 |
|
|
|
If You Want Radiant Health...Traditional Chinese
Tonic Herbs Can Change Your Life!
|
| Deer Antler |
Deer
Antler is widely believed in the Orient to strengthen all aspects of a
person's
life, and is considered to be an ultimate primal essence (Jing) tonic.
It
is said to be a warm Yang tonic, although it is also known to contain
Yin
essence and is a major blood tonic. Extracts of Deer Antler have been
found
to strengthen the central nervous system and the heart. Deer Antler is
believed
to strengthen the mind and to enliven the Spirit (Shen). It is also
widely
used to improve mental power. Deer Antler contains many natural
minerals
and other nutrients. |
| More Information... | |
| Products Featuring This Herb: Deer Antler Extract Super Yang Jing Drops Supreme Creation Magu's Treasure Love Elixir Dragon Jing Deer Antler Tips Powder |
|
| More Information: Other Common Names Cervus Nippon Temminck (Sika Deer), Cervus Elaphus Linnaeus (Red Deer) (Cervidae), and others Page Number In Ancient Wisdom of the Chinese Tonic Herbs 125 Pharmaceutical Latin Cornu Cervi Pantotrichum Pinyin Lu Rong Treasures Jing (Yin and Yang), Qi (especially Blood) and the Spirit Treasure Rating ***** Atmospheric Energy Warm Taste Sweet and salty Organ Meridian Systems Liver and Kidneys. Also tonifies the Governing, Conception, Penetrating and Belt Channels of the Extraordinary Channels system. Part Used and Form Various segments of young deer antler of the two species described are used. Most deer are not killed in order to obtain their antler. In fact, since the deer are so valuable and since deer antler is essentially a renewable "crop," deer are highly protected in all Asian countries. They thrive under the conditions established. The antler is cut off the live deer when the antler has developed either two or three branches, yet remains soft and covered by "velvet," usually in the month of June in China and in January in New Zealand, another major source of high quality deer antler. A deer antler, as sold in a Chinese herb shop, is divided into three divisions, tips, middles and bottoms. That part growing closest to the end, usually the last two inches of each branch of the antler, is called the tip. The segment from that beginning of the tip to the fork(s) of the antler is called the middle and the main trunk of the antler is called the bottom. All three segments of the deer antler are used in Chinese Tonic herbalism. The bottoms, because they are the largest segment, are most commonly available and most widely used in commercial products. The middles and tips are generally only available in herb shops, except in rare products that feature these segments. Primary Functions To tonify the Kidney Qi and fortify Yang. Also tonic to Yin Jing and Blood, and strengthening to the sinews and bones. Benefits the heart and mind. Qualities Deer Antler is the most precious and the most potent of the substances that fortify the yang energy of the Kidney. Deer antler is widely used in Asia, and now throughout the world, to strengthen adrenal, reproductive and brain functions. It is universally believed in the Orient to build marital strength and to increase virility and fertility. Deer antler is available in the Asian market in a wide variety of expensive elixirs and combinations that are essentially claimed to be aphrodisiac. In the imminently regarded tenth century manual on health and marital conduct, The Essence of Medical Prescriptions, compiled by a Chinese physician living in Japan by the name of Tamba Yasuyori, it is said that: "There is nothing better than deer antler to cause a man to be robust and unaffected by age, not to tire in the bedroom, and not to deteriorate either in energy or in facial coloration." Like all yang herbs, deer antler is used to strengthen the back, knees and waste, but deer antler is considered to be the most powerful such agent and is usually the main herb in any formula in which it is included. It is used to strengthen the skeletal structure in both adults and children. It is also widely used to improve mental power. Deer antler is commonly used in combination with most of the major Qi tonic herbs such as Ginseng and Astragalus, and with all of the major Yin and Yang Jing-building herbs such as Lycium, Morinda, Ho Shou Wu, Epimedium, Schizandra, etc. Although deer antler has always been used to help build blood and improve circulation, modern research has supported deer antler's reputation as a heart tonic. Particularly the alcohol extract of deer antler, known as pantocrin, is consumed for this purpose. Deer antler is tonic to the marrow, which produces blood. Marrow tends to degenerate as we age and deer antler is believed to slow down or reverse this process. This is a major aspect of deer antler's youth preserving ability. Overall, deer antler is mainly used as a rejuvenating agent. Short term use is believed to quickly build strength and power, while consistent long-term use is believed to re-build deep life force, preserve youthfulness and to enhance longevity. Scientific Data IDeer antler is a rare type of organ in the higher animal kingdom. It is one of the few complex organ structures which regenerates in an annual rhythm and which will regenerate if cut or broken off. This regenerative power is what has most intrigued scientists in recent years, just as it has the Asian people through the ages. Studies conducted in Europe indicate that the ability to regenerate is due to the rich supply of substances known as ectosaponins. This complex chemical agent is are found more abundantly in lower animals, in which the ectosaponins cause a wide variety of tissue to regenerate. The ectosaponin in deer antler is very similar to ectosaponins found at the tail bases of many lizards, such as the Gecko lizard, and in the legs of star fish. Just as in the case of deer antler, if the tale is broken off a Gecko or similar lizard or the legs broken off a starfish, these appendages re-grow---bone, nerves blood vessels, flesh and all. The ectosaponins extracted from deer antler, as well as from Gecko and star fish all have shown remarkable regenerative effects on all types of tissue, including nerve tissue, which generally does not regenerate significantly. For example, experiments have been done by administering these ectosaponins (as pantocrin) to frogs and mice whose limbs have been amputated, resulting in imperfect, but impressive, re-growth of the limb including the paws and toes. Research indicates that moderate doses of pantocrin (primarily the alcohol extract of deer antler) benefit cardiovascular function by helping to regulate heart rhythm and by raising blood pressure and circulation in people with chronic poor circulation. Numerous studies done in China, Japan and Korea have shown that pantocrin increases work capacity, decreases muscular and mental fatigue, improves sleep and improves appetite. Deer antler has been shown to increase the oxygen uptake of the brain, liver and kidneys in laboratory animals. It also significantly increased red and white blood cell production in laboratory animals, with the effects increasing as dose was increased. Preparation and Utilization Deer Antler can be boiled or even consumed as raw ground powder. A half an ounce, or even a full ounce, in a half gallon of water, brewed with various tonic herbs that suit your constitution, current health condition and needs, is an excellent idea several times a year, if not more often. Mix with Ginseng, Rehmannia, Cordyceps, Reishi, etc. Make it the King herb, or at least the co-king with Ginseng or Reishi. You can also extract deer antler in alcohol. Put several ounces of Deer Antler into a half gallon of 40% or stronger alcohol, along with other tonic herbs and allow to extract for six weeks or longer. You may drink one ounce a night as a superb tonic. Primary Combinations Antler may be used alone, but is most commonly combined with other tonic herbs. Combine with: 1. Ginseng and Astragalus Root to tonify primal energy 2. Morinda, Eucommia, Drynaria, Cuscuta, and Dipsacus to tonify the Kidney and strengthen the skeleton 3. Cordyceps, Gecko, Ant and Placenta to tonify the primal qi and Kidney yin and Yang 4. Tortoise Plastrum to tonify Kidney essence 5. Lycium and Dang Gui to build blood and Kidney and Liver yin Varieties and Grading Selecting high quality deer antler is an art. There are many grades, cuts and qualities---and their are some counterfeits. The antler plays a major part in male marital role of the male deer. Larger antlers are produced by deer who are more marital and this deer antler is more potent. However, size alone will tell you little about the quality of a selection of deer antler. Deer antler is available in a very wide range of presentations. Most deer antler is sold in Chinese herb shops sliced into thin wafer-thick pieces for easy cooking, extraction or grinding. This practice is risky to the consumer who does not know much about deer antler because it is difficult to know exactly what you are getting unless you have either developed an acute eye for deer antler or you trust the herbalist selling the antler. However, once you learn how to buy deer antler, this is the only way to buy it. It is far better to purchase specific varieties and sections of antler than to buy an entire antler. Deer Antler can have a number of origins. Deer Antler entering the American market may originate in China, Russia, Mongolia, Alaska or New Zealand. All of these places have robust Deer Antler businesses. They all produce excellent deer; however, the quality may differ depending on the processing and the variety of deer. Three types of deer are commonly used: Sika (spotted), Red and Mallow. Each type has its major supporters. However, generally, Sika and Mallow are considered more effective than Red deer. Sika deer is the traditional deer used in Chinese herbalism. It is the common wild deer of the northeast of China often painted in longevity paintings. Mallow deer is also often painted in Chinese longevity art. It is often painted with a Ganoderma mushroom in its mouth. This is because the Mallow deer enjoys eating Ganoderma (and Panax Ginseng). Because it consumes Ganoderma and Ginseng, many people consider Mallow deer to be the best source of Deer Antler. Red deer antler is now abundant because Red deer are grown in abundance just for that purpose in New Zealand. Red deer antler is very good, probably as good as the others. In addition to these three true deer antlers, Elk antler and even moose antler are also available and some people swear by them. Raindeer from Alaska and Siberia is also now becoming popular. The tips are by far the most precious and most expensive part of the deer antler. Tips (sometimes called "tops") are smaller in diameter than middles or bottoms. Therefore it is common for neophytes to think that they are getting a better deal by buying middles, which present as larger pieces at a heavier weight, and for less money. But since there is far more active constituents in the tips than either the middles or the bottoms, tips are really the best value. And middles are far better than bottoms. Middles still contain significant amounts of the active agents associated with the benefits of deer antler. Bottoms are not very powerful since this bottom segment has stopped growing and contains relatively small amounts of the active constituents that one desires when using deer antler. True deer antler connoisseurs and tonic herbalists almost always buy tips, or at least middles. Leave the bottoms to those who haven't read this book. Don't buy cheap deer antler---there is no such thing. Bargain-basement deer antler is probably counterfeit. It may be from a type of deer that is considered to be of little health value, or it may not be from a deer at all or it. Deer antler is very valuable---and expensive---so enter the purchasing process with the attitude that you are going to get something really good. By all means, ask questions and above all use your intuition. Contraindications Not to be used during a fever. Back to Top |
|
 Web Mall ©Copyright 1998-2011 Yahweh's Alive & Well |
|
HOME | E-MAIL | BACK |