Deer Antlers as Aphrodisiac

Yes, its real deer antlers and they’re from live deer. You might think that they were hunted down to extinction for this purpose, but that’s a NO. (It might be true for their pelt but not for their antlers.) It might be true before, perhaps, but today, according to the sources I’ve read, they take it from the deer without killing them since it’s only the tip of their antlers that they’re after.

They call this tip as “deer antler velvet”, or just “deer velvet”. Deer velvet is named after the soft velvet-like covering of deer antlers while they are growing and still in a cartilaginous state, before they harden into bone. “Deer antlers”, by the way, are organs of bone which regenerate each year from the heads of male deer. They grow with remarkable swiftness and every year, after the roar and mating season, the antlers are cast to begin the cycle again in the spring. After removal, antlers are frozen and transported under sanitary conditions. The product is then dried and processed, which can include powder, extracts or slices. Contrary to what you could be thinking right now, it is not the skin on the outside of the deer antler and not the deer horn which will be used, but the inside of the deer antler.

The “deer velvet” has been around for 3000 years already. In Hunan Province, China, a silk scroll was recovered from these ancient times, listing 52 different diseases for which deer antler velvet was used as a medicine. Deer velvet competed with some valuable and rare types of ginseng as an elixir of the gods. Deer Antler velvet is traded widely throughout the world, mainly in the Orient and in Russia.

Though the use of Deer Velvet in Oriental and Chinese medicine has a long tradition, scientific evaluation of its effects is more recent. Studies originate mainly from Russia, Korea, China, Japan and New Zealand. Results caused the interest in deer velvet to increase rapidly.

Deer Antler is known to have wide ranging benefits, but it is especially known as an outstanding aphrodisiac. Men take it not only for sexual dysfunction, but also to increase desire and endurance. Women take deer velvet for menstrual and menopausal problems or infertility.


What is the composition of an ancient wonder such as the deer velvet?

Proteins
The structural materials in cells that aid tissue growth and repair.

Lipids
Builds cell components and boosts energy to enhance cellular activities. Deer velvet contains all essential fatty acids including Omega 3 and 6, Protoeolipids, and gangliosides.

Collagen
A protein widely recognised for the promotion of healthily skin and hair but also a vital structural protein component of bones, tendons, ligaments and cartilage, providing elasticity and shock absorbing properties and a strong framework to hold other cells. Collagen is known to help rebuild joint cartilage.

Amino Acids
Deer velvet contains over 30 Amino Acids including ten of the most essential.


Minerals/Trace Elements

Calcium
Provides structure for bones and teeth, and is essential for nerve impulse conduction, muscle contraction and blood clotting.

Copper
Necessary for red blood cell development, bones, and nerves.

Iron
Essential for blood cells transporting oxygen throughout the body.

Manganese
Needed for development of bones and connective tissue, and for normal functioning of the nervous system.

Selenium
Powerful antioxidant.

Magnesium
Required in metabolic reactions and storing and releasing energy in cells.

Phosphorus
Provides structure for bones and teeth, and is a component of nearly all metabolic reactions.

Potassium
For nerve and muscle function.

Sulphur
A component of various amino acids and insulin.

Zinc
Involved in digestion and respiration, and is necessary for normal wound healing and skin health.


Growth Factors
Improves muscular development. Insulin like Growth Factor (IGF-1) and Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF). Growth hormones and factors have an effect on growth and maintenance of bones and stimulating cartilage growth. They also have growth promoting actions on the skin.


Glycosaminoglycans

Glucosamine
An amino sugar that occurs naturally in the body and is a major basic nutrient used by the body in the production, maintenance and repair of all joint structure including cartilage, bone, tendon, ligaments and joint fluids. It is also a component of synovial fluid, which lubricates and serves as a shock absorber for the joints.

Chondroitin
Extremely potent anti-inflammatory agent.

Prostaglandins
A chemical regulator produced in all tissues that tell the body how to react to inflammation, infection and pain. Causes a broad range of positive effects on many of the body's defense systems.

Phospholipids
In cell membranes these are the effective structural materials that help facilitate the passage of fat in and out of the cells and the blood.


What benefits will you get from “deer velvet”?

Research Findings:

• Promotes stamina and endurance
• Restores lost energy
• Improves mental power
• Controls blood pressure
• Increases the effectiveness of anti-cancer drugs while reducing their side effects
• Stimulates the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow
• Boosts the immune system and hemoglobin levels

Ancient Belief:

• An ultimate primal essence (Jing) tonic and a good tonic for the blood since it replenishes not only the blood but also the essence
• It strengthens the mind and enlivens the spirit (shen)
• Tones and fortifies the Yang energy (or Yang Jing) of the kidney
• Builds sexual strength and increases virility and fertility
• Strengthen the bones and tendons making it good for strengthening of the back, knees and waste
• Deer antler’s overall use is as a rejuvenating agent whose 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 or even reverse aging, and to enhance longevity.