- Shark liver oil
Shark liver oil is obtained from
shark s that are caught for food purposes and are living in cold, deepocean s. The liver oil from sharks has been used by fishermen for centuries as a folk remedy for general health. It is purportedly useful for healingwound s,sore s,irritation s of therespiratory tract and thealimentary canal and forlymph node swelling.Fact|date=October 2008 It is one of the active ingredients in hemorrhoid creams such asPreparation H .Shark liver oil is rich in
alkylglycerol s, which are naturally found in mother's milk and inbone marrow .Fact|date=October 2008 It also containspristane ,squalene , vitamins A, D,omega-3 fatty acid s,triglyceride s,glycerol ether s, andfatty alcohol s.Fact|date=October 2008Shark oil barometers
Bermudians rely on unique shark-oil based "barometers" to predict storms and other severe weather, even though electronic meteorological facilities are available. [ [http://www.bermuda-online.org/traditions.htm Bermuda Traditions & Their Sources] ] Long ago local St. David's Islanders cooked a shark in its own liver oil. After being melted down in the hot sun, it was poured into a soda (carbonated beverage) bottle and hung outside. The appearance of the oil altered consistently with changes in the weather. From that time on, bottles of shark oil began appearing on walls or terraces.
Local practitioners of the art today say that a reliable way of prediccting the weather is to hang one of these bottles outdoors, then read how the shark oil settles or remains cloudy. Some old timers still check shark oil before going into deep waters. There are dozens of theories regarding why shark oil changes with the climate and whether it is an effective means of reading barometric pressure. The theory that carries the most weight is that electrical changes in the atmosphere affect the shark's liver and alert the shark to move out to deeper water before a bad storm. The oil retains this function when removed and the change is visible; the oil switches from a clear golden color like cooking oil to a milky white.
References
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