Why Do Chinese Use Seahorses?

Seahorses, a syngnathidae fish, are one of the important candidate organisms which have been used in Chinese traditional medicine from time immemorial. It is believed that seahorses have the potential to cure infertility, baldness, asthma and arthritis.

What do the Chinese use dried seahorses for?

Mixed with herbs and boiled as a tea, dried seahorses are most commonly used to treat asthma and male sexual dysfunction, including impotence and premature ejaculation, he said.

What is Chinese seahorse?

They are actually a type of fish, with a long, curling tail, a spiny body, a crowned head, and a protruding snout that resembles a horse. The entire sea horse is used as a medicinal. The sea horses are caught, then dried in the sun before use. The larger the sea horse, the more potent it is believed to be.

What medicine is made from seahorses?

A Cathepsin-derived peptide from the seahorse species of Hippocampus kuda proved to be effective in chondrocyte cells and its associated impaired arthritis inflammation. Apart from this, seahorses have a putative free radical scavenging effect in controlling the ageing process.

What is special about seahorses?

Due to their unique anatomical shape and lack of scales, many people may not consider seahorses ‘fish’ at first, but they are indeed! Possessing swim bladders to remain buoyant in the water and utilizing gills to breathe, these fish also thrive in a strong suit of sturdy armor-like plates.

Why are seahorses valuable?

Seahorses, a syngnathidae fish, are one of the important candidate organisms which have been used in Chinese traditional medicine from time immemorial. It is believed that seahorses have the potential to cure infertility, baldness, asthma and arthritis.

Is giving birth painful for seahorses?

Just when you thought you’ve seen/heard it all, a video clip of a male white seahorse having babies emerges on the Internet. Yes, a male giving birth—painful contractions and all. Turns out, when it comes to seahorses, males are actually the ones that become pregnant and carry the babies.

What does seahorse symbolize?

Strength, persistence, and peace
Once seahorses wrap their tail around something, they will hardly give up. That’s why seahorses are a great symbol of persistence and patience. Seahorses remind us of the importance of a support system or someone to rely on when the “waves” get too rough.

What does a seahorse necklace symbolize?

The seahorse symbolizes strength. The seahorse also means good luck and protection especially when given to sailors or individuals who makes a living by working aboard ships and sea ferries. They also signify calmness and contentment. Seahorses also mean friendliness and gentleness.

What powers do seahorses have?

Special structures in their skin cells, called chromatophores, give seahorses the ability to change color. Seahorses use camouflage, the ability to blend into their surroundings, when they are escaping from predators and when they are sneaking up on prey of their own.

Can humans touch seahorses?

Do not chase, disturb or touch seahorses. Seahorses are a protected species and it is an offence to disturb them. It is an exciting experience to see one but it is best for you and the seahorse to keep your distance and calmly observe. If the seahorse swims away, do not pursue it.

Is seahorse illegal?

All seahorse species found in India are protected under Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 making their sale, purchase, or any other form of utilization of the species, or their parts and derivatives, illegal and punishable under the law.

Is sea horse same as sea Dragon?

Seadragons are often more colorful than seahorses with bright yellows, purples, blues and reds on their body and appendages. Both seahorses and seadragons have a horse-like head and neck and long tube-like snouts. Seadragons have small leaf-like appendages on their bodies.

What’s the lifespan of a seahorse?

Lifespan: The lifespans of wild seahorses are unknown due to a lack of data. In captivity, lifespans for seahorse species range from about one year in the smallest species to three to five years in the larger species.

What are 3 facts about seahorses?

10 Fun Facts About Seahorses

• Seahorses are a type of fish.
• The smallest seahorse is just 14mm long.
• Male seahorses carry the eggs during reproduction.
• Seahorses like long-term relationships.
• Seahorses are terrible swimmers, but they love to catch a free ride.
• Seahorses don’t have stomachs, but they have big appetites.

Do seahorses feel love?

Seahorses find a companion that they’ll stay with for life. According to National Geographic, “Unlike most other fish, they are monogamous (meaning they only mate with one other seahorse for their entire lives) and mate for life”.

How are seahorses important to humans?

Although they are not used for human food, seahorses have significant commercial value around the world [3]. These iconic fishes are exploited by extractive activities such as fishing (intentional and incidental) for ornamental trade [4] and for dried trade used in traditional medicine in Asian countries [5–7].

Is dried seahorses illegal?

Seahorses are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, which means they can only be imported or exported with legal paperwork.

How many seahorses are killed each year?

Almost 40 million seahorses die every year, often ending up in a huge global trade.

How many seahorse babies actually survive?

Large litters are necessary because only about 0.5 percent will survive to adulthood. Many, if not all, of the 47 known seahorse species—14 of which were identified only in the 21st century—are in decline worldwide.

How many babies can a seahorse have?

Male Contractions
The male seahorse has a pouch on its stomach in which to carry babies—as many as 2,000 at a time. A pregnancy lasts from 10 to 25 days, depending on the species. The reproductive process begins when a male and a female seahorse do daily pre-dawn dances, intertwining their tails and swimming together.