pain. Use the tail of a large carp weighing 500g, 30g of eucommia, 30g of goji berries, and 10g of dried ginger. Clean the carp and cook it together with the herbs in a bag. Simmer for an hour and divide into two servings for the day, consuming both the fish and the broth (discard the herbal residue). This can be done daily or every other day. Eat 5-7 consecutive times, then take a break before continuing.
(The medicinal recipes are for reference only).
Dr. Pho Thi Thu Huong, Health & Life
