For generations, Chinese people have been using lard and have been living healthy lives without any issues. The only diseases they faced were malnutrition and those caused by war or natural disasters. However, since the May Fourth Movement, the Chinese have started to abandon their traditions and embrace Western education and science. In the process, they have discarded the excellent traditions of their ancestors, such as lard, and have started using various healthier vegetable oils or genetically modified oils. As a result, heart disease has now become the leading cause of death.
Why were people healthy when they consumed lard in the past? If a butcher gave them meat with less fat, they would get angry. But now, everyone eats lean pork and avoids fatty meat, yet the incidence of heart disease has significantly increased. There must be something wrong with this.
The Efficacy and Functions of Lard
So, I specifically researched the uses of lard and found that it is truly a treasure. It is a must-have for dietary therapy.
Firstly, the nature of lard is sweet, slightly cool, and non-toxic. Its first function is detoxification. It can detoxify various toxins such as venom from snakes or scorpions, gallstones, acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, sulfur poisoning, and liver toxins. Nowadays, people are always worried about unscrupulous merchants adding sulfur to food. But don't worry, just eat more lard.
The second function of lard is to treat five types of jaundice: yellow jaundice, cereal jaundice, alcohol jaundice, black jaundice, and female labor jaundice, as well as the edema caused by these types of jaundice. Among these five types of jaundice is modern cancer, so lard can also alleviate cancer-related edema. This is because lard can "facilitate the intestines and stomach, promote urination, invigorate blood circulation, and disperse stagnant blood."
For example, if someone has difficulty urinating, the scientific approach nowadays is to insert a catheter. Science is science, but the patient's dignity and privacy are lost down the drain. The traditional Chinese medicine approach is to use one pound of fatty pork, two liters of water, boil it three times, and drink it to promote urination. Before rushing to the hospital and asking a nurse to insert a catheter, why not try this method?
Benefits and Functions of Lard for Children
Compared to other vegetable oils, animal fats have a unique and irreplaceable aroma that can increase a child's appetite and help prevent and treat anorexia.
Benefits and Functions of Lard for Pregnant Women
When pregnant women consume lard, especially when paired with radishes, vermicelli, or soy products, they can enjoy a delicious taste that is difficult to achieve with other seasonings. It can increase their appetite, provide sufficient nutrition, and prevent constipation during pregnancy.
Benefits and Functions of Lard for Women
Lard contains various fatty acids, with the content of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids almost equal. It provides certain nutrition and high calories, which can give a feeling of fullness to women seeking to lose weight. It can also improve dryness and cracking of the skin.
Benefits and Functions of Lard for Men
According to the "Sui Xi Ju Diet Recipes," lard-fried bitter melon has the functions of clearing heat, nourishing the liver, improving vision, moistening the spleen, and tonifying the kidneys. It is suitable for men, especially office workers, and is a good dietary therapy.
Benefits and Functions of Lard for the Elderly
A balanced vegetarian diet can prevent the occurrence of certain problems. However, the elderly should consume some animal fats, including lard, in moderation to supplement their deficiencies and moisturize dryness. Excessive consumption should be avoided.
There are many more uses of lard, but I won't go into detail here. In summary, lard is a good thing that we shouldn't discard the teachings of our ancestors. While Western technology is advanced, their medical knowledge is far behind ours, as can be seen from their average life expectancy. However, the good habits and methods left by our ancestors are slowly disappearing.
