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Velvet Deer Horn, Lu Rong 鹿茸
Harts Horn, Velvet horn
Lu Rong (TCM)
Lu Rong (TCM)
Dioscorides Materia Medica, Mathias, 1563
Ortus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491
A vendor selling whole and sliced Deer horn of various grades. (Chengdu, 2009)
Whole Velvet Deer horn (Chengdu 2009)
Velvet Deer Horn slices; note the purplish colored marrow in the center
indicating young horn that was stilling growing when cut.
indicating young horn that was stilling growing when cut.
Commercial Deer Horn gelatin (Lu Jiao Jiao) from 2 different manufacturers in China.
Zoological name:
Cervus spp.
A number of Deer species have been used, the main sources in TCM are:
1. C. nippon (Sika Deer)
2. C. elaphus (Red Deer)
Parts used:
Young Velvet Deer Horn
Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Sweet, Salty
Classification:
N. Yang Tonic
Cervus spp.
A number of Deer species have been used, the main sources in TCM are:
1. C. nippon (Sika Deer)
2. C. elaphus (Red Deer)
Parts used:
Young Velvet Deer Horn
Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Sweet, Salty
Classification:
N. Yang Tonic
Uses:
1. Warms and Tonifies the Kidney Yang, Benefits Vitality:
-debilitating and chronic conditions with Weakness of the Kidneys.
-Assists the growth of permanent teeth.
-Aphrodisiac for the male; spermatorrhea, impotence, poor sex drive
-tonic to the Bone, Marrow, Blood and Essence, strengthening the muscles and cartilage.
-chronic arthritis, backache, osteomyelitis, skeletal deformities, poor skeletal development;
-deafness, poor vision, vertigo;
-frequent, copious, clear urine;
-slow or retarded physical or mental development in children, learning difficulties, rickets etc. (TCM, West)
2. Benefits the Blood and Essence:
-debility, old age disorders etc.
-Consumption and similar conditions of debility in the West
-Tonifies the Yang, Blood, and Essence, while benefitting the Qi and Yin; it is therefore useful in all cases of Debility.
3. Resists Poison, Promotes Sweat. (West)
4. Warms and Strengthens the Uterus:
-leukorrhea, uterine bleeding, menorrhagia from a Cold and weak uterus.
DOSE:
Velvet Deer Horn: 1–2 grams in powder
NOTE:
1. All the forms of Deer horn have an effect of strengthening the Kidneys, restoring Yang and benefiting Bones and Joints.
2. The best tonic is Velvet Deer horn, harvested while still growing, and therefore contains Blood, marrow and growth factors. It strengthens Yang and Qi, nourishes Yin, Blood and Essence. It is a sex tonic and restores degenerated Bones and Joints.
3. Ossified (Mature) Deer Horn, shed by the Deer naturally is weaker to strengthen the Kidneys and Yang, but stronger to move the Blood, and also strengthens Bones and may be use for toxic sores and swellings.
4. Burnt Deer horn (most used in the West and Ayurveda) also strengthens the Kidneys and Yang, although weaker than Velvet Deer horn. It was highly regarded as a medicine to Resist Poison, and is used in Antidotes. In Ayurveda it is also used for Cough, Bronchitis, Pleurisy and Pneumonia. It also stops Bleeding.
5. Deer Horn Glue more gently strengthens Yang but also nourishes Yin and Essence. Its main use is to stop Bleeding, especially Uterine bleeding associated with Kidney weakness and Blood deficiency.
SUBSTITUTE:
1. Mature Deer horn is a cheaper substitute for the expensive Velvet Deer Horn. While it is not nearly as strong, it is still useful for Kidney Yang deficiency with lower back pain etc, and is considered stronger to reduce swelling and promote Blood circulation.
Velvet Deer Horn: 1–2 grams in powder
NOTE:
1. All the forms of Deer horn have an effect of strengthening the Kidneys, restoring Yang and benefiting Bones and Joints.
2. The best tonic is Velvet Deer horn, harvested while still growing, and therefore contains Blood, marrow and growth factors. It strengthens Yang and Qi, nourishes Yin, Blood and Essence. It is a sex tonic and restores degenerated Bones and Joints.
3. Ossified (Mature) Deer Horn, shed by the Deer naturally is weaker to strengthen the Kidneys and Yang, but stronger to move the Blood, and also strengthens Bones and may be use for toxic sores and swellings.
4. Burnt Deer horn (most used in the West and Ayurveda) also strengthens the Kidneys and Yang, although weaker than Velvet Deer horn. It was highly regarded as a medicine to Resist Poison, and is used in Antidotes. In Ayurveda it is also used for Cough, Bronchitis, Pleurisy and Pneumonia. It also stops Bleeding.
5. Deer Horn Glue more gently strengthens Yang but also nourishes Yin and Essence. Its main use is to stop Bleeding, especially Uterine bleeding associated with Kidney weakness and Blood deficiency.
SUBSTITUTE:
1. Mature Deer horn is a cheaper substitute for the expensive Velvet Deer Horn. While it is not nearly as strong, it is still useful for Kidney Yang deficiency with lower back pain etc, and is considered stronger to reduce swelling and promote Blood circulation.
Main Combinations:
1. Against Consumption, Velvet Deer Horn with Sorrel Bugloss, Sandalwood, Cinnamon (West)
2. To tonify Yin, Yang and Essence and restore Qi and Blood, Velvet Deer Horn with Tortoise plastron Gui Ban, Ginseng and Lycium Gou Qi (Goji) (as in Tortoise Shell and Deer Horn Syrup)
3. Impotence, Male Infertility:
i. Velvet Deer Horn (Lu Rong) with Chinese Yam Shan Yao, Ginseng and Epimedium Yin Yang Huo.
ii. or Male Infertility, Velvet Deer Horn (Lu Rong), Morinda Ba Ji Tian with Raspberry fruit (Fu Pen Zi), Cistanche Rou Cong Rong,
iii. Velvet Deer Horn (Lu Rong), Cynomorium Suo Yang, Ginseng, Rehmannia Shu Di Huang, Eucommia Du Zhong, Epimedium Yin Yang Huo, Dang Gui, Cinnamon, Licorice (as in Nan Bao)
Major Formulas:
Nan Bao
Cautions:
The Velvet horn is generally not used in Deficient Heat conditions.
Main Preparations used:
Decoction, Gelatin, Burnt Horn
1. Decoction of Deer horn:
i. Deer horn (2 oz.), Spring Water (4 lbs.). Boil, strain. (Pharmacopoeia extemporanea, Augustin, 1822)
ii. Deer horn (1 oz.), Water (2 pounds); boil to half, then add Simple Syrup (1 oz.), Cinnamon Water (half ounce) or Tincture of Cinnamon (half dram). Mix.
2. Acid Decoction of Deer horn:
i. Lemon sliced (5), Decoction of Deer Horn (72 oz.); boil to two0thirds, and when strained add White Sugar (4 oz.), dissolve. (Pharmacopoeia Generalis, 1783)
ii. Deer horn shavings (6 oz.), Lemons sliced (4), Spring Water (44 oz.), boil to 24 oz.; strain, add: Rose Water, Balm Water, Scordium Water (18 oz. each), Mix. (Pharmacopoeia Generalis, 1783)
3. Deer Horn Jelly (Gelatina Cornu Cervi):
i. Deer horn shavings (half pound), Water (2 pounds). Boil in a covered vessel, press strongly. Boil the residue with Water (2 pounds). Mix the liquors together, add White Sugar (4 oz.), clarify with egg white, and evaporate slowly until it gelatinises when cool. Add a little fresh Orange peel or Cinnamon, and set to cool.
ii. Many versions copied the above, but without Sugar and aromatics.
4. Amygdaline Deer Horn Jelly:
i. Deer horn jelly, still warm (8 parts), sweet Almonds, blanched and bruised (1 part), boil together, express. (Pharmacopoeia Sardoa, 1773)
ii. Deer horn jelly (3 parts), Syrup of Almonds (1 part).
iii. Deer horn shavings (8 oz.), Spring Water (100 oz.); boil slowly to a jelly, strain while hot, and make an emulsion with Sweet Almonds blanched (4 oz.); strain, add White Sugar (6 oz.) and set aside to gelatinise. (Pharmacopoeia Generalis, 1783)
iv. Deer horn jelly (8 oz.), Sweet Almonds (1 oz.), Orange flower water (1 dram), Lemon Essence (3 drops), White Sugar (half oz.), Water (4 oz.). Make an emulsion, melt the jelly, add the essence, water and sugar, and set aside to cool. (Niemann)
The Velvet horn is generally not used in Deficient Heat conditions.
Main Preparations used:
Decoction, Gelatin, Burnt Horn
1. Decoction of Deer horn:
i. Deer horn (2 oz.), Spring Water (4 lbs.). Boil, strain. (Pharmacopoeia extemporanea, Augustin, 1822)
ii. Deer horn (1 oz.), Water (2 pounds); boil to half, then add Simple Syrup (1 oz.), Cinnamon Water (half ounce) or Tincture of Cinnamon (half dram). Mix.
2. Acid Decoction of Deer horn:
i. Lemon sliced (5), Decoction of Deer Horn (72 oz.); boil to two0thirds, and when strained add White Sugar (4 oz.), dissolve. (Pharmacopoeia Generalis, 1783)
ii. Deer horn shavings (6 oz.), Lemons sliced (4), Spring Water (44 oz.), boil to 24 oz.; strain, add: Rose Water, Balm Water, Scordium Water (18 oz. each), Mix. (Pharmacopoeia Generalis, 1783)
3. Deer Horn Jelly (Gelatina Cornu Cervi):
i. Deer horn shavings (half pound), Water (2 pounds). Boil in a covered vessel, press strongly. Boil the residue with Water (2 pounds). Mix the liquors together, add White Sugar (4 oz.), clarify with egg white, and evaporate slowly until it gelatinises when cool. Add a little fresh Orange peel or Cinnamon, and set to cool.
ii. Many versions copied the above, but without Sugar and aromatics.
4. Amygdaline Deer Horn Jelly:
i. Deer horn jelly, still warm (8 parts), sweet Almonds, blanched and bruised (1 part), boil together, express. (Pharmacopoeia Sardoa, 1773)
ii. Deer horn jelly (3 parts), Syrup of Almonds (1 part).
iii. Deer horn shavings (8 oz.), Spring Water (100 oz.); boil slowly to a jelly, strain while hot, and make an emulsion with Sweet Almonds blanched (4 oz.); strain, add White Sugar (6 oz.) and set aside to gelatinise. (Pharmacopoeia Generalis, 1783)
iv. Deer horn jelly (8 oz.), Sweet Almonds (1 oz.), Orange flower water (1 dram), Lemon Essence (3 drops), White Sugar (half oz.), Water (4 oz.). Make an emulsion, melt the jelly, add the essence, water and sugar, and set aside to cool. (Niemann)