The offering of this fish is believed to express gratitude and thanks for the protection of the southern land god to the ancestors who came to this land to clear it 300-400 years ago. Moreover, snakehead fish is also considered a specialty of this region, and offering it to the deities expresses gratitude for the bountiful nature, which has provided favorable weather conditions, and pays homage to the hard-working life of the ancestors.
Snakehead fish have a strong vitality, can live in muddy waters, and have a high survival rate, so they are seen as a symbol of effort and striving. In feng shui, fish are also believed to attract wealth and luck. The people of the Mekong Delta offer this fish to the God of Wealth, hoping to receive good fortune, prosperity, and abundance for the year.
Apart from the above meanings, snakehead fish is also a very nutritious food, consumed year-round by the locals to boost their health. Modern medical research has found that snakehead fish meat contains 18.2% protein, 2.7% lipid, 90mg of calcium, 240mg of phosphorus, 2.2mg of iron, and provides 97 calories per 100g of meat. In addition, snakehead fish also contains vitamins B2 and PP…
Snakehead fish is a ceremonial offering made by the people of Southern Vietnam during the God of Wealth worship ceremony. Photo illustration.
BSCK II Huynh Tan Vu (Hospital of Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Branch 3) shared that in traditional Chinese medicine, snakehead fish has a sweet taste, a neutral nature, and is non-toxic. It enters the spleen, stomach, and kidneys. With its nutritional value and medicinal properties, snakehead fish is also likened to “ginseng for the poor” due to its numerous health benefits.
Accordingly, snakehead fish is used in prescriptions to strengthen the spleen, benefit the water element in the body, eliminate stagnation and generate new flesh, reduce inflammation, dispel wind, and clear heat. It is effective in treating joint pain, rheumatism, edema, itching, poor appetite in children, slow digestion, and hemorrhoids.
According to Doctor Vu, in folk medicine, snakehead fish is often used to nourish weak and underweight children who tend to sweat a lot. The preparation method is as follows: Use 100g of snakehead fish, clean it with boiling water to remove the slime, separate the meat, cut it into small pieces, fry until golden and aromatic, boil with 300ml of water, and add salt to taste. Let the child consume both the fish and the soup within a day, and continue this for three consecutive days.
Additionally, snakehead fish can be made into a type of fish sauce (ruốc). This product is very suitable for the elderly, women, and weak and underweight children with poor appetites. It can be consumed with meals for 5-7 days at a time.
Aside from its spiritual significance, snakehead fish is also a delicious and nutritious dish. Photo illustration.
In addition, locals can refer to the following medicinal recipes using snakehead fish:
– To calm the mind, nourish the intellect, and strengthen the spleen: Use 500g of snakehead fish, 10 jujubes, 2 red apples (with red skin), 2 slices of fresh ginger, spices, and vegetable oil. Fry the fish with ginger until fragrant. Peel and core the apples, cut into small pieces. Remove the seeds from the jujubes. Boil water, add all the ingredients, including the apples and jujubes. Make sure the water level covers the ingredients. Cover and simmer for 2 hours. Add spices and serve hot. Consume daily for 10 consecutive days.
– For long-term itching that doesn’t respond to treatment: Take one snakehead fish, clean it, and stuff its belly with ke dau ngu (a type of herb) leaves. Tie it closed, then wrap the entire fish with more ke dau ngu leaves. Burn the leaves until they are charred, remove the burnt leaves, and consume the fish within a day. Repeat for 2-3 days.
– For weak liver, high fever, and excessive sweating: Clean and dry the snakehead fish until crisp, then grind into a fine powder. Consume 10g of this powder three times a day to treat high fever, excessive sweating, hepatitis, and jaundice.
Although snakehead fish is highly beneficial for health, Doctor Vu noted that its use should be supplementary and nourishing. For any health concerns, it is advisable to seek diagnosis and treatment from Western medicine practitioners.
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