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Sweet and salty in flavor, warm in nature, non-toxic, entering the Kidney Meridian. It primarily benefits Qi and nourishes Yin, strengthens willpower and tonifies the Kidney, regulates deficiency emaciation, consolidates teeth, stops soreness and pain of the waist and knees, resolves blood stasis causing pain, treats consumptive disease resembling malaria, addresses metrorrhagia and fetal restlessness in women, hematuria and seminal emission in men, pediatric convulsions, dissipates stone stranguria (urinary calculi) and carbuncles, clears heat from bones, and relieves itching. Its appearance resembles agate and red jade, three to four cun in length; those with a rotten wood-like texture inside when broken are considered superior. Use it together with the top bone. The antler of the Great Wall deer primarily expels evil influences, enriches Shen (Spirit), reconnects severed injuries, strengthens sinews and bones, eliminates carbuncles, heals malignant sores, and treats women dreaming of intercourse with spirits. The velvet and antler of the elk have similar effects but are hotter in nature. They specifically tonify Yang. There are four types involving elk antlers and velvet, all using Eucommiae Cortex (Duzhong, 杜仲) as a guiding herb, and they are incompatible with Rheae Radix et Rhizoma (Dahuang, 大黄).

Commentary: Lu Rong is a salty and warm substance; where else would it go but the Kidney? Although its efficacy is profound, it must be used for patients with a deep and fine pulse. It is only suitable for those with deficient and declining Ministerial Fire. If used by those with excess heat, what difference is there from carrying firewood to put out a fire? The same applies to the antler, especially that of the elk. The elk sheds its antlers at the Winter Solstice, thus belonging to Yang; the deer sheds its antlers at the Summer Solstice, thus belonging to Yin. Their nature is hot, hence their action is rapid. Generally speaking, among blood-bearing creatures, flesh grows easily while horns grow with difficulty. Only these two types of velvet can grow to twelve jin in less than two months, becoming hard as stone. No other growth is as miraculous. Moreover, the horns of most beasts do not change throughout life, whereas this type changes once a year. This is likely because its nature is hot, promoting endless generation; as the old does not fall off, the new follows. The transformation of Qi into dense marrow is unparalleled. The sages' enthusiastic description of its merits is well-founded.

Lei Gong stated: When processing, first grind Tian Ling Gai (Calvaria Humana, human skull cap) into powder. Then saw the Lu Rong into slices. Mix the Tian Ling Gai powder with good Mutton Fat (Yangzhi, 羊脂) and coat it onto the Lu Rong slices. Roast slowly over low heat until both inside and outside turn yellow and brittle. Wrap in Deer Skin and leave in a room overnight to allow the "spirit" of the medicine to return. The next day, bake slowly over low heat until brittle, then crush into powder. For every five liang of Lu Rong, use three liang of Mutton Fat, roasting until fully absorbed. Another method involves soaking in the natural juice of Phellodendri Cortex (Huangbai, 黄柏) for two days and nights, draining, baking dry, crushing, and filtering to prevent thirst. Deer Antler is superior to Elk Antler. Choose deer antler that is yellow, tight, and heavy. This is because such deer eat spiritual herbs, distinguishing them from ordinary deer. The root of the Elk Antler has yellow hairs like golden threads and small lateral spikes; those with a pale white color are superior. An annotation citing Gan Ning Ji states: This occurs because the deer plays with dragons. After harvesting, select antlers marked with gold ornaments and three cun long. Saw them open, place in a container, and soak in fast-flowing water for one hundred days. Remove, scrape off the rough outer layer with a knife, wash thoroughly with water. Then boil in strong vinegar for seven days, adding vinegar continuously without stopping. Do not apply direct fire at the end; simply process from Zi hour to Xu hour over seven days. The antler becomes white and soft like powder. Crush finely into powder, then boil in Non-fermented Wine (Wuhui Jiu, 无灰酒) to make glue. Dry the glue in the shade, grind repeatedly, and sieve before use.

For ten liang of processed material, boil in one cup of Non-fermented Wine until dry. Sun Simiao stated: Deer meat can resolve drug toxicity but should not be taken for a long time, as it consumes detoxifying herbs. Meng Shen stated: It primarily benefits Qi. One should not smell it, as there are tiny white insects within the velvet, invisible to the naked eye. If inhaled into the nose, they cause nasal myiasis ("worm throat"), rendering the medicinal effect useless.