With numerous nutritional benefits, the snakehead fish is often used to enhance health. This type of fish is also likened to the “ginseng” of the poor.
According to Doctor Huỳnh Tấn Vũ from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City – Campus 3, snakehead fish, also known as “lóc” or “chuối” fish, is prepared in delicious traditional dishes, frequently gracing Vietnamese dining tables. Snakehead fish is a prized fish due to its tasty, sweet, fragrant, and firm meat with minimal bones. Besides its culinary uses, snakehead fish is also a beneficial herbal remedy for health.
Modern medicine acknowledges that snakehead fish meat contains high levels of protein, lipids, calcium, iron, and provides vitamins B2 and PP. Snakehead fish is an ideal food for those recovering from illness or suffering from weakened health. Not only is it nourishing, but snakehead fish is also easily digestible.
Dr. Vũ indicates that snakehead fish is utilized in traditional medicine under the name lệ ngư. The flesh of the fish is used for nourishment and healing.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, snakehead fish has a sweet taste, a neutral property, is non-toxic, and benefits the spleen, stomach, and kidneys. It is used in herbal remedies to strengthen the spleen, promote diuresis, eliminate stagnation, reduce inflammation, and dispel wind heat. Snakehead fish is recommended for cases of joint pain, rheumatism, edema, skin rashes, poor appetite in children, slow digestion, and hemorrhoids.
Snakehead fish is an ideal food for those recovering from illness. (Image: ST)
In folk medicine, snakehead fish is commonly used to nourish underweight children who sweat excessively. To prepare, clean 100g of snakehead fish to remove the slime with boiling water, filter the flesh, chop it finely, fry until golden and fragrant, then cook with 300ml of water, adding salt to taste. Serve the child both the meat and broth in one day, continuing this for three days.
Additionally, snakehead fish can be made into fish floss, which is very suitable for the elderly, women, and children who are weak, underweight, and lack appetite; it can be eaten alongside meals for 5-7 days at a time.
Some delicious dishes that act as “medicines” from snakehead fish
- Lung nourishment, body weakness: One snakehead fish braised with jujubes. Clean the fish by removing scales, gutting, and cutting off the head and tail; chop into pieces, season with salt, pepper, and smashed ginger, add water and jujubes, then cook until tender. Consume 2-3 times a week.
- Calming, enhancing mental clarity, and strengthening the spleen: 500g snakehead fish, 10 red jujubes, 2 red-skinned apples, 2 slices of fresh ginger, seasoning, vegetable oil. Fry the fish with ginger until fragrant. Peel and seed the apples, cut into small pieces. Remove seeds from the jujubes. Boil water and add all ingredients, followed by the apples. Ensure the water covers everything. Cover tightly and cook for 2 hours. Season to taste, and serve hot. Continue for 10 days.
- Swelling in the face, hands, and feet: One snakehead fish cooked with young water spinach leaves, young mulberry leaves, or wax gourd. Eat throughout the day until urination improves and facial swelling decreases.
- Chronic itching: One cleaned snakehead fish stuffed with horseweed leaves, tightly tied, then wrapped with horseweed leaves around the fish body and burned until the leaves are completely charred. Remove the leaves and consume all the fish meat in one day. Use for 2-3 days.
- Weak liver, high fever, excessive sweating: Clean the snakehead fish, dry it until crispy, grind into powder and sift finely. Take 10g three times a day to treat high fever, excessive sweating, hepatitis, and jaundice.
- Treating ear abscesses: 250g snakehead fish, 200g squid, 50 peanuts, and 4 salted plums. Cook all ingredients until tender. Eat both the solids and the broth.
Dr. Vũ emphasizes that snakehead fish is very beneficial for health and can be prepared into nourishing dishes and medicinal remedies. However, individuals with health issues should seek medical advice to accurately diagnose their conditions. If using snakehead fish as a remedy, it is essential to consult a qualified professional for appropriate supplementation.
