Snake meat is also known as wufeng snake meat, changchong meat, python meat, black flower snake meat, and so on. In the south, especially in Yunnan and other places, snake banquets are often used to entertain guests from afar, turning the "awe-inspiring" snake into a popular delicacy. What are the effects and taboos of eating snake meat? Let's find out.
Preventing Arteriosclerosis
The nutritional value of snake meat also comes from the rich nutrients it contains. Not only does it contain the eight essential amino acids in its protein, but it also contains nutrients such as linoleic acid in its fat. Due to its low cholesterol content, snake meat has a certain effect in preventing arteriosclerosis.
Improving Brain Function and Reducing Fatigue
Snake meat contains a variety of essential amino acids for the human body. Among them, there are nutrients such as glutamic acid that can enhance the activity of brain cells and aspartic acid that can eliminate fatigue, making it a good food for mental workers.
Nourishing the Blood and Strengthening the Essence
Snake meat tastes similar to chicken but is not greasy and has a refreshing taste. After eating it, you will immediately feel warm and your energy will be enhanced. It also has the function of hematopoiesis, which makes it suitable for people with anemia.
Dispelling Wind and Activating Collaterals
In traditional Chinese medicine, snake meat is believed to have a warm and sweet taste and belongs to the liver and kidney meridians. It has the functions of dispersing wind and dampness, activating collaterals, relieving pain, strengthening tendons and bones, and disinfecting and detoxifying. It can be used to treat various rheumatic and blood stasis-induced waist and leg pain and other symptoms.
Improving Eyesight and Relieving Cough
Snake gallbladder is considered a precious Chinese medicine. It can dispel wind and dampness, clear heat and improve eyesight, and relieve cough and transform phlegm. It is clinically used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, red and swollen eyes, and other conditions. The quality of snake gallbladder is best in winter, followed by late autumn and early summer.
Snake Whip for Tonifying the Kidneys and Strengthening Yang
Snake whip refers to the reproductive organs of male snakes. It contains male hormones, proteins, and other components. It has the effects of tonifying the kidneys, strengthening yang, and warming the middle and regulating the organs. It can be used to treat impotence, kidney deficiency tinnitus, chronic orchitis, and female infertility caused by cold uterus, etc.
Taboos in Eating Snake Meat
1. Children should not eat snake meat.
2. Pregnant women can eat snake meat in moderation, but they should not eat snake gallbladder.
3. Snake brain should not be eaten.
4. It is not suitable to eat snake meat together with pork, beef, chili, potato, onion, scallion, orange, and carp. After eating, it is not suitable to drink tea or alcohol, especially strong liquor.
5. Patients with pneumonia should not eat snake meat. People with yang deficiency internal heat, spleen and stomach heat, and hypertension should eat with caution or avoid it. Those with excessive yang heat or yin deficiency internal heat, manifested as fever, redness, irritability, thirst, constipation, and red urine, should avoid it.
6. Snakes are also the guardian spirits of the Yao ethnic minority in China, so the Yao people prohibit eating snake meat.