Can Double-Boiled Fish Maw with Milk Cure a Cough? A TCM Practitioner Explains Fish Maw's True Benefits and Dietary Restrictions
Cantonese people are indeed experts in brewing soups and double-boiling nourishing tonics! During consultations, I often learn unique home remedies and health maintenance tips from my patients.
Setting aside the bizarre ones, there are indeed many popular home remedies in folk medicine. Recently, a familiar patient visited Yin-Yang TCM Center and asked: "Practitioner Lee! My friend tried using 'Double-Boiled Fish Maw with Milk' to cure a cough and said it worked wonders! Can I eat it too!?"
Well, fish maw is widely known for nourishing Yin and enhancing skin appearance, but as for curing a cough... that is something I have rarely heard of. 🤔
However, since someone tried eating fish maw and recovered from a cough, I decided to search for literature in the spirit of inquiry to better understand the health benefits of fish maw.
I. Recorded in the Compendium of Materia Medica: Fish Maw Nourishes Yin and Tonifies Kidneys, Not Specifically for Cough Relief!
Fish maw (dried fish bladder) is made by cleaning, processing, and sun-drying fish swim bladders.
TCM Classic Records: The Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) records that fish maw can "tonify the Kidneys, boost essence, and nourish the meridians and vessels," and can treat Kidney deficiency, nocturnal emission, and postpartum spasms.
Benefits & Suitable Population: Fish maw is rich in proteins and collagen, offering functions such as nourishing Yin, beautifying skin, tonifying the Kidneys, and strengthening overall body functions. It is best suited for individuals with lower back and knee weakness or overall bodily deficiency.
The function of fish maw in nourishing Yin and tonifying deficiency is undeniable. However, as for literature regarding fish maw curing coughs, I have not yet found any explicit records.
II. Practitioner Lee's Warm Advice: Strictly Avoid If You Have Yellow Phlegm or Heavy Coughing!
Although fish maw is a wonderful nourishing ingredient, a gentle reminder for everyone: fish maw is ultimately a rich and cloying food.
If you fall into the category of having yellow phlegm or a heavy, deep cough (similar to bronchitis), you should avoid consuming fish maw to prevent adding unnecessary burden to your body. If you are unsure whether your body constitution is suitable for consuming it, feel free to visit Yin-Yang TCM Center to consult Practitioner Lee!
Does anyone have experiences in this area to share?
III. Double-Boiled Fish Maw with Milk & Cough FAQ
Q1: Can double-boiled fish maw with milk really relieve a cough?
A1: The classical TCM text Compendium of Materia Medica records that the main functions of fish maw are tonifying the Kidneys, boosting essence, nourishing meridians, and tonifying Yin deficiency. There is currently no explicit record in classical literature stating that fish maw directly relieves coughs or transforms phlegm.
Q2: Under what cough conditions should fish maw be avoided?
A2: Fish maw is inherently rich, heavy, and cloying. If symptoms such as yellow phlegm or a heavy, deep cough (similar to bronchitis) appear, consumption should be avoided to prevent obstructing the Stomach and worsening the condition.
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