Aristichthys nobilis（Richardson）
Aliases：Xiū Yú, Yōng Yú, Zào Bāo Tóu, Zào Lián, Hēi Bāo Tóu Yú, Yōng Tóu Lián, Zōng Yú, Bāo Tóu Yú, Pàng Tóu Yú, Hēi Lián, Huā Lián.
Yōng Yú is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the whole body of Aristichthys nobilis (Richardson), a fish belonging to the genus Aristichthys of the family Cyprinidae. Bighead carp is also known as spotted silver carp, bighead fish, and black silver carp, among other names, and is one of the four major Chinese freshwater fishes. It was first recorded in Bencao Shiyi (Supplements to the Materia Medica) and is also documented in Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu). Li Shizhen stated: “Bighead carp is found in rivers and lakes everywhere. It resembles silver carp but is black in color, with the largest head, sometimes reaching forty to fifty jin in weight. Its taste is inferior to that of silver carp. The finest part of silver carp is its belly, while the finest part of bighead carp is its head.”
Efficacy & Actions
Warms the middle, strengthens the Spleen, and fortifies the sinews and bones.
Indications
Indicated for Spleen-Stomach weakness, indigestion, limb swelling, soreness and pain of the lower back and knees, and difficulty in walking. The head of the bighead carp can be used for wind-cold headache, amenorrhea, and dysmenorrhea. Bencao Qiuyuan (Original Quest of Materia Medica) records that it “warms the Stomach, relieves dizziness, benefits the brain and marrow, and is suitable for elderly patients with phlegm-induced wheezing.” Wang Ying’s Shiwu Bencao (Dietetic Materia Medica) records that it “warms the Stomach and benefits the body.”
Modern Pharmacology
Modern research has revealed that the bighead carp is not only a nutrient-rich food but also contains various bioactive peptides with clear pharmacological potential in anti-aging, immunomodulation, and blood pressure reduction. These studies provide a modern scientific annotation for the traditional Chinese medicine descriptions of its effects such as "benefiting the brain and marrow" and "warming the Stomach."
Ingredients
The flesh of bighead carp contains various amino acids, with glutamic acid being the most abundant, followed by leucine and alanine, as well as taurine. It contains fatty acids such as palmitic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid. The serum contains haptoglobin, inosine, hypoxanthine, AMP, ADP, ATP, and IMP. In addition, it also contains cholesterol, triglycerides, carotene, canthaxanthin, and lutein, among others.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, an appropriate amount.
Contraindications
Excessive consumption may induce wind-heat and cause scabies and sores—Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) records: "Excessive consumption induces wind-heat and causes scabies and sores." Not suitable for patients with pruritic skin diseases—as bighead carp is warm and sweet in nature, it may generate dampness and fire, which can aggravate skin conditions caused by fire-toxin. Those with febrile diseases or severe internal heat should avoid excessive consumption. Use with caution in those with allergic predisposition—those allergic to fish should avoid consumption. The gallbladder is toxic and should not be consumed—the gallbladder of bighead carp is poisonous and must be carefully removed before consumption.
Selected Formulas
1. For edema due to Spleen deficiency (from Chinese Animal Medicines) Take an appropriate amount of bighead carp meat, 5 g of Polyporus (Zhū Líng), and 15 g of Atractylodes (Bái Zhú). Decoct together, then eat the meat and drink the liquid. 2. For soreness and pain of the lower back and knees with difficulty in walking (from Chinese Animal Medicines) Take an appropriate amount of bighead carp meat, 10 g of Dipsacus (Xù Duàn), 20 g of Cibotium (Gǒu Jǐ), and 15 g of Achyranthes (Niú Xī). Decoct in water and take orally, twice daily.
Daily Consumption
For edema due to spleen deficiency (Chinese Animal Medicines) Take an appropriate amount of bighead carp meat, 5g of Zhuling (Polyporus), and 15g of Baizhu (Atractylodes). Cook together, eat the fish meat, and drink the liquid. For soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees with difficulty in movement (Chinese Animal Medicines) Take an appropriate amount of bighead carp meat, 10g of Xuduan (Dipsacus), 20g of Gouji (Cibotium), and 15g of Niuxi (Achyranthes). Decoct in water and drink, twice daily.
Medicinal Parts
Whole body (i.e., the flesh of the fish).
Selection & Storage
Fresh use: This is the most common method. After catching, remove the scales, gills, and internal organs, wash thoroughly, and cook directly for consumption. Short-term preservation: Refrigeration or micro-freezing: According to the Hunan Provincial Standard for Chinese Medicinal Materials, fresh products may be stored at -4°C. Salting or heat treatment: Folk methods include soaking the prepared fish in a 10% saltwater solution, or briefly scalding in hot water at 80–90°C, then placing on ice to extend the shelf life. Long-term preservation: The cleaned bighead carp may be wrapped in plastic wrap and stored in the freezer.
