Library

[Harm] Lu Rong (Deer Antler Velvet) has ascending and dispersing properties with a hot nature. For those with Yin deficiency and floating Yang, there have been many witnessed cases of death due to upper hemorrhage and blood collapse caused by misuse. Its odor should not be inhaled, as it is feared that parasites may enter the nasal cavity and damage the brain. It is not suitable for those with Kidney deficiency accompanied by fire, because it tends to tonify Yang. It should also be avoided by those with phlegm-heat in the Upper Jiao or fire in the Stomach. In all cases of hematemesis (vomiting blood) or hematochezia (blood in stool), which are generally due to Yin deficiency with blazing fire, it must not be taken.

[Benefits] Sweet and salty in taste, warm in nature, entering the Kidney meridian. It strengthens bones, promotes tooth growth, fortifies willpower, supplements Qi, treats soreness and pain in the limbs, and softness/pain in the waist and spine. It is considered an elixir for treating consumptive diseases (Xu Lao) and a miraculous pill for treating metrorrhagia (Beng Lou).

[Processing] When Deer Antler Velvet first grows to two or three cun in length, it branches like a saddle, is red like agate, and breaks with a sound like rotten wood; this is of good quality. Those that are too tender lack sufficient Qi and Blood and thus have weak efficacy. Hunters capture deer, bind them to harvest the velvet, and then kill the deer to prevent the dispersion of blood. The most rare and valuable are those that are unbroken and have not bled. During April and May when deer shed their antlers, the harvested velvet is dried in the shade, coated with butter, scalded to remove hair, and lightly roasted. If butter is not applied, the velvet may be damaged; some are also processed with wine.

[Harm] Same as Deer Antler Velvet.

[Benefits] Salty and warm, tonifies the Kidney, generates essence and marrow, strengthens sinews and bones, strengthens the waist and knees, stops metrorrhagia and epistaxis (nosebleed), relieves abdominal pain, and calms the fetus.
Raw Deer Antler clears heat, promotes blood circulation, reduces swelling and detoxifies, and expels evil blood.
When boiled into paste or refined into frost, it specializes in nourishing and tonifying.
Deer Meat is sweet and warm, tonifies the Middle Jiao, strengthens the Five Zang organs, unblocks meridians, and boosts Qi and strength.
Deer Kidney has abundant Qi and sufficient essence.
Velvet is superior to antler; meat benefits the Spleen.

[Processing] Harvest antlers in July; antlers from older deer are better. They can be boiled to make glue, which is excellent for medicinal use. Method for making glue and frost: Take fresh antlers, cut into one-cun pieces, soak in river water for seven days, scrape clean, boil over mulberry wood fire for seven days, add a little vinegar, crush the antlers into frost for use. The juice can be added to non-ash wine and boiled into glue for use.

The effects are similar to Deer Antler Velvet, but the warming property is slightly reduced. Deer Antler tonifies the Right Kidney and is suitable for those with insufficient Essence and Qi. Elk Antler tonifies the Left Kidney and is suitable for those with insufficient Blood.

[Processing] Deer antlers are hard, while elk antlers are larger; deer antlers are single-branched, while elk antlers are double-branched. When using Elk Antler, it can be cut into five-cun pieces. Split open, burn over charcoal, crush into powder, mix with water to form a dough, place in a silk bag of three to five layers, knead repeatedly. Do this five times, then mix with cow's milk, burn again, and grind for use.