Frog and Bittermelon Essence

Now for something interesting and maybe shocking for most people but definitely no stranger to the Asians or the French - FROG!  How does it taste?  It taste like Poussin and Shark meat mixed together - delicate, sweet and tender.
Why is this dish is to be served to new mothers?  The combination of frog and bittermelon has great therapeutic value -  promote better blood flow as well as increases platelet count to arrest further bleeding from the wound due to tearing during birth.

Frog is high in protein, low-fat and contains Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.  From TCM point of view frog meat is Cool-Neutral in nature and Sweet in taste.  It enters the Lung, Kidney and Spleen Channels.

Whilst the bittermelon:

1. Aids digestion.
2. Contains antiviral properties.
3. Antihelmintic - inhibits Caenorhabditis elegans (round worm) growth causing gastrointestinal disease.
4. Antimalarial.
5. Antiviral. 
   
6. Cardioprotective. 
   
7. Immunomodulator.
8. Aids Diabetes
9. Anticancer properties.

It is Cool in Nature, and taste Bitter, Sweet.  It enters the Spleen, Liver, and Kidney channels.

So let's see how it is prepared.

1 medium size frog - cleaned and cut to pieces
1 small bittermelon - deseed and diced
250 ml water
Soy sauce or Tamari to taste


Method:

1. Placed all ingredients in a small ceramic lidded pot which can fit into a larger metal lidded pot.
2. Carefully pour in cold water into the larger pot until the water level is about halfway of the ceramic pot.  TIPS:  Placed a clean cloth at the bottom of the metal pot before placing the ceramic pot.  This will ensure the stability of the smaller pot and avoid movement while the water is boiling.
3. Secure lid and bring the water to boil, then turn down heat to simmer for 1 hour.
4. Check water level occasionally and always add HOT boiling water if needed.
5. Serve hot with rice or on its own.

Functions and Benefits:

1. Frog - Tones Yin fluids, lubricate Dryness, improves Lung Qi.
2. Bittermelon - Clears heat, tones Yin Blood and fluids, relief Blood stasis in the Liver channel, alleviates Liver-Spleen disharmony, benefit for Wasting and Thirsting Syndrome.

Precautions and Contraindication:

1. Overall this dish is Cool-Neutral in nature and slightly Damp.  It is not recommended for person with Excessive Damp accumulation in the Lungs due to Cold pathogen.
2. Bittermelon is Cool and it effect Liver Yin Blood and fluids.  Therefore it is not recommended for pregnant women.  The blood moving and cooling properties may cause spotting and induce contraction.
3. For those who are insulin dependent, must be cautious when ingesting bittermelon because it may have additional effect when used concomitantly, especially drinking the juice when pressed raw.

If you have any doubt or want to know more about this recipe, contact your TCM practitioner or myself.

Thank you for reading.

Kenny Law
Australia Registered TCM Practitioner.
 

DISCLAIMER:
Information given are purely for references and it is not intent to diagnose medical conditions or to be used for self-diagnosed. Always consult medical health personnel for proper medical diagnosis.

© COPYRIGHT 2010 KENNY LAW

Sharing and/or reproduction of any part of this document is prohibited without written consent

For further reading: