Tiger penis soup () is a Chinese soup prepared with

tiger penis In traditional Chinese medicine, a tiger penis (Vietnamese language, Vietnamese: ''Pín hổ''; ) is said to have important therapeutic properties. However, there is no scientific proof that tiger penis (or any other animal phallus) can be used t ...

. It is typically an expensive dish, due to the rarity of tiger penis. In some cultures and countries, people believe that this dish can treat male

sexual dysfunction Sexual dysfunction is difficulty experienced by an individual or partners during any stage of normal sexual activity, including physical pleasure, desire, preference, arousal, or orgasm. The World Health Organization defines sexual dysfunction ...

—a notion that has not been supported by scientific evidences. There has been opposition to the dish from environmental organizations, and ongoing consumption of the soup has contributed to the decline of tiger populations. The legality of the dish varies in different countries, as tigers are a

protected species An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching, invasiv ...

. Some shops in China and Hong Kong may sell deer or cattle parts while claiming that they are tiger penis.

Overview

Preparation involves soaking dried tiger penis in water and then cooking it along with other medicines and spices. Sometimes tiger bone is also included in the soup's preparation. Prices are expensive due to the rarity of tiger penis. Tiger penis soup has been sold for US$300 a bowl in China and other places in the

Orient The Orient is a term referring to the East in relation to Europe, traditionally comprising anything belonging to the Eastern world. It is the antonym of the term ''Occident'', which refers to the Western world. In English, it is largely a meto ...

, and can cost as much as US$400. In 1998 in Southeast Asian and East Asian markets, the soup sold for US$350 per bowl. Chris Coggins reported in 2002 that the dish was available and had been consumed in various

Chinatown Chinatown ( zh, t=唐人街) is the catch-all name for an ethnic enclave of Chinese people located outside Greater China, most often in an urban setting. Areas known as "Chinatown" exist throughout the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, O ...

Medicinal beliefs

Some people and cultures in Asia believe that tiger penis soup acts as a medicinal

aphrodisiac An aphrodisiac is a substance that increases libido, sexual desire, sexual attraction, sexual pleasure, or sexual behavior. These substances range from a variety of plants, spices, and foods to synthetic chemicals. Natural aphrodisiacs, such as ...

, can improve one's sexual performance or virility, or cure

impotence Erectile dysfunction (ED), also referred to as impotence, is a form of sexual dysfunction in males characterized by the persistent or recurring inability to achieve or maintain a Human penis, penile erection with sufficient rigidity and durat ...

. However, consumption of cooked animal genitalia does not increase

testosterone Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone and androgen in Male, males. In humans, testosterone plays a key role in the development of Male reproductive system, male reproductive tissues such as testicles and prostate, as well as promoting se ...

levels in humans. Furthermore, there is no empirical evidence of tiger penis being correlated with sexual enhancement in humans. It has been stated that men may be fooled into thinking their sexual prowess is increased by consuming tiger penis soup due to the

placebo effect A placebo ( ) can be roughly defined as a sham medical treatment. Common placebos include inert tablets (like sugar pills), inert injections (like saline), sham surgery, and other procedures. Placebos are used in randomized clinical trials ...

, in which the placebo effect acts to counteract mild impotence, rather than the soup.

Legality

Tigers are an

endangered An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching, inv ...

. It is illegal in some countries to consume tiger, and it has been stated that consumption of tiger is unethical due to the animal's endangered status.

Opposition

In 1996, the

Wildlife Conservation Society The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a global 501(c)(3) organization, 501(c)(3) non-governmental organization, headquartered at the Bronx Zoo in New York City, with a mission to save "wildlife and wild places across the globe". Founded in ...

, an organization that focuses upon

wildlife conservation Wildlife conservation refers to the practice of protecting wild species and their habitats in order to maintain healthy wildlife species or populations and to restore, protect or enhance natural ecosystems. Major threats to wildlife include habita ...

, ran an international

advertising campaign An advertising campaign or marketing campaign is a series of advertisement messages that share a single idea and theme which make up an integrated marketing communication (IMC). An IMC is a platform in which a group of people can group their ide ...

stating that claims of sexual potency being enhanced from consuming tiger penis soup are fraudulent. It has been stated that beliefs of tiger penis soup contributing to sexual enhancement has contributed to the endangerment of tiger populations, because of tiger

poaching Poaching is the illegal hunting or capturing of wild animals, usually associated with land use rights. Poaching was once performed by impoverished peasants for subsistence purposes and to supplement meager diets. It was set against the huntin ...

that occurs due to the high prices penises and other animal parts can command. Additionally, a high demand for tiger penis soup has significantly contributed to reductions in tiger populations.

References

{{reflist, refs= Extreme Cuisine: The Weird & Wonderful Foods that People Eat – Jerry Hopkins
p. 97. Listverse. Com's Ultimate Book of Bizarre Lists – Jamie Frater
p. 207. {{cite web , url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/china/130813/breast-milk-tiger-penis-rich-vices , title=What China wants: Breast milk and tiger penis , publisher=

GlobalPost GlobalPost Media Corporation is an American digital journalism company and former news website that focuses on international news. Founded on January 12, 2009 by Philip S. Balboni and Charles M. Sennott, its stated mission is "to redefine int ...

, date=20 August 2013 , accessdate=31 January 2014 , author=Carlson, Benjamin In Search of the Rain Forest
p. 198. Wars, Women and Other Wonders: Arguments From A Latter Day Visigoth – Philip Rushlow
/ref> A Doctor's Vietnam Journal – Carl E. Bartecchi
p. 90. The Tiger and the Pangolin: Nature, Culture, and Conservation in China – Chris Coggins
p. 70. Exploring the Dimensions of Human Sexuality – Jerrold S. Greenberg, Clint E. Bruess, Sara B. Oswalt
p. 171. The Rise of Viagra: How the Little Blue Pill Changed Sex in America – Meika Loe
p. 44.

External links

Aphrodisiacs and the Myth of Tiger Penis Magical Cures
Tigerhomes.org. Chinese soups Chinese meat dishes Mammal penis Traditional Chinese medicine Tigers in popular culture