小者鹿。大曰麋。（茸之大小即以此别）麋似鹿而色青黑。肉蹄。目下有二窍为夜目。 牡
者有角而无齿。（无上龈齿。若下龈则牝牡咸有。）其
〔麋鹿茸角总论〕 凡含血之物。肉差易长。其次角难长。最后骨难长。故人自胚胎至
成人。二十年骨髓方坚。惟麋鹿角自生至坚。无两月。大者重二十余斤。其坚如石。计一日
夜须生数两。凡骨之生长神速。无过于此。此骨血之至强者。 夏至鹿角解。乘阴气之始以
生茸。冬至麋角解。乘阳气之始以生茸。皆怒长而为角。革故所以鼎新也。故角之力用最专。
而
而生于秋。受气于阳而长于阴。故为挟阳之阴。其以二至解角者。缘所受之精气。与阴阳之
进气相应耳。 鹿体阳。（其肉食之燠）以阳为体者。以阴为末。麋体阴。（其肉食之寒）以
阴为体者。以阳为末。角末也。本经言鹿角补阴。麋角补阳。是以二至日节气所进者。为云
万物乘天地之气以为进退。方来者进。是乘其生气也。 鹿。阳也。卧则其鼻反向尾闾。能
使阳得交于下之阴而督脉通。龟阴也。其首每向腹而闭息。能使阴得交于下之阳而任脉通。
是皆禀灵于造化者也。 麋鹿茸角俱以杜仲为之使。畏大黄。忌桃李。
鹿茸
味甘咸酸。气微温。气薄味浓。阳中之阴。入手厥阴少阴足少阴厥阴经。走命门心包
络及肾肝之阴分。（经曰。包脉者属心。而络于胞中。胞中为精血之所聚。而其脉固络于心
。心胞络主血会。所以能疗男子泄精尿血。及女子崩漏也。）峻补阴气。（与麋茸之甘热而专
补命门真阳者。有异。）生精益髓。强志健骨。疗虚劳洒洒如疟。一切虚损羸弱。四肢酸疼
。腰脊痛脚膝无力。或耳聋目暗。虚眩头晕。男子泄精溺血。女子崩漏。赤白带下。散石淋
痈肿。疽痒。及骨中热。久服耐老。
附方 精血耗涸。耳聋口渴。腰痛白浊。上燥下寒。不受峻补者。鹿茸酒蒸。当归酒浸。
各一两。焙为末。乌梅肉煮膏。捣丸梧子大。每米饮服五十丸。 虚痢危困。（因血气衰弱
者）鹿茸酥炙一两。为末。入麝香五分。以灯心煮枣肉和丸。梧子大。每空心米饮下三五十
丸。室女白带。（因冲任虚寒者）鹿茸酒蒸焙二两。金毛狗脊白蔹各一两。为末。用艾煎醋。
打糯米糊丸。梧子大。每温酒下五十丸。日二。 头中眩晕。甚则屋转眼黑。或如物飞。或
见一为二。用茸珠丹甚效。或用鹿茸半两。无灰酒三盏。煎一盏。入麝香少许。温服。
〔辨治〕 茸初生。一茶之顷。已成茄形。迟半日。便如马鞍歧起。愈小愈嫩。虽绵帛
触之。亦损破也。破则力大减。 紫茄茸太嫩血气未具。其实少力。坚者又太老。惟长四五
寸。形如马鞍。茸端如玛瑙红。至破之肌如朽木者。最善。 鹿茸收时。阴干易臭。惟破之
火干。大好。 先以酥匀涂茸上毛。烈焰中灼之。（不则火焰伤茸）候尽。再以酥涂微炙。
或酒炙及
麋茸
气味甘热。 性热补阳。（较鹿茸之微温而多补阴者为异）健骨扶阴痿。治丈夫冷气及
风。筋骨疼痛。老人骨髓虚竭。补益尤妙。（可作粉常服。煎胶亦妙。）
〔论〕 夫麋属阴。而茸角属阳。乃阴中之阳也。峻补阳气。当先入肾之命门。先哲多
言功胜鹿茸者。以其助阳益气。易于见功耳。 须知麋鹿茸角。其所以分者。在二至阴阳之
殊气。而其所以分而合者。在阳质而必应乎阴之气。阴质而必应乎阳之气。是以鹿茸非不益
阳。但阳中之阴以阴为主。而益阴者自能健阳。麋茸非不益阴。但阴中之阳以阳为主。而强
阳者亦自能益阴也。人身阳中之阴。虽阴生于阳。然必阴为先导。而火乃得交于水。因阴之
降以引阳也。其阴中之阳。虽阳生于阴。然必阳为先导。而水乃得交于火。因阳之升以引阴
也。总妙于阳降阴升。而生化因之以不息。明乎此。然后以阴阳之分治。阴阳之偏胜。而辅
佐得宜可耳。
麋茸功效虽宏。然须按脉沉细。相火衰弱者。始宜用。其角亦然。
〔修治〕 同鹿茸。
鹿角
生用则散热行血。消肿辟邪。熟用则入肾补肝。益阳和血。（至炼霜熬膏。则专
气味咸温补阴气。与茸同。而功力少缓。（故之革不如鼎之新也）疗骨虚劳极。补绝伤
。秘精髓。除腰脊痛。女子妊娠腰痛下血。又活瘀和血。大胜于茸。治留血在阴中。及少腹
血急痛。除女子胞中留血不尽欲死。（或堕胎血瘀。或胎死腹中。）更主血闭无子。诸恶疮痈
肿热毒。磨醋敷之。
附方 骨虚劳极。面肿垢黑。脊痛不能久立。发落齿枯。甚则喜唾。用鹿角酒浸焙二两。
牛膝酒浸焙一两半。为末。炼蜜丸梧子大。每服五十丸。空心。盐酒下。 肾虚腰痛。如锥
刺不能动。鹿角屑三两。炒黄研末。空心。温酒服方寸匕。日三。 妊娠下血不止。鹿角屑
当归各半两。水三盏。煎减半。顿服。不过二服。 妊娠腰痛。鹿角截五寸长。烧赤。投一
升酒中。又烧又浸。如此每次细研。空心。酒服方寸匕。
〔论〕 夫肾主骨主髓。髓者骨之充也。鹿角乘至阴之初气。而精血随之以怒生。是其
为骨之充者。无过此兽。所以能秘精髓。腰者肾之府。人身之髓。肾固主之。由脊骨中相贯。
故
〔辨治〕 要黄色坚重尖好者。 生角屑同他药煎服。散瘀行血。醋磨汁。涂疮疡痈肿
热毒。或水磨汁服治。脱精尿血。酒浸焙或炒黄。补虚和血。或烧灰酒服。治血虚而滞。（濒
湖） 寸截泥裹。于器中大火烧一日。如玉粉也。
麋角
气味甘热。 补阳道绝伤。益气补髓。暖腰膝。治丈夫冷气及风痹。（功胜鹿角。煮胶
亦胜白胶。）
〔论〕 麋角强阳之功。亦差缓于茸。与鹿角但分阴阳。而补髓之功不异。以肾中之任。
不外于督也。麋角较大于鹿角。为阳能生阴耳。其活瘀和血不及鹿角者。因补阳属气。不似
补阴之入血。故丈夫冷气及风痹者宜之。 阳盛阴虚者忌服。
鹿角胶（本经名白胶）
味甘咸。气温平。气薄味浓。降多升少。入足厥阴少阴手少阴厥阴经。 主治伤中。劳
绝羸瘦。补中益气。妇人血闭无子。（本经）男子损脏气。气弱劳损。吐血下血。女子崩中
不止。漏下赤白。安胎去冷。治男女肝肾虚损腰痛。并腰膝酸软及痛。（甘缓能通血脉）又
治尿精尿血。 同牛膝丹皮麦冬地黄苏子郁金白芍当归童便续断。治劳伤吐血。 同地黄山
药山萸鹿茸杞子五味车前麦冬杜仲骨脂巴戟莲须。治肾虚阳痿。精寒无子。加入当归紫石英。
治妇人血闭子宫冷。服之受孕。 虚劳尿精。白胶二两。炙为末。酒二两和
尿血。白胶三两炙。水二升。煮一升四合。分服。 妊娠下血。以酒煮白胶二两。消尽再服。
〔论〕 鹿角生与熟并熬胶。俱应入肾。以角亦骨类。为骨之合也。即六极审属骨虚。
止用鹿角牛膝二味。则其所入可知。生者活血胜于补虚。熟者补虚胜于活血。若熬成胶。则
一于补矣。鹿以阳质而挟阴之气。其角胶因烹炼之久。俾阴气熔化于阳中。于人身气血生化
之源。裨益良多。本经故主伤中劳绝羸瘦也。然更云补中益气。又似专功于气者。盖人身之
胃属阳。（经云。阳者胃脘之阳也。）而胃之三脘。皆在任脉。是至阳原本于至阴也。鹿角之
勃生怒长。正属阳中阴气。其禀专。其进锐。更经烹炼。则由阴 阳之气化。乃得致于中气。
以为天地升降之枢。是兹味之补中益气。正其能疗劳绝羸瘦者尔。（生角本为阳中之阴气。
熟胶乃达阴中之阳化。盖取肾气最浓之品。炼而成胶。则气化浓密。还归于补元精。不止于
元气之勃然而上行也。是诚为补先天要药。经曰。气归精。又曰。精化为气。可以合此味之
用。）东垣药性主男子损脏气。气弱劳损吐血。与本经所治。互相发明。夫脏气者。即经所
云五脏皆有阴气也。气弱者。即经所云阴伤则无气也。五脏阴气。为人身中元气。如病于阴
气不足。即谓之劳。至阴气大伤。谓之劳损。甚则遂云劳绝矣。诸书独以血证为言者。以阴
气乃后天营血之母。阴气伤即先病于血矣。因是悟诸血证之治。悉以救阴气为主。阴气系精
血之真元。救精血之损者。舍是将焉取诸。或曰。血逆类由火僭。何以致慎于苦寒之投。曰。
以苦寒反能亡阴耳。凡因六淫七情之侵。损伤五脏阴气。阴气损则元气乃化为火。而真阴之
化醇者。不能寻其天度。以循经络而归血海。如樱宁子所说血因热逆妄行。或挟风。或挟湿。
或挟气。亦庶几近之。第未明于六淫七情之损其阴气者。却在火之先。其平火而令血不妄逆
者。止为标之治。如探本。则必图完其阴气。以为营血之母。而善守之。然则平火。犹非损
阴气之的治。况以苦寒绝阳之生化。初不为阴之化源地乎。至慎苦寒而投参 。其失卒亦相
等。盖即白胶之能补阴气。尚难投于炎焰以冀有功。矧可倒行逆施。以助方张之焰乎。凡此
总未究于血之生化。乃源于水而成于火耳。惟鹿角阳中挟至阴。如人身元阳所自始。即血源
于水之义也。角胶炼阴以合阳。如人身元阳所由化。即血成于火之义也。取此味以完阴气。
乃于血证为能救本耳。（观治尿精尿血。及身半以下酸痛。则知其为精血之权舆。非火热之
对待也。）其有阴盛遏阳而患血逆者。（伤寒有之）又有劳倦伤其卫气。致营气不得入于经而
血错行者。是乃阳之不足。可以投参 者也。若伤于阴气。即当属化火而论。的然不可投参
矣。第火有虚实之分。实火者伤及后天之气。虚火者伤及先天之气。后天之气。乃阳中阴
生。先天之气。乃阴中阳化。如先天之气伤。固及于后天。经所谓至阴虚。天气绝是已。然
后天之气原根于先天。（如肾脉从肺络心注膻中。脾脉从胃注心中。而肝脉亦络膻中。）故伤
其后天之气者。必及于阳中之阴。伤其后天阳中之阴者。亦累于先天之阴。经所谓至阳盛。
则地气不足也。此味主劳损吐血。虽举先后天而胥治之。但先天之阴伤。虚火也。阴虚而火。
无所归经。以是补之。后天之阴伤。本于阳以及之。实火也。清天气之阳。乃可补地气之阴。
其先后
〔修治〕 取解角。锯半寸长。置长流水中。浸三日。削去黑皮。入砂锅内。以清水浸
至不露角。桑柴火煮从子至戌时止。旋旋添水。勿令火歇。如是者三日。角软取出。晒干成
霜。另用无灰酒入罐内。再煎成胶。阴干待用。 麋角性本甘热。更经火炼。则偏于补阳。
不如鹿胶之补而不僭。故截角制胶。须择其小者。勿使麋角混之。致药力不精。 用时。或
炒成珠。或酒化服。得火良。畏大黄。
鹿角霜
即鹿角煮烂成粉者。胶则取所煮之汁久熬而成者。霜似枯质。胶乃精液。古方或各用之。
或合用之。必其皆有补益。但恐霜逊于胶耳。有疗男子阳虚。与下小便频数同方。可知肾经
气虚者。此能益气而强肾矣。 小便频数。鹿角霜白茯苓等分为末。酒糊丸梧子大。每服三
十丸。盐汤下。 小便不禁。上热下寒者。鹿角霜为末。酒糊丸梧子大。每服三四十丸。空
心。酒温下。（凡病便数。皆肾经气虚而然。若不禁。则虚更甚矣。）
鹿髓
气味甘温。 治丈夫女子伤中绝脉。筋急痛。 同地黄汁煎膏服。填骨髓。壮筋骨。补
阴强阳。 白蜜煮服。令人有子。（鹿一牡能御数牝） 凡滋补药。用其脊髓和酒熬膏丸药。
大妙。 白飞霞法。取鹿脑及猪骨髓炼成膏。每一两加炼蜜二两。炼匀。瓷器密收。用和
补丸药。 治肺虚毛悴。有酥髓汤。（删繁方） 鹿髓煎。治肺痿咳嗽。伤中脉绝。用鹿
髓生地黄汁各七合。酥蜜各一两。杏仁桃仁去皮尖各三两。酒一升。同捣取汁。先煎杏仁桃
仁地黄汁减半。入三味煎如饧。每含一匙咽下。日三。
Small ones are called Lu (Deer). Large ones are called Mi (Elk). (The size of the velvet antler distinguishes them.) Mi resembles Lu but has dark blue-black fur. It has fleshy hooves. There are two orifices under its eyes, known as "night eyes." Male Mi have antlers but lack upper incisors. (They lack upper gum teeth, whereas lower gum teeth are present in both males and females.)
[General Discussion on Mi and Deer Antlers] Among all viviparous creatures, flesh grows most easily, followed by antlers which are harder to grow, and finally bones which are the hardest to grow. Therefore, humans require twenty years from embryonic stage to adulthood for their bone marrow to become solid. Only the antlers of Mi and Deer grow from emergence to hardness in less than two months; large ones weigh over twenty jin, with a hardness like stone. Calculating this, they must grow several liang per day and night. In terms of the speed of bone growth, nothing surpasses this. This is the strongest substance among bone and blood. On the Summer Solstice, Deer antlers shed, taking advantage of the initial generation of Yin Qi to sprout new velvet. On the Winter Solstice, Mi antlers shed, taking advantage of the initial generation of Yang Qi to sprout new velvet. They strive to grow into hard antlers, discarding the old to renew the new. Thus, the therapeutic power of the antler is most focused.
Deer antlers grow in autumn, receiving Qi from Yang and growing during Yin times, thus belonging to "Yin carrying Yang." The reason they shed antlers on the Two Solstices is that the refined essence they receive corresponds to the advance and retreat of Yin and Yang Qi. Deer body is Yang (its meat feels warm when eaten); those with Yang as the root have Yin as the extremity. Mi body is Yin (its meat feels cold when eaten); those with Yin as the root have Yang as the extremity. The antler is an extremity. The *Shennong Ben Cao Jing* states that Deer antler tonifies Yin, while Mi antler tonifies Yang. This utilizes the characteristics advanced during the Qi changes of the Two Solstices. All things rely on Heaven's cold Qi and Earth's hot Qi for advancement and retreat; the coming season is advancement, riding on the vital energy.
Deer belongs to Yang. When sleeping, its nose turns back towards the tail gate (Weilv), allowing Yang to interact with the Yin below, thereby unblocking the Du Meridian. Turtle belongs to Yin. Its head always faces the abdomen and holds its breath, allowing Yin to interact with the Yang below, thereby unblocking the Ren Meridian. Both possess spiritual endowment from Creation. Mi and Deer velvet antlers use Eucommia Bark (Duzhong) as a guiding herb. They fear Rhubarb (Dahuang) and avoid peaches and plums.
Deer Velvet Antler: Flavor is sweet, salty, and sour. Nature is slightly warm. The Qi is thin, the flavor is strong. It is Yin within Yang. It enters the Pericardium Meridian of Hand-Jueyin, Heart Meridian of Hand-Shaoyin, Kidney Meridian of Foot-Shaoyin, and Liver Meridian of Foot-Jueyin. It travels to the Gate of Vitality (Mingmen), Pericardium Collateral, and the Yin aspects of the Kidney and Liver. (The classics state: The Bao Mai belongs to the Heart and connects to the Bao Zhong. The Bao Zhong is where essence and blood gather, and its pulse indeed connects to the Heart. The Pericardium Collateral governs the meeting of blood, so it can treat men's seminal emission and hematuria, as well as women's metrorrhagia and leukorrhea.) It powerfully tonifies Yin Qi. (This differs from Mi velvet, which is sweet and hot and specifically tonifies the True Yang of the Mingmen.) It generates essence and nourishes marrow, strengthens willpower, fortifies bones, treats deficiency exhaustion with chills resembling malaria, all forms of deficiency wasting and weakness, soreness and pain in the four limbs, pain in the waist and spine, weakness in the legs and knees, deafness and dim vision, dizziness due to deficiency, men's seminal emission and bloody urine, women's metrorrhagia, red and white leukorrhea, disperses stone strangury and carbuncles, treats ulcers and itching, and heat in the bones. Long-term use promotes longevity.
Attached Formula: For depletion of essence and blood, deafness, thirst, lower back pain, turbid urine, upper dryness and lower cold, who cannot tolerate powerful tonification. Use Deer Velvet steamed in wine, Angelica Sinensis (Danggui) soaked in wine, each one liang. Dry and powder. Simmer Chinese Plum (Wumei) pulp into a paste, mix with powder to make pills the size of wutong seeds. Take fifty pills with rice water.
For critical deficiency dysentery (due to weak blood and qi): Mi Velvet roasted in butter one liang, powdered. Add Musk (Shexiang) five fen. Mix with dates boiled with Juncus effusus (Dengxincao) paste to make pills the size of wutong seeds. Take thirty to fifty pills on an empty stomach with rice water.
For young unmarried women with leukorrhea (due to deficiency-cold of the Chong and Ren meridians): Deer Velvet steamed and roasted in wine two liang, Cibotium Rhizome (Jinmao Gouji) and Akebiae Caulis (Bailian) one liang each. Powder. Decoct Artemisia argyi (Aiye) in vinegar, mix with glutinous rice paste to make pills the size of wutong seeds. Take fifty pills with warm wine, twice daily.
For dizziness in the head, severe vertigo and blackouts, visual disturbances like flying objects or diplopia. Rongzhu Dan is very effective. Alternatively, use Deer Velvet half liang, non-ashy wine three zhan, decoct to one zhan. Add a little Musk, take warm.
[Differentiation and Treatment] When the velvet first emerges, within the time of drinking tea, it already takes the shape of an eggplant. Half a day later, it rises like a saddle. The smaller and younger, the better. Even touching it with silk cloth can damage it. Once damaged, its efficacy is greatly reduced.
Purple Eggplant Velvet that is too tender lacks developed blood and qi, so its efficacy is low. Those that are too hard are too old. The best are those four to five cun long, shaped like a saddle, with the tip red like agate, and the internal texture like rotten wood.
When harvesting Deer Velvet, drying in the shade causes odor. Fire-drying after splitting is excellent.
First, coat the hair on the velvet evenly with butter, and scorch it in a fierce flame. (Otherwise, the flame will damage the velvet.) Burn until done. Then coat with butter and lightly roast. Or roast with wine...
Mi Velvet: Flavor and nature are sweet and hot. Nature is hot and tonifies Yang. (Different from Deer Velvet which is slightly warm and mostly tonifies Yin.) It fortifies bones and supports impotence, treats cold qi and wind in men, bone and joint pain, and extreme deficiency of bone marrow in the elderly. Tonification is particularly wonderful. (Can be made into powder for regular use; making jelly is also good.)
[Discussion] Mi belongs to Yin, while its velvet and antlers belong to Yang, making it Yang within Yin. To powerfully tonify Yang Qi, it should first enter the Mingmen of the Kidney. Ancients often say its efficacy surpasses Deer Velvet because it assists Yang and benefits Qi, showing results easily.
It must be understood that the distinction between Mi and Deer velvet/antlers lies in the different Qi of Yin and Yang at the Two Solstices. Their unity despite distinction lies in Yang substance responding to Yin Qi, and Yin substance responding to Yang Qi. Thus, Deer Velvet does benefit Yang, but since it is Yin within Yang, prioritizing Yin naturally strengthens Yang. Mi Velvet does benefit Yin, but since it is Yang within Yin, prioritizing Yang naturally benefits Yin. In the human body, Yin within Yang: although Yin is born from Yang, Yin must act as the guide so that Fire can interact with Water, drawing Yang down via Yin descent. Yang within Yin: although Yang is born from Yin, Yang must act as the guide so that Water can interact with Fire, drawing Yin up via Yang ascent. The subtlety lies in Yang descending and Yin ascending, keeping metabolism continuous. Understanding this allows for proper treatment using Yin-Yang differentiation and balancing excesses.
Although Mi Velvet has grand efficacy, it should only be used when the pulse is deep and fine, indicating deficient Ministerial Fire. The same applies to its antler.
[Processing] Same as Deer Velvet.
Deer Antler: Raw use dissipates heat and moves blood, reduces swelling and expels evil. Cooked use enters the Kidney to tonify the Liver, benefits Yang and harmonizes blood. (Refining into frost or boiling into jelly specializes in...) Flavor is salty and warm, tonifying Yin Qi. Similar to velvet but with slower efficacy. (Thus, shedding is inferior to renewal.) Treats extreme bone deficiency exhaustion, repairs severe injuries, secures essence and marrow, removes waist and spine pain, pregnancy-related lower back pain and bleeding. Also invigorates blood and dispels stasis, far surpassing velvet. Treats retained blood in the yin organs, acute pain in the lower abdomen, and retained blood in the uterus causing near-death sensation. (Due to miscarriage with blood stasis or fetal death in utero.) Also treats amenorrhea and infertility, various malignant sores, carbuncles, swelling, and heat toxins. Grind with vinegar and apply externally.
Attached Formula: For extreme bone deficiency exhaustion, facial swelling and dirtiness, inability to stand long due to spine pain, hair loss, dry teeth, excessive salivation. Deer Antler soaked in wine and roasted two liang, Achyranthes Bidentata (Niuxi) soaked in wine and roasted one and a half liang. Powder. Honey pills size of wutong seeds. Take fifty pills on an empty stomach with salted wine.
For Kidney Deficiency Lower Back Pain, stabbing sensation preventing movement: Deer Antler shavings three liang, stir-fried yellow and powdered. Take on an empty stomach with warm wine, one cubic inch dose, three times daily.
For incessant bleeding during pregnancy: Deer Antler shavings and Angelica Sinensis (Danggui) half liang each. Water three zhan, decoct to half. Take in one dose. Not exceeding two doses.
For lower back pain during pregnancy: Cut Deer Antler five cun long, heat until red, immerse in one sheng of wine. Heat and immerse repeatedly. Grind finely each time. Take on an empty stomach with wine, one cubic inch dose.
[Discussion] The Kidney governs bones and marrow; marrow fills the bones. Deer Antler rides the initial Qi of Extreme Yin, and essence and blood grow vigorously with it. No animal surpasses it in filling the bones. Hence it secures essence and marrow. The waist is the mansion of the Kidney. Marrow in the body is governed by the Kidney, connected through the spinal column.
[Differentiation and Treatment] Select those that are yellow, solid, heavy, and sharp-tipped.
Raw antler shavings decocted with other herbs disperse stasis and move blood. Grind with vinegar for juice to apply to sores, carbuncles, swelling, and heat toxins. Or grind with water for oral administration to treat seminal emission and hematuria. Soak in wine and roast, or stir-fry yellow, to tonify deficiency and harmonize blood. Or burn to ash and take with wine to treat blood deficiency with stagnation. (Li Shizhen)
Cut into inches, wrap in mud, fire-roast in a vessel for one day until it becomes like jade powder.
Mi Antler: Flavor and nature are sweet and hot. Repairs Yang Dao and severe injuries, benefits Qi and nourishes marrow, warms waist and knees, treats cold qi and wind-bi in men. (Efficacy surpasses Deer Antler; boiling into jelly surpasses White Jelly.)
[Discussion] The Yang-strengthening power of Mi Antler is slower than velvet. Like Deer Antler, it distinguishes Yin and Yang, but its marrow-nourishing efficacy is identical, as the Ren Meridian in the Kidney is not separate from the Du Meridian. Mi Antler is larger than Deer Antler because Yang can generate Yin. Its ability to invigorate blood and dispel stasis is inferior to Deer Antler because tonifying Yang pertains to Qi, unlike tonifying Yin which enters Blood. Thus, it is suitable for men with cold qi and wind-bi. Contraindicated in cases of Excess Yang and Deficiency Yin.
Deer Antler Jelly (Named Baijiao in *Ben Cao Jing*): Flavor is sweet and salty. Nature is warm and neutral. Qi is thin, flavor is strong. Descending more than ascending. Enters Foot-Jueyin Liver, Foot-Shaoyin Kidney, Hand-Shaoyin Heart, and Hand-Jueyin Pericardium meridians. Mainly treats injury to the middle, exhaustion and emaciation, tonifies middle and benefits Qi, amenorrhea and infertility in women. (*Ben Cao Jing*). Men's damaged organ Qi, weak Qi and exhaustion, hematemesis and hematochezia, metrorrhagia in women, continuous dripping of red and white discharge, calms fetus and dispels cold, treats lower back pain from Liver-Kidney deficiency in both sexes, along with soreness and weakness in waist and knees. (Sweet and slow nature can unblock blood vessels). Also treats spermatorrhea and hematuria.
With Achyranthes (Niuxi), Moutan Cortex (Danpi), Ophiopogon (Maifeng), Rehmannia (Dihuang), Perilla Fructus (Suzi), Curcuma Zedoaria (Yujin), White Peony Root (Baishao), Angelica Sinensis (Danggui), Child's Urine (Tongbian), and Dipsacus (Xuduan), treats exhaustion-induced hematemesis.
With Rehmannia (Dihuang), Yam (Shanyao), Cornus (Shanzhuyu), Deer Velvet (Lurong), Goji (Qizi), Schisandra (Wuweizi), Alisma (Cheqian), Ophiopogon (Maifeng), Eucommia (Duzhong), Morinda (Guzhi), Morinda Officinalis (Baji), Lotus Stamen (Lianxu), treats Kidney deficiency impotence, cold essence and infertility. Add Angelica (Danggui) and Purple Quartz (Zishi) to treat female amenorrhea and cold uterus; conception follows ingestion.
For deficiency exhaustion with spermatorrhea: Baijiao two liang, roasted and powdered. Mix with two liang of wine.
For hematuria: Baijiao three liang, roasted. Water two sheng, decoct to one sheng four he. Divide and take.
For bleeding during pregnancy: Decoct Baijiao two liang in wine until dissolved, take again.
[Discussion] Raw, cooked, and jelly forms of Deer Antler all enter the Kidney, as antlers are bone-like, representing the union of bone. If Six Exhaustions are confirmed as bone deficiency, using only Deer Antler and Achyranthes indicates their target. Raw form invigorates blood more than tonifying deficiency; cooked form tonifies deficiency more than invigorating blood. Jelly is purely tonifying. Deer possesses Yang substance with Yin Qi. Its antler jelly, due to prolonged cooking, melts Yin Qi into Yang, benefiting the source of Qi and Blood generation in the human body. Hence *Ben Cao Jing* treats injury to middle and exhaustion/emaciation. However, it also says "tonifies middle and benefits Qi," seeming to focus on Qi. The Stomach belongs to Yang. (Classics: Yang refers to the Yang of the gastric cavity.) The three epigastria are on the Ren Meridian, meaning Supreme Yang originates from Supreme Yin. The vigorous growth of Deer Antler belongs to Yin Qi within Yang. Its endowment is specific, its progress rapid. After cooking, it transforms from Yin to Yang Qi, reaching Middle Qi, acting as the pivot of Heaven and Earth's ascent and descent. Thus, its "tonifying middle and benefiting Qi" is precisely why it treats exhaustion and emaciation. (Raw antler is Yang-with-Yin Qi; cooked jelly reaches Yin-with-Yang transformation. Taking the product with densest Kidney Qi, refining it into jelly makes Qi transformation dense, returning to tonifying Primordial Essence, not just rising Yuan Qi vigorously. It is truly a key medicine for tonifying Congenital Qi. Classics: Qi returns to Essence. Essence transforms into Qi. This fits the use of this substance.) Dong Yuan's materia medica mentions men's damaged organ Qi, weak Qi, exhaustion, hematemesis, elucidating *Ben Cao Jing*. Organ Qi refers to the Yin Qi of the Five Zang. Weak Qi refers to Qi loss due to Yin injury. The Yin Qi of the Five Zang is the Yuan Qi in the human body. Disease of insufficient Yin Qi is called Lao (Exhaustion). Severe Yin Qi injury is called Laosun (Deficiency Exhaustion). Extreme case is Laojue. Books focusing on blood disorders do so because Yin Qi is the mother of Postnatal Ying Blood; Yin injury first affects blood. Thus, treating blood disorders focuses on saving Yin Qi. Yin Qi is the true origin of essence and blood. To save essence and blood damage, where else to turn? Some ask: Blood rebellion is usually due to flaming Fire, why caution against bitter-cold? Answer: Bitter-cold can destroy Yin. Invasion of Six Evils and Seven Emotions damages Five Zang Yin Qi. Yin injury causes Yuan Qi to transform into Fire. Pure Yin cannot follow natural rhythms to return to the Sea of Blood via meridians, similar to Ying Ningzi's description of heat-induced reckless blood flow, possibly with wind, dampness, or Qi. But the damage to Yin Qi by Six Evils/Seven Emotions precedes Fire. Calming Fire to stop reckless blood is treating the branch. Seeking the root requires completing Yin Qi to serve as the mother of Ying Blood. Thus, calming Fire is not the direct treatment for Yin Qi damage. Using bitter-cold to cut off Yang's generation is not the source of Yin transformation. Cautioning against bitter-cold and using Ginseng/Astragalus has equal faults. Baijiao can tonify Yin Qi, yet it is difficult to use amidst blazing fire, let alone reverse course to aid raging flames. These fail to investigate blood generation, which originates in Water and completes in Fire. Deer Antler carries Extreme Yin within Yang, like the origin of Human Primordial Yang, meaning blood originates in Water. Antler Jelly refines Yin to unite with Yang, like the transformation of Primordial Yang, meaning blood completes in Fire. Using this to complete Yin Qi saves the root in blood disorders. (Observing treatment of spermatorrhea/hematuria and lower body soreness shows it is the origin of essence/blood, not a counter to fire.) Cases of Yin excess suppressing Yang causing blood rebellion (seen in Cold Damage) or fatigue damaging Wei Qi causing Ying Qi failure to enter meridians leading to erratic blood flow are due to Yang insufficiency, suitable for Ginseng/Astragalus. If injured by Yin Qi, it belongs to Fire transformation, absolutely contraindicated for Ginseng/Astragalus. Fire has Deficiency and Excess types. Excess Fire damages Postnatal Qi; Deficiency Fire damages Congenital Qi. Postnatal Qi is Yin born from Yang. Congenital Qi is Yang transformed from Yin. Injury to Congenital Qi inevitably affects Postnatal, as stated: "Extreme Yin deficiency, Heavenly Qi cuts off." However, Postnatal Qi roots in Congenital. (Kidney meridian connects Lung to Heart to Qiyuan; Spleen meridian connects Stomach to Heart; Liver meridian connects to Qiyuan.) Thus, injuring Postnatal Qi affects Yang-within-Yin. Injuring Postnatal Yang-within-Yin accumulates on Congenital Yin. "Extreme Yang excess, Earthly Qi is insufficient." This substance treats exhaustion hematemesis, addressing both Pre- and Postnatal. Congenital Yin injury is Deficiency Fire. Yin deficiency with Fire has no meridian to return to; tonifying helps. Postnatal Yin injury stems from Yang affecting it, constituting Excess Fire. Clearing Heavenly Qi Yang can tonify Earthly Qi Yin. Its pre- and post...
[Processing] Take shed antlers, saw into half-cun lengths, soak in flowing water for three days. Scrape off black skin. Place in clay pot, cover with clear water. Boil with Mulberry wood fire from Zi hour to Xu hour. Add water gradually, do not let fire stop. Do this for three days. Remove when soft, dry to powder (Frost). Separately, put non-ashy wine in jar, boil again into jelly. Dry in shade for use. Mi Antler is naturally sweet and hot; further fire refining biases it towards tonifying Yang, unlike Deer Jelly which tonifies without being excessive. When cutting antlers for jelly, choose small ones to avoid mixing Mi antlers, which would dilute efficacy. Use: either stir-fry into pearls or dissolve in wine. Benefits from fire. Fears Rhubarb.
Deer Antler Frost: Powder resulting from boiling Deer Antler until rotten. Jelly is the concentrated liquid from long boiling. Frost resembles dry residue; Jelly is refined essence. Ancient formulas use them separately or together. Both have tonifying effects, though Frost may be inferior to Jelly. Used for male Yang deficiency with frequent urination, indicating it benefits Qi and strengthens Kidney in Kidney Meridian Qi deficiency.
For frequent urination: Deer Antler Frost and Poria (Fuling) equal parts, powdered. Glue paste pills size of wutong seeds. Take thirty pills with salt water.
For urinary incontinence with upper heat and lower cold: Deer Antler Frost powdered. Glue paste pills size of wutong seeds. Take thirty to forty pills on empty stomach with warm wine. (Frequent urination is due to Kidney Meridian Qi deficiency. Incontinence indicates greater deficiency.)
Deer Marrow: Flavor and nature are sweet and warm. Treats injury to middle and severed pulse in men and women, tendon stiffness and pain. With Rehmannia juice boiled into jelly, fills marrow, strengthens bones, tonifies Yin and strengthens Yang. Boiled with white honey, promotes fertility. (One male deer can service multiple females.) For all tonifying medicines, using spinal marrow with wine to boil into jelly/pills is excellent.
Bai Feixia Method: Take Deer Brain and Pig Marrow, refine into jelly. Add two liang refined honey per one liang jelly. Mix well, store tightly in porcelain. Mix with tonifying pills.
For Lung deficiency with withered hair, there is Su Mei Tang. (*Shan Fan Fang*)
Deer Marrow Decoction: Treats Lung痿 (flaccidity) cough, injury to middle and severed pulse. Deer Marrow and Rehmannia Juice seven he each. Butter and Honey one liang each. Apricot Kernel and Peach Kernel (skin and tip removed) three liang each. Wine one sheng. Pound together to extract juice. First decoct Apricot/Peach kernels and Rehmannia juice to half. Add the three flavors, decoct until like syrup. Hold one spoonful in mouth and swallow slowly, three times daily.