Bighead carp is a name used in traditional Chinese medicine. It refers to the entire body of Aristichthys nobilis (Richardson), a species of fish in the genus Aristichthys of the Cyprinidae family. It has the effects of warming the middle burner, strengthening the spleen, and fortifying the tendons and bones. It is primarily used to treat spleen and stomach deficiency, indigestion, swelling of the limbs, soreness in the lower back and knees, and weakness when walking.
Bighead Carp
Bighead carp is a name used in traditional Chinese medicine. It refers to the entire body of Aristichthys nobilis (Richardson), a species of fish in the genus Aristichthys of the Cyprinidae family. It has the effects of warming the middle burner, strengthening the spleen, and fortifying the tendons and bones. It is primarily used to treat spleen and stomach deficiency, indigestion, swelling of the limbs, soreness in the lower back and knees, and weakness when walking.
Chinese Name : 鳙鱼
Aliases : Silver carp, silver crucian carp, silver crucian, soaphead, soap silver carp, black soaphead, bighead silver carp, silver crucian, soaphead fish, fathead fish
Nature, Flavor & Meridian Tropism : Sweet in taste, warm in nature
Benefits & Efficacy
Benefits
Warms the middle burner and strengthens the spleen; fortifies tendons and bones.
Indications
Weakness of the spleen and stomach, indigestion, swelling of the limbs, soreness in the lower back and knees, and weakness when walking.
Usage and Dosage
Internal use: Decoct in water; take in appropriate amounts.
Precautions
*Compendium of Materia Medica*: “Excessive consumption may induce wind-heat and cause sores and scabies.”
Chemical Constituents
1. Fish meat contains various amino acids: glutamic acid, leucine, and alanine, as well as taurine. It also contains fatty acids such as palmitic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid. 2. The serum contains globulin, inosine, hypoxanthine, AMP, ADP, ATP, and IMP. 3. It also contains cholesterol, triglycerides, carotene, chicken-mushroom xanthophyll, and lutein, among others.
Relevant Discussions
1. *Food Materia Medica*: “Warms the stomach and benefits the body.”
2. *The Original Source of Materia Medica*: “Warms the stomach, relieves dizziness, nourishes the brain marrow, and is suitable for elderly individuals with phlegm-induced wheezing.”
3. *Chinese Animal Medicines*: “Warms the spleen and stomach, strengthens tendons and bones. Treats spleen and stomach deficiency, indigestion, swelling of the limbs, soreness in the lower back and knees, and difficulty walking.”
Applications
Clinical Applications
Medicinal Diet: Grass Carp Head Soup
1. Benefits: Suitable for spleen and stomach deficiency with cold symptoms; helps prevent respiratory tract inflammation; particularly beneficial for childhood asthma.
2. Ingredients: 1 grass carp head (approx. 500 grams), 3–5 slices of ham, 10 grams of fresh or dried ginger, salt and MSG to taste.
3. Preparation: Lightly pan-fry the grass carp head in vegetable oil, add the ham and ginger or dried ginger, then pour in 1,500 milliliters of water. Bring to a boil, then simmer over low heat for about 1 hour until the soup turns milky white. Season with salt and MSG to taste.
4. Usage: Drink the soup and eat the meat; this can be consumed regularly.
Related Compatibility
1. For spleen deficiency with edema: An appropriate amount of grass carp meat, 5 g of Poria cocos, and 15 g of Atractylodes macrocephala. Simmer, then eat the meat and drink the broth.
2. For aching in the lower back and knees, and difficulty walking: An appropriate amount of grass carp meat, 10 g of Dipsacus asper, 20 g of Cibotium barometz, and 15 g of Achyranthes bidentata. Decoct in water and take twice daily. (Recipes 1 and 2 are from *Chinese Animal Medicines*)
Processing & Preparation
Harvesting & Processing
It can be caught in all four seasons. After catching, remove the scales and internal organs, and use while fresh.
Crude Drug Identification
Botanical Information
Morphological Characteristics
The body is laterally compressed and slightly elevated. A narrow fleshy ridge runs from the base of the pelvic fins to the anus. The mouth is terminal, with the mouth slit slanting slightly upward; the snout is rounded and blunt. The eyes are small and sublateral, located below the midline of the head. The gills are rake-like, resembling grating plates but not fused; they possess epigillia, and the number of gill rakes increases with the size of the individual.Scales are very small; there are 99–115 lateral line scales. The dorsal fin consists of 3, 7 rays and is very short, originating behind the base of the pelvic fins. The pectoral fins are large and elongated, with their tips extending beyond the base of the pelvic fins. The anal fin consists of 3, 12–13 rays. The caudal fin is deeply forked, with the upper and lower lobes approximately equal in length.The body is grayish-black, with the back and upper sides dark brown and marked with fine black spots. The abdomen is silvery-white. The fin rays are grayish-white and bear numerous black spots.
Distribution Area
Found in the Yangtze River basin. Currently, it is kept in captivity in most parts of the country.