甘微咸温无毒。河南者味甘温为上,泊上者味咸辛为下。又生取成对者力胜,
解下单角力薄。凡角大而毛色淡白者即为麋角,能补阳中之阴。熬胶法,取角寸截,用长流
水浸三日,刮净,入黄蜡煮三日夜,干即添水,三日夜足,去角取汁,重煎,滴水不化,胶
成切片,阴干,不可日晒,晒则融化成水矣。今市者多以黄明胶加楮实伪充,不可不察。取
嫩角寸截置小坛中,酒水相和,盆盖泥封,糠火煨三伏时,捣细如霜,名鹿角霜。
《本经》主伤中劳绝,腰痛羸瘦,补中益气力,妇人血闭,无子,止痛安胎,久服轻身
延年。
发明 鹿角生用则散热行血,消肿辟邪。熬胶则益阳补肾,强精活血。总不出通督脉补
命门之用。但胶力稍缓,不能如茸之力峻耳。互参二条经旨乃知茸有交通阳维之功,胶有缘
合冲任之用。然非助桂以通其阳,不能除寒热惊痫。非龟鹿二胶并用,不能达任而治羸瘦、
腰痛。非辅当归、地黄,不能引入冲脉而治妇人血闭、胎漏。至若胶治伤中绝劳,即茸主漏
下恶血也。胶之补中益气力,即茸之益气强志也。胶之轻身延年,即茸之生齿不老也。历考
《别录》、《外台》、《千金》等方,散血解毒居多,非如近世专一温补为务,殊失圣贤一
脉相传之义。鹿角霜治火不生土,脾胃虚寒,食少便溏,胃反呕逆之疾,取温中而不粘滞
也。古方多制应用。今人每以煎过胶者代充,其胶既去服之何益。生角镑尖屑,消乳痈肿毒
。灰行崩中积血。鹿骨安胎下气,作酒主内虚,续绝伤,补骨除风,《千金》鹿骨丹用之
。
Sweet in taste, slightly salty and warm in nature, non-toxic. Deer antler glue from Henan is of superior grade when it tastes sweet and is warm; that from Boshang is of inferior grade when it tastes salty and acrid. Furthermore, fresh deer antlers used in pairs produce glue with stronger efficacy, whereas single antlers yield glue with weaker efficacy. Antlers that are large and associated with pale white hair belong to the elk (Elk Antler), which can tonify Yin within Yang.
The method for decocting deer antler glue is as follows: Cut the antlers into one-cun segments, soak them in flowing water for three days, scrape clean, then boil with yellow beeswax for three days and nights. If the water evaporates, replenish it. After three days and nights are complete, remove the antlers and collect the juice. Decoct again until a drop solidifies upon contact with cold water, indicating the glue is formed. Slice the glue and dry it in the shade; do not expose it to sunlight, or it will melt into liquid. Currently, the market often substitutes Huangming Jiao (Ox Hide Glue) mixed with Broussonetia papyrifera fruit powder to fake it; this must be carefully examined.
To make Deer Antler Frost (Lujiao Shuang), take tender antlers cut into one-cun segments, place them in a small jar, mix wine and water, cover with a basin, seal with mud, and simmer over chaff fire until the end of the Sanfu period. Then pound finely into a frost-like powder.
*Shennong Bencao Jing* states that it treats internal injury and exhaustion, lower back pain, emaciation, tonifies the middle and boosts Qi and strength, treats amenorrhea in women, infertility, relieves pain, calms the fetus, and long-term use lightens the body and prolongs life.
[Invention] When used raw, deer antler dissipates heat, promotes blood circulation, reduces swelling, and wards off evil pathogens. When decocted into glue, it benefits Yang, tonifies the Kidney, strengthens essence, and invigorates blood. Its actions generally fall under unblocking the Du Meridian and tonifying the Mingmen Gate. However, the efficacy of the glue is relatively mild and cannot match the potent action of the velvet antler. Referencing these two classic principles reveals that velvet antler has the function of connecting the Yangwei Vessel, while deer antler glue has the function of harmonizing the Chong and Ren vessels. Nevertheless, without assisting Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) to unblock Yang, one cannot eliminate chills, fever, palpitations, and epilepsy. Without combining Tortoise Shell Glue and Deer Antler Glue, one cannot reach the Ren vessel to treat emaciation and lower back pain. Without assisting Danggui (Angelica Sinensis) and Dihuang (Rehmannia Root), one cannot enter the Chong vessel to treat amenorrhea and fetal leakage in women. As for the glue treating internal injury and exhaustion, this corresponds to the velvet antler's treatment of leukorrhea with foul blood. The glue's ability to tonify the middle and boost Qi corresponds to the velvet antler's ability to boost Qi and strengthen willpower. The glue's ability to lighten the body and prolong life corresponds to the velvet antler's ability to promote tooth growth and prevent aging. A thorough examination of formulas in *Mingyi Bielu*, *Waitai Miyao*, and *Qianjin Fang* shows that deer antler was mostly used to disperse blood and detoxify, unlike modern times which focus solely on warming and tonifying, thereby losing the true meaning passed down by the sages. Deer Antler Frost treats conditions where Fire fails to generate Earth (Kidney Yang deficiency failing to warm Spleen Earth), such as Spleen-Stomach deficiency-cold, poor appetite, loose stools, and gastric regurgitation with vomiting, due to its warming properties without being cloying. Ancient formulas often prepared and applied it specifically. Modern people often substitute the residue after decocting glue, but since the active components have been removed, what benefit is there in taking it? Raw antler tips shaved into fine powder can resolve breast abscesses and toxic swellings. Ash from deer antler treats metrorrhagia with accumulated blood. Deer bone calms the fetus and directs rebellious Qi downward; taken as wine, it treats internal deficiency, heals severe injuries, tonifies bones, and expels wind. It is used in the Deer Bone Pill (*Lugu Dan*) from *Qianjin Fang*.