Deer Velvet Antler: A Rediscovered Natural
Health Dietary Supplement For Our Time
John Ryan
INTRODUCTION
This article introduces deer velvet antler, its origins and
use, but more importantly velvet's beneficial clinical effects.
The report combines traditional knowledge with modern science
and describes velvet's use in a way that today's consumers can
make informed decisions on the benefits of velvet for them.
HISTORICAL
The Chinese has used velvet antler for over 2000 years for its
powerful health promoting properties. The first documented
evidence of the use of deer antler velvet in China, as a health
tonic has been dated back 168BC. Traditional Asian usage has
been for the promotion of well being and prevention of illness.
WHAT IS DEER VELVET ANTLER?
Velvet antler is the growing stage of the horns borne on the
heads of male members of the deer family. They are called
velvet antlers during the phase of rapid growth and development
because of the velvet-like covering of skin.
Velvet antler is living tissue that grows at a very fast rate
of up to 2cm/day in some species. This means that cartilage,
bone, and support tissues such as nerves, blood vessels and
hair follicles must grow at this phenomenal pace. Velvet antler
is the only mammalian organ that regenerates like this. This may
be the reason for its powerful health benefits.
A RENEWABLE RESOURCE
Deer velvet antler is unique in that it grows each spring is
cast in the late winter and is replaced the following spring by
the same natural process. So velvet antler is not only a product
unique in the animal kingdom but it can be considered as a
renewable resource.
VELVET IN THE NEW AGE
From the growing antlers of deer comes a natural product with
the potency and flexibility to safely benefit a great many
people throughout the world. Although velvet antler's
extraordinary properties were originally recognised in Asia,
particularly China, its relevance to the lifestyle needs of the
21st century are becoming apparent. These needs transcend the
barriers that separate Eastern from Western medicine. Perhaps
it is better to use the words `lifestyle choices' rather than
`lifestyles needs'. `Choices' implies a level of individual
responsibility to conduct life in a manner that is
self-directed. Lifestyle choice carries the further meaning of
expressing individual preference on how to maintain and advance
quality of life. Velvet antler can impact at several levels of
quality of life. Research evidence supports treatment,
restorative and protective roles. In addition, consumption of
velvet antler can not only provide an immediate benefit, but
also amplify and enhance long-term benefits.
Velvet antler is the health-promoting tonic that is right for
our times.
It is easy to become confused by the many purported - and
substantiated - benefits of taking velvet antler. It seems too
good to be true, in Westerners eyes that a single product could
benefit in so many different ways. It may be useful to simplify
the many benefits and state what velvet doesn't appear to do.
We have no evidence of anti-bacterial, anti-viral or
anti-fungal activities of velvet. Velvet cannot `cure' by
destroying active pathogens.
The actions of velvet are consistent with:
•restoration of normal body processes,
•strengthening of the body, possibly leading to mental and
physical performance increases, and
•protection of the body.
In Asia these functions are considered as `tonics', but tonic
is not an easy word to define in English and hence may have
limited value. The benefits of velvet do not overlap with
Western medicine but in many respects can be thought of as
complementary. A good example is the use of velvet antler
extract to mitigate the damaging side effects of anti-cancer
drugs, while at the same time helping their effectiveness.
Product safety is another key issue for our times. Velvet
antler has been consumed for at least 2000 years and no general
toxicity or negative side effects are known. The fact that
velvet has been used safely by young and old male and female
alike for some 2000 years is evidence that velvet is a
relatively safe preparation.
This is important because people conscious of their quality of
life need this information to weigh up costs and benefits.
Velvet antler is a win-win product; safe to take yet known to
be effective. It is a product in transition from an Asian
medicine enshrouded in mystery to a functional supplement of
benefit to East and West alike. Exciting possibilities for this
product can eagerly be awaited - the current applications are
but a glimmer of the future of velvet antler.
TRADITIONAL USE
The benefits of velvet that we are rediscovering were well
known to the Chinese. It is unlikely that in even earlier times
the shaman cultures of North Asia were familiar with medicinal
plants and animals. So although the concept of medicinal
animals may seem odd, given that we accept medicinal plants,
historically medicinal animals have held an important place. In
Europe, for example, bee venom was used as a treatment for
arthritis until relatively recently. The development of velvet
antler as a traditional medium has been greatest in China and
there are many references in Chinese literature to the benefits
of velvet.
The functions of velvet antler are many but all fall into the
major categories of:
•general body strengthening,
•healing,
•promoting blood cell growth
•improving the immune system, and
•Influences cardiovascular function.
Recent research in China, Russian and New Zealand and Canada
has added to this list and has provided modern research support
for the traditional knowledge.
Traditional Chinese Medicine, while having curative functions,
focuses on promoting wellness as a medical goal in itself. In
both Chinese and Korean medicine velvet antler can be regarded
as an effective promoter of health. This may be because the
substances that promote rapid growth and regeneration of velvet
are responsible for the tonic actions. Western medicine lacks a
formal understanding of a tonic, but it is important for a
potential user of velvet antler to accept the context in which
to seek the benefits of velvet. In keeping with Chinese and
Korean use of velvet these are overall strengthening of the
body, healing and improving tissue function. View velvet antler
as a powerful restorer and strengthener not a curative in
itself. The mechanisms for this true tonic activity are as yet
only poorly understood. In the future this list of benefits may
lengthen.
About The Author: John Ryan is based in Upper Hutt, New
Zealand. He was a farmer for 15 years before venturing into
natural health products. He can be contacted through
http://www.velvita.com
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