Deer Velvet
Overview
Deer velvet (鹿茸), also known as "Longan Pearl" (斑龙珠), is a traditional Chinese medicine derived from the antlers of deer before they fully ossify. Its Latin name is Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum. This medicinal substance has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for centuries, valued for its various therapeutic properties. The primary production regions for deer velvet in China include Jilin, Liaoning, Heilongjiang, and Xinjiang provinces.
History
The use of deer velvet in medicine dates back thousands of years in China. It was first recorded in ancient texts such as the Shennong Ben Cao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), compiled during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE). Throughout Chinese history, deer velvet has been highly valued as a medicinal substance, particularly for treating conditions related to deficiency of kidney yang and blood. The traditional preparation methods have been preserved and refined over generations, with different processing techniques developed to enhance its therapeutic effects.
Key Information
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 鹿茸 (Lù Róng) |
| Alternative Names | 斑龙珠 (Bān Lóng Zhū) |
| Latin Name | Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum |
| Taste and Nature | Sweet and salty in taste, warm in nature (性温，味甘、咸) |
| Meridian Affinity | Kidney and Liver meridians (归肾、肝经) |
| Primary Production Areas | Jilin, Liaoning, Heilongjiang, Xinjiang |
Chemical Composition
Deer velvet contains various bioactive compounds. Its lipid-soluble components include estradiol and cholesterol, with estradiol and its metabolite estrone being the main contributors to its estrogen-like effects. The amino acid composition is rich in glycine, and it also contains neutral sugars, glucosamine, deer velvet essence, and deer velvet peptides. The ash content contains calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and the water extract contains significant amounts of collagenous substances.
Pharmacological Actions
Deer velvet exhibits hormone-like effects, particularly androgenic properties. It has been shown to regulate bone metabolism, combat fatigue, and enhance immune function. These properties contribute to its traditional uses in treating conditions related to deficiency of kidney yang and blood.
Clinical Applications
Indications
Deer velvet is primarily indicated for:
- Kidney yang deficiency and blood insufficiency
- Impotence, spermatorrhea
- Uterine cold and infertility
- Wasting and emaciation
- Fatigue, aversion to cold
- Dizziness, tinnitus, hearing loss
- Cold pain in the lower back and spine
- Weakness of muscles and bones
- Uterine bleeding and leukorrhea
- Chronic, non-healing sores
Common Formulations
- For impotence and frequent urination: Deer velvet wine soaked with Chinese yam
- For depleted essence and blood, dark complexion, tinnitus, and blurred vision: Combined with angelica and black plum paste
- For various deficiencies and weakness: Combined with ginseng, astragalus, and angelica in formulas like Shenrong Guben Wan
- For delayed fracture healing: Combined with Drynaria root, Dipsacus root, and natural copper
- For uterine bleeding and emaciation: Combined with cuttlebone, dragon's bone, and Dipsacus root in Lurong San
- For excessive leukorrhea: Combined with dogwood and white atractylodes
- For non-healing sores and carbuncles: Combined with angelica and cassia bark in Yanghe Tang
Compatibility with Other Herbs
Deer velvet is often combined with other herbs to enhance its therapeutic effects:
- Rehmannia root: Balances yin and yang deficiency
- Donkey-hide gelatin: Enhances blood-tonifying effects
- Ginseng: Tonifies both qi and blood
- Cistanche: Strengthens yang and essence
- Chinese yam: Tonifies spleen and kidney
- Dogwood: Strengthens liver and kidney
- Angelica: Nourishes blood and regulates menstruation
- Astragalus: Tonifies qi
- Cassia bark: Warms yang and disperses cold
Processing Methods
Harvesting and Preparation
Deer velvet is harvested during summer and autumn when the new antlers of male deer have not yet ossified. The antlers are either sawn off or cut with a knife, then singed to remove hair, sliced, and dried in shade or by drying for medicinal use.
Processing Techniques
- Plain deer velvet: The raw material is singed to remove hair, scraped clean, wrapped in cloth, and repeatedly soaked with hot baijiu until fully penetrated, then slightly steamed, sliced thinly, pressed flat, and dried.
- Deer velvet powder: The raw material is singed to remove hair, scraped, broken into pieces, and ground into fine powder.
- Milk-processed deer velvet: Clean deer velvet is steamed until thoroughly cooked, sliced, then dipped in milk with tongs and roasted over a smokeless fire until the milk is exhausted and turns yellow, then dried.
- Wine-processed deer velvet: Deer velvet slices are heated over a gentle flame, quenched in baijiu, heated again, and repeated 3-4 times until the baijiu is fully absorbed, appearing grayish-yellow with small bubbles and a crispy texture.
Cultural Significance
In traditional Chinese culture, deer velvet has been highly valued not only for its medicinal properties but also as a symbol of vitality and longevity. The deer itself is considered a noble creature in Chinese tradition, associated with longevity and prosperity. Deer velvet was historically reserved for emperors and nobility due to its rarity and purported health benefits. In modern times, it continues to be a significant component of traditional medicine and is also used in health supplements and tonics.
Modern Status
Today, deer velvet remains an important component of Traditional Chinese Medicine and has gained attention in complementary and alternative medicine worldwide. Research has been conducted to validate its traditional uses and explore potential new applications. Modern extraction techniques have been developed to concentrate its bioactive compounds. However, conservation concerns have arisen due to the harvesting methods, leading to increased regulation and the development of sustainable harvesting practices and artificial cultivation. Deer velvet products are now available in various forms, including capsules, tablets, extracts, and traditional decoctions.
References
- Bensky, D., Clavey, S., & Stöger, E. (2004). Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica (3rd ed.). Eastland Press.
- Cheung, K. W. (2011). Deer Velvet: The Ancient Medicine of the New Millennium. Trafford Publishing.
- Wang, B. X., Li, S. X., & Zhang, J. T. (2005). Pharmacology and Applications of Chinese Materia Medica (Vol. 1). World Scientific Publishing Company.
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission. (2020). Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020 Edition). China Medical Science Press.
- Zhen, Y., & Wang, Y. (2018). Traditional Chinese Medicine: Materia Medica and Formulas. Academic Press.