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Information:
Other
Common Names
Cervus Nippon Temminck (Sika Deer), Cervus Elaphus
Linnaeus (Red Deer) (Cervidae), and others
Page
Number In Radiant Health
125
Pharmaceutical
Latin
Cornu Cervi Pantotrichum
Pinyin
Lu Rong
Treasures
Jing (Yin and Yang), Qi (especially Blood) and Shen
Treasure
Rating
*****
Atmospheric
Energy
Warm
Taste
Sweet and salty
Organ
Meridian Systems
Liver and Kidneys. Also tonifies the Governing,
Conception, Penetrating and Belt Channels of the
Extraordinary Channels system.
Part
Used and Form
Various segments of young deer antler of the two species
described are used. Most deer are not killed in order to
obtain their antler. In fact, since the deer are so
valuable and since deer antler is essentially a
renewable "crop," deer are highly protected in
all Asian countries. They thrive under the conditions
established. The antler is cut off the live deer when
the antler has developed either two or three branches,
yet remains soft and covered by "velvet,"
usually in the month of June in China and in January in
New Zealand, another major source of high quality deer
antler.
A deer antler, as sold in a Chinese herb shop, is
divided into three divisions, tips, middles and bottoms.
That part growing closest to the end, usually the last
two inches of each branch of the antler, is called the
tip. The segment from that beginning of the tip to the
fork(s) of the antler is called the middle and the main
trunk of the antler is called the bottom. All three
segments of the deer antler are used in Chinese tonic
herbalism. The bottoms, because they are the largest
segment, are most commonly available and most widely
used in commercial products. The middles and tips are
generally only available in herb shops, except in rare
products that feature these segments.
Primary
Functions
To tonify the Kidney Qi and fortify Yang. Also tonic to
Yin Jing and Blood, and strengthening to the sinews and
bones. Benefits the heart and mind.
Qualities
Deer Antler is the most precious and the most potent of
the substances that fortify the yang energy of the
Kidney. Deer antler is widely used in Asia, and now
throughout the world, to strengthen adrenal,
reproductive and brain functions. It is universally
believed in the Orient to build sexual strength and to
increase virility and fertility. Deer antler is
available in the Asian market in a wide variety of
expensive elixirs and combinations that are essentially
claimed to be aphrodisiac. In the imminently regarded
tenth century Taoist manual on health and sexual
conduct, The Essence of Medical Prescriptions, compiled
by a Chinese physician living in Japan by the name of
Tamba Yasuyori, it is said that: "There is nothing
better than deer antler to cause a man to be robust and
unaffected by age, not to tire in the bedroom, and not
to deteriorate either in energy or in facial
coloration."
Like all yang herbs, deer antler is used to strengthen
the back, knees and waste, but deer antler is considered
to be the most powerful such agent and is usually the
main herb in any formula in which it is included. It is
used to strengthen the skeletal structure in both adults
and children. It is also widely used to improve mental
power.
Deer antler is commonly used in combination with most of
the major Qi tonic herbs such as Ginseng and Astragalus,
and with all of the major Yin and Yang Jing-building
herbs such as Lycium, Morinda, Ho Shou Wu, Epimedium,
Schizandra, etc.
Although deer antler has always been used to help build
blood and improve circulation, modern research has
supported deer antler's reputation as a heart tonic.
Particularly the alcohol extract of deer antler, known
as pantocrin, is consumed for this purpose. Deer antler
is tonic to the marrow, which produces blood. Marrow
tends to degenerate as we age and deer antler is
believed to slow down or reverse this process. This is a
major aspect of deer antler's youth preserving ability.
Overall, deer antler is mainly used as a rejuvenating
agent. Short term use is believed to quickly build
strength and power, while consistent long-term use is
believed to re-build deep life force, preserve
youthfulness and to enhance longevity.
Scientific
Data
IDeer antler is a rare type of organ in the higher
animal kingdom. It is one of the few complex organ
structures which regenerates in an annual rhythm and
which will regenerate if cut or broken off. This
regenerative power is what has most intrigued scientists
in recent years, just as it has the Asian people through
the ages.
Studies conducted in Europe indicate that the ability to
regenerate is due to the rich supply of substances known
as ectosaponins. This complex chemical agent is are
found more abundantly in lower animals, in which the
ectosaponins cause a wide variety of tissue to
regenerate. The ectosaponin in deer antler is very
similar to ectosaponins found at the tail bases of many
lizards, such as the Gecko lizard, and in the legs of
star fish. Just as in the case of deer antler, if the
tale is broken off a Gecko or similar lizard or the legs
broken off a starfish, these appendages re-grow---bone,
nerves blood vessels, flesh and all. The ectosaponins
extracted from deer antler, as well as from Gecko and
star fish all have shown remarkable regenerative effects
on all types of tissue, including nerve tissue, which
generally does not regenerate significantly. For
example, experiments have been done by administering
these ectosaponins (as pantocrin) to frogs and mice
whose limbs have been amputated, resulting in imperfect,
but impressive, re-growth of the limb including the paws
and toes.
Research indicates that moderate doses of pantocrin
(primarily the alcohol extract of deer antler) benefit
cardiovascular function by helping to regulate heart
rhythm and by raising blood pressure and circulation in
people with chronic poor circulation.
Numerous studies done in China, Japan and Korea have
shown that pantocrin increases work capacity, decreases
muscular and mental fatigue, improves sleep and improves
appetite. Deer antler has been shown to increase the
oxygen uptake of the brain, liver and kidneys in
laboratory animals. It also significantly increased red
and white blood cell production in laboratory animals,
with the effects increasing as dose was increased.
Preparation
and Utilization
Deer Antler can be boiled or even consumed as raw ground
powder. A half an ounce, or even a full ounce, in a half
gallon of water, brewed with various tonic herbs that
suit your constitution, current health condition and
needs, is an excellent idea several times a year, if not
more often. Mix with Ginseng, Rehmannia, Cordyceps,
Reishi, etc. Make it the King herb, or at least the
co-king with Ginseng or Reishi.
You can also extract deer antler in alcohol. Put several
ounces of Deer Antler into a half gallon of 40% or
stronger alcohol, along with other tonic herbs and allow
to extract for six weeks or longer. You may drink one
ounce a night as a superb tonic.
Primary
Combinations
Antler may be used alone, but is most commonly combined
with other tonic herbs. Combine with:
1. Ginseng and Astragalus Root to tonify primal energy
2. Morinda, Eucommia, Drynaria, Cuscuta, and Dipsacus to
tonify the Kidney and strengthen the skeleton
3. Cordyceps, Gecko, Ant and Placenta to tonify the
primal qi and Kidney yin and Yang
4. Tortoise Plastrum to tonify Kidney essence
5. Lycium and Dang Gui to build blood and Kidney and
Liver yin
Varieties
and Grading
Selecting high quality deer antler is an art. There are
many grades, cuts and qualities---and their are some
counterfeits. The antler plays a major part in male
sexual role of the male deer. Larger antlers are
produced by deer who are more sexual and this deer
antler is more potent. However, size alone will tell you
little about the quality of a selection of deer antler.
Deer antler is available in a very wide range of
presentations. Most deer antler is sold in Chinese herb
shops sliced into thin wafer-thick pieces for easy
cooking, extraction or grinding. This practice is risky
to the consumer who does not know much about deer antler
because it is difficult to know exactly what you are
getting unless you have either developed an acute eye
for deer antler or you trust the herbalist selling the
antler. However, once you learn how to buy deer antler,
this is the only way to buy it. It is far better to
purchase specific varieties and sections of antler than
to buy an entire antler.
Deer Antler can have a number of origins. Deer Antler
entering the American market may originate in China,
Russia, Mongolia, Alaska or New Zealand. All of these
places have robust Deer Antler businesses. They all
produce excellent deer; however, the quality may differ
depending on the processing and the variety of deer.
Three types of deer are commonly used: Sika (spotted),
Red and Mallow. Each type has its major supporters.
However, generally, Sika and Mallow are considered more
effective than Red deer. Sika deer is the traditional
deer used in Chinese herbalism. It is the common wild
deer of the northeast of China often painted in
longevity paintings. Mallow deer is also often painted
in Chinese longevity art. It is often painted with a
Ganoderma mushroom in its mouth. This is because the
Mallow deer enjoys eating Ganoderma (and Panax Ginseng).
Because it consumes Ganoderma and Ginseng, many people
consider Mallow deer to be the best source of Deer
Antler. Red deer antler is now abundant because Red deer
are grown in abundance just for that purpose in New
Zealand. Red deer antler is very good, probably as good
as the others. In addition to these three true deer
antlers, Elk antler and even moose antler are also
available and some people swear by them. Raindeer from
Alaska and Siberia is also now becoming popular.
The tips are by far the most precious and most expensive
part of the deer antler. Tips (sometimes called
"tops") are smaller in diameter than middles
or bottoms. Therefore it is common for neophytes to
think that they are getting a better deal by buying
middles, which present as larger pieces at a heavier
weight, and for less money. But since there is far more
active constituents in the tips than either the middles
or the bottoms, tips are really the best value. And
middles are far better than bottoms. Middles still
contain significant amounts of the active agents
associated with the benefits of deer antler. Bottoms are
not very powerful since this bottom segment has stopped
growing and contains relatively small amounts of the
active constituents that one desires when using deer
antler. True deer antler connoisseurs and tonic
herbalists almost always buy tips, or at least middles.
Leave the bottoms to those who haven't read this book.
Don't buy cheap deer antler---there is no such thing.
Bargain-basement deer antler is probably counterfeit. It
may be from a type of deer that is considered to be of
little health value, or it may not be from a deer at all
or it. Deer antler is very valuable---and expensive---so
enter the purchasing process with the attitude that you
are going to get something really good. By all means,
ask questions and above all use your intuition.
Contraindications
Not to be used during a fever.
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Deer
Antler is widely believed in the Orient to strengthen
all aspects of a person's life, and is considered to be
an ultimate primal essence (Jing) tonic. It is said to
be a warm Yang tonic, although it is also known to
contain Yin essence and is a major blood tonic. Extracts
of Deer Antler have been found to strengthen the central
nervous system and the heart. Deer Antler is believed to
strengthen the mind and to enliven the Spirit (Shen). It
is also widely used to improve mental power. Deer Antler
contains many natural minerals and other nutrients.