Natural Herb Library

Fish Liver Oil

Chinese
鱼肝油
Pinyin
Yu Gan You
Latin
Oleum Fecoris Piscis
Scientific specimen plate of Fish Liver Oil, Oleum Fecoris Piscis, showing pale golden oil, droplets, emulsified preparation, and diagnostic source details.
Botanical plate by Kodi .

Known in TCM as Yu Gan You (鱼肝油), this sweet and salty, neutral herb enters the Liver and Kidney. Traditionally, it supports bones, growth, and constitutional weakness - in modern integrative practice, fish liver oil is used as a nutrient-dense tonic for vitamin A and D support rather than as a classical decoction herb, most often applied for osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and respiratory infections. Modern research has identified Vitamin among its active constituents.

Part used: Oil

Also Known As

Fecoris

Latin: Oleum Fecoris Piscis | Pinyin: Yu Gan You | Chinese: 鱼肝油

TCM Properties

Taste
sweet, salty
Temperature
neutral
Channels
Liver, Kidney

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Supports bones, growth, and constitutional weakness - in modern integrative practice, fish liver oil is used as a nutrient-dense tonic for vitamin A and D support rather than as a classical decoction herb.
  • Nourishes the Liver and benefits tissues linked to vision and vitality - this is a modern TCM-style interpretation based on nutrient restoration rather than a canonical early-text herbology entry.
  • May support winter resilience and chronic inflammatory states - cod-liver-oil traditions overlap with seasonal, immune, and joint-support use in modern nutritional medicine.

Secondary Actions

  • Fish liver oil is not a classical Chinese materia medica staple; its current use belongs more to modern nutritional and integrative practice than to old decoction traditions.
  • Cod liver oil differs from ordinary fish oil because it contains substantial vitamin A and vitamin D in addition to omega-3 fatty acids, which changes both its benefits and its risks.

Classic Formulas

  • No major canonical Shang Han Lun or Jin Gui Yao Lue formula includes fish liver oil as a standard crude herb.
  • Modern use is usually as a nutritional oil, capsule, or emulsion rather than as a classical formula ingredient.
  • Its closest TCM interpretation is restorative nourishment for deficiency rather than pathogen-focused treatment.

Classical References

  • IMPORT NOTE: Yu Gan You is a modern nutritional entry rather than a core classical TCM herb.
  • Its TCM-style properties are inferred from nutritive, Liver-Kidney, and essence-support interpretations rather than from a fixed ancient monograph.
  • Because it is a vitamin-bearing oil, dose and product standardization matter far more than with ordinary food fish intake.

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Vitamin A (retinol) - a defining nutrient and key safety concern in high doses
  • Vitamin D - central to cod liver oil's bone and deficiency-support profile
  • Omega-3 fatty acids including EPA and DHA - relevant to inflammatory and joint research
  • Minor lipid fractions and fat-soluble cofactors - supportive components that vary by product and processing

Studied Effects

  • A review discussed cod liver oil use in young children and upper respiratory tract infections, reflecting its longstanding role as a winter nutritional supplement, although disease-prevention claims remain formulation- and context-dependent (PMID 21677119).
  • Broad omega-3 evidence, though not exclusive to cod liver oil, supports adjunctive benefit in recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis and helps explain why fish liver oil has been used for inflammatory joint support (PMID 24081439).
  • Cod liver oil remains a practical vitamin D source in deficiency-prone settings, but the same products also carry vitamin A exposure that requires dose awareness (PMID 18417354).
  • Vitamin A excess is a real toxicity concern, which is especially relevant because fish liver oil can be taken daily and combined unintentionally with other fortified supplements (PMID 31643494).

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Pregnancy if retinol dose is not carefully controlled
  • Existing hypervitaminosis A or vitamin A-sensitive liver disease
  • Use of multiple vitamin A or vitamin D supplements without dose review
  • Fish allergy or sensitivity to the specific product source

Cautions

  • Fish liver oil is not the same as ordinary fish oil because vitamin A toxicity becomes a central concern at higher or repeated doses.
  • Products vary widely in retinol, vitamin D, and omega-3 content, so brand-to-brand substitution is not trivial.
  • MSK page not found - drug interaction data not available from Memorial Sloan Kettering integrative medicine database

Drug Interactions

  • Retinoid medications or additional vitamin A supplements - additive toxicity risk
  • Anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs - theoretical additive bleeding risk from omega-3 fractions
  • High-dose vitamin D supplements - possible additive hypercalcemia risk depending on product content

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fish Liver Oil used for?

Fish Liver Oil is traditionally used to Supports bones, growth, and constitutional weakness - in modern integrative practice, fish liver oil is used as a nutrient-dense tonic for vitamin A and D support rather than as a classical decoction herb., Nourishes the Liver and benefits tissues linked to vision and vitality - this is a modern TCM-style interpretation based on nutrient restoration rather than a canonical early-text herbology entry., May support winter resilience and chronic inflammatory states - cod-liver-oil traditions overlap with seasonal, immune, and joint-support use in modern nutritional medicine.. Research has investigated its effects on: A review discussed cod liver oil use in young children and upper respiratory tract infections, reflecting its longstanding role as a winter nutritional supplement, although disease-prevention claims remain formulation- and context-dependent (PMID 21677119).; Broad omega-3 evidence, though not exclusive to cod liver oil, supports adjunctive benefit in recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis and helps explain why fish liver oil has been used for inflammatory joint support (PMID 24081439)..

What are other names for Fish Liver Oil?

Fish Liver Oil is also known as Fecoris. In TCM: 鱼肝油 (Yu Gan You); Oleum Fecoris Piscis.

Is Fish Liver Oil safe during pregnancy?

Fish Liver Oil is not recommended during pregnancy.

What are the contraindications for Fish Liver Oil?

Fish Liver Oil should not be used in: Pregnancy if retinol dose is not carefully controlled; Existing hypervitaminosis A or vitamin A-sensitive liver disease; Use of multiple vitamin A or vitamin D supplements without dose review; Fish allergy or sensitivity to the specific product source. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.

Does Fish Liver Oil interact with any medications?

Fish Liver Oil may interact with: Retinoid medications or additional vitamin A supplements - additive toxicity risk; Anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs - theoretical additive bleeding risk from omega-3 fractions; High-dose vitamin D supplements - possible additive hypercalcemia risk depending on product content. Always inform your healthcare provider of any herbal supplements you are taking.