This type of fish is a 'tonic' for the lungs, and is very good for women's health.

Not only is it a symbol, there is a type of carp that is also considered a "medicine" for the lungs, and eating it on very cold days is very good for your health .

Nutritional value of carp meat

Each 100g of fresh carp meat contains: 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; and 15.38mg selenium. The amino acid and protein composition of carp is equivalent to the amino acid and protein composition required by the body, making it easily absorbed. It is a high-quality protein source, good fiber, and has a higher water content, resulting in very tender and smooth meat.

Carp is very good for lung health.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor Nguyen Huu Truong (working in Ho Chi Minh City), carp is very good for lung health and is a food that can help treat chronic coughs. It has anti-inflammatory properties, reduces respiratory inflammation, and is rich in nutrients, thus helping to treat coughs, strengthen the lungs, and promote faster recovery.

"People suffering from bronchitis, chronic respiratory failure, or other lung and respiratory diseases should eat carp daily to recover their health quickly ," said Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor Nguyen Huu Truong.

This is especially useful given the current weather conditions in Northern Vietnam, where prolonged periods of severe cold can negatively impact lung health and increase the risk of respiratory illnesses. Eating carp during this time can help you stay healthier.

Moreover, carp is very good for overall health, especially for women. In traditional medicine, carp is sweet in taste, neutral in nature, and contains a lot of protein and vitamins. Eating carp brings many health benefits such as reducing swelling, promoting lactation, stimulating appetite and strengthening the spleen (diuretic, reduces edema, promotes lactation, creates a feeling of hunger and nourishes the digestive system). Therefore, using carp to treat diseases is also very good. It is also one of the nutritious foods for pregnant women .

Carp is nutritious and good for health. (Illustrative image).

Note: When eating fish in general, and carp in particular, ensure it is thoroughly cooked . Absolutely do not eat raw carp, even if you believe it is very nutritious.

The reason is that almost all fish species are naturally infected with parasites, and if they are not cooked thoroughly, these parasites and worms cannot be killed. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that food is cooked thoroughly and water is boiled; absolutely avoid eating raw or undercooked fish, such as fish salad.

Some medicinal dishes made from carp.

Carp stewed with glutinous rice : This dish is beneficial for pregnancy, nourishes blood and qi, warms the spleen and stomach, relieves fatigue, treats anemia, and promotes lactation. Ingredients: one 250g carp, a slice of ginger, 200g glutinous rice. Boil the carp until cooked, marinate with wine, then add the ginger and jujube to the porridge and simmer until soft.

Carp soup with jujubes : Strengthens the spleen, nourishes the blood, and supports fetal growth. Ingredients: One 500g carp, 40g jujubes. Clean the fish, add the jujubes and a little salt, and cook until done. Eat the fish and drink the broth gradually. Eat once a week for 2-3 consecutive times.

Carp soup with red beans (small beans): Beneficial for pregnancy, nourishes blood, promotes urination, and reduces swelling. One 500g carp (with scales intact) is cooked with 150g of red beans until tender. Consume both the fish and the broth.

Carp and black bean porridge: This dish is beneficial for pregnancy, promotes urination, strengthens the spleen, and nourishes the stomach. Ingredients: One 500g carp, 10g black beans, 2 scallions, 200g glutinous rice. Boil the carp to extract the broth, remove the bones, and use the broth to make porridge. Once the porridge is soft, add the black beans and scallions, bring to a boil again, and divide into two servings.

Carp and donkey hide gelatin to treat threatened miscarriage: One 500g carp, 20g of roasted donkey hide gelatin, 100g of glutinous rice, enough water to make porridge. When almost cooked, add ginger, tangerine peel, and salt. Eat for one week and the condition will improve.

Carp and thorn root porridge : Effective for calming the fetus, relieving back pain, and edema: One fresh carp (400-500 g), 15 g of thorn root, 100 g of glutinous rice. Clean the carp and boil it to extract the broth, discarding the bones. Boil the thorn root to extract the liquid, discarding the residue. Use the carp broth and thorn root liquid to cook porridge, eating it hot twice a day for 3-5 days.

Carp can cure many diseases. (Illustrative image).

Carp porridge with onions and turmeric: This dish has diuretic, anti-edema, and lactation-boosting effects: One 500g carp, 100g rice, 2 onions, turmeric powder, wine, and seasonings. Clean the carp, marinate it with wine and turmeric powder, then boil it until cooked. Remove the bones and keep the meat and broth. Cook the porridge until soft, then add the fish broth, onions, and seasonings, and bring to a boil again. Eat in the morning and evening (in the Compendium of Materia Medica, turmeric is not used; instead, ginger and tangerine peel are used).

Carp soup with Codonopsis pilosula and Astragalus membranaceus : Nourishes the spleen, strengthens the stomach, promotes urination, reduces swelling, stabilizes pregnancy, and increases milk production. Clean one 500g carp, add 15g of Codonopsis pilosula and 50g of Astragalus membranaceus, place them in a bag, and cook them together with the carp in a soup (simmer over low heat until tender).

Carp and Atractylodes Soup: Strengthens the spleen, promotes diuresis, nourishes the blood, and stabilizes pregnancy. Ingredients: One 500g carp, 15g Atractylodes, 15g Poria, 10g each of Angelica sinensis, Paeonia lactiflora, and fresh ginger. Scale and gut the carp. Place the herbs in a cloth bag with 1500ml of water and cook the fish until done. Eat the fish and drink the soup.

Black Carp Soup: Strengthens the spleen, reduces dampness, promotes urination, eliminates edema, and stabilizes pregnancy. Ingredients: One black carp (about 500g), 100g red beans, 20g Atractylodes macrocephala, 15g mulberry bark, 10g tangerine peel, 3 spring onions. Clean the carp. First, cook the red beans in 2 liters of water until they swell. Put the other herbs in a cloth bag, then add the carp and the beans to the pot. Simmer until the beans are tender, then add the spring onions. Do not add salt. Eat the carp first, then the beans, and finally the soup. Do this three times a day until the condition is cured.

Carp and Eucommia Soup: Warms the body, nourishes the kidneys, promotes urination, reduces swelling, treats edema and back pain. Ingredients: 500g large carp tail, 30g Eucommia bark, 30g goji berries, 10g dried ginger. Clean the carp and cook it with the herbs. Simmer for one hour, then divide into two portions to eat during the day (discard the herbs). This can be eaten daily or every other day. Eat 5-7 times consecutively, then take a break before continuing.

(These remedies are for reference only.)

Dr. Pho Thi Thu Huong, Health & Life

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