Fish maw, also known as fish bladder or fish stomach, is sold in seafood shops and traditional Chinese medicine stores. It is the swim bladder of various species of fish such as bighead fish, yellow croaker, or herring. According to traditional Chinese medicine, fish maw has a sweet taste and neutral property, and it is believed to have the effects of nourishing the kidneys and replenishing essence, nourishing the tendons and meridians, stopping bleeding, dispersing blood stasis, and reducing swelling. The "Compendium of Materia Medica" states, "Fish maw is thick and viscous, entering the kidneys to nourish essence..." The "New Compilation of Materia Medica" also mentions its ability to "nourish tendons and meridians, stabilize trembling hands, and strengthen essence." It is a high-grade tonic that can be used as both food and medicine. However, some unscrupulous businesses adulterate genuine fish maw by adding salt or popcorn to increase its weight. Be cautious when purchasing and using fish maw.
Genuine Fish Maw
Dried fish maw is often compressed into thin oval-shaped pieces, pale yellow in color, and has a horny texture with a slight gloss. The swim bladder of yellow croaker is smaller, while that of sturgeon and herring is larger and comes with two hanging threads. It has a tough and resilient texture that is not easily torn, and when boiled, it almost completely dissolves, forming a thick solution that solidifies into a strong gel after cooling. It has a slight fishy smell and a mild taste.
Adulterated Fish Maw
Fish maw adulterated with salt has visible white crystals on the surface, and it feels heavier. When damp, it becomes even more moist and heavy. The soaking liquid contains a higher concentration of sodium salts, resulting in a saltier taste. Fish maw adulterated with popcorn has inconsistent color, no fishy smell, and a mild taste. When iodine is added to the soaking liquid, it turns deep blue due to the starch reaction.
Modern pharmacological research has confirmed that fish maw, when combined with Chinese medicine, can treat diseases such as peptic ulcers, pulmonary tuberculosis, rheumatic heart disease, aplastic anemia, and vasculitis. It can enhance the digestive and absorptive functions of the gastrointestinal tract, improve appetite, and help prevent and treat diseases such as loss of appetite, aversion to food, indigestion, abdominal distension, and constipation. In addition, fish maw can strengthen the brain, nerves, and endocrine functions, enhance muscle toughness and elasticity, promote growth and development, alleviate fatigue, improve immune function, and prevent and treat conditions such as cognitive decline, poor child development, insufficient lactation in postpartum women, and insomnia in the elderly. Fish maw is also a beauty product that can improve sagging, tighten the skin, reduce deep wrinkles, and smooth out fine lines, restoring skin elasticity. It can also lighten skin tone and fade dark spots. It can tighten loose tissues and support sagging breasts, making them firm, full, and elastic. Adulterated fish maw greatly reduces these effects, affecting its therapeutic efficacy, so careful identification is necessary when purchasing and using it.
