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Deer Antler (Velvet)

녹용 (鹿茸) · Cervus spp. (velvet antler)

Kidney-yang tonifying herb (animal-derived) Warm Sweet, sour (some sources: bitter, pungent) Kidney, Liver

NatureWarm

TasteSweet, sour (some sources: bitter, pungent)

MeridiansKidney, Liver

Part usedYoung, unossified antler (velvet), harvested from farmed deer

FamilyCervidae (animal-derived)

CategoryKidney-yang tonifying herb (animal-derived)

Find by concern: Weak knees Weak constitution

Overview

Deer antler is the single most prized tonic in East Asian medicine, harvested each spring while the new antler is still soft, blood-rich, and unossified — the Donguibogam grades quality by shape, preferring branched, "saddle-shaped" antlers over the softest, most tender ones for their fuller strength. The text also carries a striking, specific warning: never sniff it directly, as tiny creatures inside the velvet can enter the nose and cause harm.

In the Donguibogam

東醫
寶鑑

性溫, 味甘酸一云苦辛, 無毒. 療虛勞羸瘦, 四肢腰脊痠疼. 補男子腎虛冷, 脚膝無力, 夜夢鬼交泄精, 女人崩中漏血, 及赤白帶下, 能安胎.

Source: Donguibogam, Tangaek-pyeon (Herbology volume)

TranslationIts nature is warm, its taste sweet and sour (some say bitter and pungent), and it is non-toxic. It treats deficiency-taxation wasting and emaciation, and aching of the limbs, lower back, and spine. It tonifies men's kidney deficiency-cold, weak legs and knees, nocturnal emissions from dream-intercourse with spirits, women's flooding and spotting, and red and white vaginal discharge, and can calm a pregnancy.

Traditional functions

Tonifies kidney yang
Strengthens sinews and bones
Relieves general debility and wasting
Secures essence, stops abnormal bleeding

Traditional applications

General debility with aching limbs
Weak, cold lower back and knees
Abnormal uterine bleeding or discharge
Kidney-deficiency fatigue

Traditional preparation

Ground fine for pill and powder use, 1–4g; often prepared in decoctions with other tonic herbs under professional guidance.

Cautions

Caution: The Donguibogam gives an unusually specific warning: never sniff velvet antler directly, as tiny creatures inside can enter the nose and cause harm. A potent tonic traditionally reserved for genuine deficiency-cold patterns; obtain only from verified, ethically farmed sources and use under professional guidance.

Frequently asked questions

Why does the Donguibogam warn against smelling deer antler directly?

It records a specific, unusual warning: tiny creatures can live inside the velvet antler and enter the nose if sniffed directly, causing harm — a practical safety note rather than a general property.

Is deer antler from an endangered species?

No — velvet antler used in traditional medicine comes from regularly farmed deer species, harvested each spring while the antler is still soft, a well-established agricultural practice distinct from concerns around endangered wild species.

Sources

동의보감 탕액편 (원문) — 한문 원문 발췌 — 한의학고전DB 탕액편 대조 검증 완료 (DATA-001)
한의학고전DB (mediclassics.kr) — 국역 참조 후 자체 재서술 (LEGAL-001)

DonguiHub is an educational and informational platform about the history and tradition of Korean medicine. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about health conditions and before using any herb.