Zhongshan Dog Meat

Zhongshan Dog Meat

　　Dog meat from the mountains is one of the main specialties of Hezhou, Guangxi. Not only is dog meat high in protein, but it also plays a significant role in enhancing the body’s disease resistance, cellular vitality, and organ function. Eating dog meat can strengthen the physique. In traditional Chinese medicine, dog meat is believed to have warming effects that nourish kidney yang, and it is considered therapeutic for patients suffering from kidney yang deficiency, impotence, and premature ejaculation.

　　Nutritional Value

　　 Dog meat is rich in protein and fat, and also contains vitamins A and B2,

　　 vitamin E, amino acids, and mineral elements such as iron, zinc, and calcium.

　　 In addition to being high in protein and fat, dog meat also contains vitamins A and E, vitamin B2, amino acids, and trace elements such as iron, zinc, and calcium. The protein in dog meat is abundant and of high quality, significantly contributing to improved disease resistance, cellular vitality, and organ function. Consuming dog meat can enhance physical strength, improve digestion, promote blood circulation, and enhance sexual function. The small amount of rare elements found in dog meat can be beneficial for treating ischemic heart and brain diseases and help regulate high blood pressure. It may also aid in the treatment of frailty in the elderly.

　　 Medicinal Value

　　 Dog meat has a salty and slightly sour taste, and is warm in nature. It is believed to have the effects of warming the kidneys, strengthening yang, boosting energy, enriching the blood, and enhancing the body’s resistance to illness. It nourishes kidney yang, strengthens muscles and bones, and is best consumed in autumn and winter for tonification.

　　 Dog meat also helps strengthen the spleen and warm the stomach; warms the kidneys and boosts yang; and nourishes essence. Li Shizhen’s Compendium of Materia Medica – Section on Dogs states: “Dog meat is salty, sour, and warm in nature, non-toxic, and can calm the five internal organs, heal severe injuries, lighten the body, and boost qi. It is beneficial for nourishing the kidneys, invigorating stomach qi, strengthening yang, warming the waist and knees, and enhancing physical strength. It can treat the five types of exhaustion and seven types of injury, benefit yang functions, enrich the blood, and enhance gastrointestinal function as well as the functions of the kidneys and bladder, while also nourishing essence.”

　　 The Tang Dynasty text Diet Therapy Materia Medica says, “Dog meat treats the five types of exhaustion and seven types of injury, benefits yang functions, enriches the blood, strengthens the gastrointestinal tract, fortifies the lower Yuan, and nourishes essence.” The Song Dynasty text Daily Compilation of Materia Medica by Various Authors also states that dog meat “invigorates stomach qi, strengthens yang, warms the waist and knees, and enhances physical strength.” The Universal Relief Prescriptions similarly notes, “(Dog meat) tastes sour and salty, is warm in nature, and non-toxic. It is good for the kidneys, calms the five internal organs, heals severe injuries and exhaustion, and when consumed over a long period by those suffering from serious weakness, it lightens the body and boosts qi and strength.” Meanwhile, Luo’s Collected Medical Mirror also points out, “Dog meat … warms the spleen and stomach, and the waist and kidneys also benefit from it. It supplements deficiency and cold, and promotes yang energy.”