They are an endangered species yet continue to be caught, sun dried and grated. We are talking about the seahorse, one of the most fascinating animals in the world that is killed and used as a remedy for Chinese medicine.
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves himThey are an endangered species yet continue to be caught, sun dried and grated. We are talking about the seahorse, one of the most fascinating animals in the world that is killed and used as a remedy for Chinese medicine.
Seahorses are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species yet in China the shops are filled with jars that contain them as if they were ordinary candy. These marine animals are used in local medicine as powerful aphrodisiacs.
So among shark fins, tiger bones and starfish, they become ingredients of potions that according to the Chinese would be miraculous. Already tested by habitat loss, pollution and ocean acidification, seahorses face extinction.
The most popular is the Hippocampus capensis species, endemic to South Africa, it is estimated that Chinese medicine uses over 20 million specimens every year that are used both alive for aquariums, both for medicine and as souvenirs. Even drying takes place in the street.
One of the most flourishing markets is that of Guangzhou in the north-west of Hong Kong, where in a completely unscientific way, the poor seahorses are attributed miraculous powers against impotence.
An obsolete practice that joins many others. We remember the moon bears milked for their bile which is believed to help reduce inflammation, expel toxins, improve symptoms of conjunctivitis and hepatitis and cure headaches or tiger bones that are ground and used. to treat arthritis and other common ailments, as well as impotence.
Again the rhino horns which are believed to cure fevers, convulsions and hallucinations, the pangolin which can improve kidney function, treat asthma and improve the signs of psoriasis, just to name a few examples.
In short, useless and unsustainable traditions that do nothing but undermine the natural system already severely tested by climate change and habitat loss.
Read also:
- Tiger Bone Wine: Felines raised on Chinese "farms" to produce aphrodisiac bottles
- 5 products of animal origin that do not cure at all
- Animal abuse: 10 horrific practices China should abolish
Dominella Trunfio
