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Sweet in flavor, warm in nature, non-toxic. If the mouth, tail, and hooves of the deer are closed together, resembling a living deer, it is genuine. Those with pale color and slender shape are Deer Fetus (Lutai); those with dark color and plump shape are Elk Fetus (Mitai), which must not be used by mistake as it can damage true Yang Qi (Zhenyang). Additionally, the fetus of the muntjac resembles that of the deer, but its color is bright white, and its lower lip is not longer than the upper lip like that of the deer. The fetuses of other miscellaneous beasts are altogether dissimilar to the Deer Fetus. For medicinal use, select the genuine product, roast with butter until yellow, and then use.

[Invention] The nature of the deer tonifies Yang and benefits essence. It is suitable for men with deficiency of true Yuan Qi (Primordial Qi). Not only the antlers, horns, and penis, but also the fetus can be used medicinally. Quanlu Wan (Complete Deer Pill) combined with large doses of Renshen (Ginseng Root), [missing character, likely Huangqi or similar], Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig), and Fuzi (Aconite Root) greatly strengthens Yuan Yang. Since the pure Yang Qi of the fetus has not yet dispersed, it is an excellent agent for nourishing innate Tianzhen Qi (Heavenly True Qi) and benefiting Shaohuo (Ministerial Fire). However, it is particularly effective when assisted by herbs such as Renshen (Ginseng Root), [missing character], and Heche (Placenta Humanis). For those who are usually deficient in cold and have insufficiency of the Lower Yuan (Lower Primordial), adding it to Liuwei Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) makes it a key medicine for warming and tonifying Jing (Essence) and Xue (Blood). In this way, there is no risk of Yin injury caused by the acrid-hot nature of Guizhi and Fuzi. But one must beware of mistakenly using Elk Fetus, which would instead damage the Tianyuan Yang Qi (Heavenly Primordial Yang Qi).

Sweet in flavor, warm in nature, non-toxic. Processing methods are the same as for Deer Antler Velvet (Lurong).

[Invention] Elk meat is very cold in nature; consuming it causes impotence in men. However, Elk Antler Velvet (Mirong) greatly benefits the Yang pathway because its Yang essence gathers in the horns. The glue made from boiling Elk Horns surpasses that of Deer Horns, and the velvet surpasses Deer Antler Velvet. Nevertheless, Deer antlers and horns tonify Yang and are suitable for those with insufficiency of Jing and Qi in the Right Kidney. Elk antlers and horns tonify Yin and are suitable for those with insufficiency of Blood in the Left Kidney. This is a subtle principle known since ancient times. Erzhi Wan (Two Solstices Pill) treats deficiency injuries by using both horns, but its medicinal nature is too warm and biased towards tonifying Yang, making it unsuitable for those with Yin deficiency. The main indications for Elk Glue (Mijiao) are no different from Deer Glue (Lujiao), but its ability to tonify Yin and Blood exceeds that of Deer Glue. One can verify it by checking if the horns are large and the hair is white. Unfortunately, Benjing (Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica) only mentions that Elk Fat (Mizhi) treats carbuncles, malignant sores, necrotic tissue, cold-damp bi-syndrome, flaccidity and paralysis of the four limbs, swelling of the head and face, and opens the couli (pores); it never mentions the use of Elk Antler Velvet or Horns. Peng Zu's Yanling Fang (Prescriptions for Longevity) contains Elk Horn Powder, and Qianjin Fang changed it into Elk Horn Pills. Because elk enjoy eating Acorus tatarinowii (Changpu), they are used in cultivation and dietary regimens. Jin Gui Yao Lue states that if pregnant women consume Elk Fat and plum seeds, their children may suffer from Qingmang (blindness), and men may suffer from Jing injury. These are all verifications that cold-natured substances injure the Jueyin Liver Meridian.