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Salty, warm. When used raw, it dissipates heat and promotes blood circulation to reduce swelling. (Grind with vinegar and apply to swollen sores, or take as powder with wine to treat traumatic injuries. Physician Yu said: For sores that are red, swollen, and painful, if cold medicines fail to heal them after a long time, warm medicines such as Cervi Cornu Cinis [burned deer horn], Capillus Cinis [burned hair], and Olibanum [frankincense] should be used instead. This reflects the principle of the alternation of yin-yang and cold-heat. It expels evil pathogens. Treats nocturnal emissions involving sexual intercourse with spirits.) After being boiled into paste or refined into frost, it is specifically used for nourishment. It benefits the kidneys, generates essence and blood, strengthens bones, and fortifies the waist and knees. (The *Bitan* records: Among all creatures containing blood, blood grows easiest, tendons next, and bones hardest. Thus, human marrow only solidifies at age twenty. Deer antlers grow to over twenty branches in less than two months; no bone grows faster than this, nor do plants. The head is the convergence point of all yang meridians, and essence concentrates in the velvet antlers; how can they be compared to ordinary blood? Li Shizhen said: The deer is an immortal beast, purely yang and long-lived, capable of connecting the Du Mai [Governing Vessel]. It eats fine grass, so its antlers and meat are beneficial when consumed. The deer is also known as Banlong [Spotted Dragon]. Taoist priests in Western Sichuan often sold Banlong Wan [Spotted Dragon Pill]. A song goes: "If the tail gate cannot stop the exhaustion of the blue sea, the pearl turned nine times on the top of the head can supplement the acupoints below the Jade Hall." This likely refers to the use of Cervi Cornus Colla [deer horn glue] and Cervi Cornus Frost [deer horn frost].) Lu Luan [Deer Semen] is the essence produced during deer mating. Collected by specific methods. It greatly tonifies deficiency and emaciation. Cervi Tendo [deer tendon] treats damage from overexertion and reconnects severed tissues. Cervi Cor [deer meat] is sweet and warm, tonifies the middle jiao, strengthens the five zang organs, unblocks vessels, and boosts qi and strength. Note: Contraindicated for those with phlegm-heat in the upper jiao, fire in the stomach, or hematemesis due to yin deficiency with hyperactive fire. Method for making glue and frost: Take fresh antlers, cut into inch-length pieces, soak in river water for seven days, scrape clean, boil in mulberry wood fire for seven days, add a little vinegar, remove the antlers, crush into frost. Use the juice, add non-ashy wine, and boil into glue. Incompatible with Rheum Radix et Rhizoma [rhubarb]. (For early-stage Ru Fa [breast carbuncle/abscess], which can be fatal if untreated, grind deer horn into thick juice, apply externally, and have the patient squeeze out yellow fluid; it disperses immediately with miraculous effect.)

Its functions are similar to deer horn, but its warming property is slightly reduced. (Xiong's commentary on the *Book of Rites* states: The deer is a mountain beast, belonging to yang, with a lustful nature roaming mountains; it sheds its antlers at the Summer Solstice upon receiving yin qi, symbolizing retreat from yang. The elk is a marsh beast, belonging to yin, with a lustful nature roaming marshes; it sheds its antlers at the Winter Solstice upon receiving yang qi, symbolizing retreat from yin. Su Dongpo's *Liangfang* states: For tonifying yang, deer horn is superior; for tonifying yin, elk horn is superior. Li Shizhen said: Deer horn tonifies the essence and qi of the right kidney; elk horn tonifies the blood of the left kidney.) Deer horn is hard, while elk horn is loose. Deer horn is small, while elk horn is large. Deer horn is single-branched, while elk horn is double-branched. Elk skin can be made into boots and socks to treat tinea pedis [athlete's foot].