National Treasure from the Water, Miracle of Life

Yangtze River, as the longest river in Asia and the third in the world, is a river which has nourished the glory and civilization of Chinese nation for past five thousand year. There is a mysterious fish which migrates, inhabits as well as breeding in this River.

 

The fish was born in one hundred and forty million years during the Jurassic era. It has witnessed the prosperous and extinction of dinosaurs and mammoths as well as experienced the formation and evolution of Chinese civilization.

The fish is born in the Yangtze River, grows up in the sea, and migrates back to Yangtze River to lay eggs after swimming to the upstream for more than 3000 kilometers over 500 days and nights. It experiences numerous obstacles in starvation and never look back so as to achieve its goal of life.

 

The fish has been known by people as the favorite of Yangtze River, the living fossil of fish, the panda in water, and the national treasure in water. Its medical and economic values have attracted the vast attentions of the world.

The fish has been recognized as our national rare species, and the first class of national protected animals——Chinese Sturgeon.

 

Based on research studies, foreigners attempted to breed Chinese Sturgeon in their countries. However, the Chinese Sturgeon persist to inhabit in China, the place where their lives begin. The fish believe that wherever they are, they must return to their root for breeding of their next generation. During their migration, they have demonstrated extraordinary determination and endurance of hunger, fatigue and ability to recognize the direction back home. This has amazed many people and recognizing them as the Chinese icon signifying the values of intelligence, strength and loyalty.

 

During Tang dynasty, a famous physician, Chen Zangqi, had described the efficacy of Chinese Sturgeon in his grand medical book “Gleaning Herb”. It has been recorded that the fish as a non-toxic, mild sweet, strengthening the qi, nourishing the body and providing vital energy. The famous physician Li Shizhen of the Ming dynasty has also recorded in his “Compendium of Materia Medica” that the fish’s liver can treat chronic inflammation such as sores, lumps, acne, and tumors; its meat treats hematuria; its lung and spleen strengthen the qi and increase vitality; its roe which looks like a small bean has strengthening and beautifying effects as well as killing harmful bacteria in the stomach. The Book also mentions that eating shark fin and Chinese Sturgeon bone could helpful to improve eyesight, increase potency and prolong on longevity. It was indicated that the bone and marrow of Chinese Sturgeon (commonly known as keel) contain anti-cancer factor which have cancer prevention function. Folklore tells us that eating shark fin and Chinese Sturgeon bone could prolong life and nourish yin and yang of body.

 

Throughout the whole body of the Chinese Sturgeon, it contains cartilages which have unique physical structure and biological property. This could possibly endow with strong adaptability and resistance to diseases. This has greatly contributed to their survival through hundreds of millions of years during earth evolution. Historically, there has not been any documented evidence that a Chinese sturgeon has ever being infected with cancer. 

 

There are so many undiscovered potentials of the amazing Chinese Sturgeon and its cartilages awaiting our exploration and discovery.