Parts Most Frequently Used: Velvet of young deer antler. The antler of the mature deer can also be used, it is called, Cornu Cervi.

Flavors/Temps: Sweet, Salty, Warm

Caution: Begin using at low dose and raise slowly, it can be very warming. It can cause dizziness and upset the stomach in large doses. Do not use if there is Heat from Yin Deficiency or Heat in the Blood, or has warm-febrile disease.

History/Folklore: Deer horn is considered a general tonic that increases appetite and improves sleep. It increases oxygen uptake in the brain, liver, and kidneys when fed to rats. It is used locally in powder form to heal ulcers and wounds, including fractures. Deer horn has a slight diuretic effect on the kidneys. Cornu Cervi, the antlers of mature deer, are slightly salty and warm. While weaker then Cornu Cervi Parvum (velvet of young deer antler), Cornu Cervi has similar functions and is cheaper to purchase so it is often used a substitute. Deer Horn Velvet is used to improve athletic performance as it boosts strength and endurance. It improves the immune system, countering the effects of stress and promoting rapid recovering from illness. Deer horn is also used at the onset of winter to prevent infections and illness. It is used to sharpen mental skills, protect the liver from toxins and stimulate the production and circulation of blood. It increases the red blood cell count in blood, aiding and preventing anemia. The hormonal substances in Deer Horn Velvet stimulate gastrointestinal mucosa, if improperly used this can cause stomach upset.

Deer horn iconography, symbolism and mythologies are surrounded and infused the power of deer, their deer antlers and therefore Deer Horn Velvet. In some Scottish and Irish tales, deer are seen as the “fairy cattle.” In Ireland, “the Old Woman of Beare” lives on an island off the coast of County Cork and takes the form of a deer to avoid capture, herding her deer by the shore to keep them safe. Saint Giles, a Catholic saint from France, lived as hermit for many years and is often depicted with a deer as a companion and symbol of gentleness. The Ottoman, Germanic, Hindu and Islamic cultures all have deer and stag mythologies. In Greece, a deer is particularly associated with the goddess Artemis in her role as the virgin huntress. For the Huichol peoples of Mexico, the “magical deer” is the symbol of the power of maize to sustain the body and of peyote cactus to feed and enlighten the spirit. The deer is a symbol of light, flexibility and humor. In Japanese Shintoism, the deer is a messenger to the gods. The Hebrew word “keren” means both horn and power. Ancient gods and super beings had horns. Kings would attach antlers to headdresses as a symbol of strength, supremacy, sovereignty and regal dignity. Stag antlers have also been a symbol of cuckholds. And they have been a symbol of mental and spiritual strength. The deers antlers shape is said to represent the World Tree becoming a symbol of where earth, man and the heavens meet and connect. As the antlers reach up above the head they symbolize the spiritual energy connecting one to the heavens. The French word for antlers “bois de cerf” literally translates as “wood of the deer.” There is a mystical connection between the deer, especially flying deer, and the early kings of France. Flying deer are, of course, also associated with Santa’s reindeer, who fly him all around the world to deliver gifts to good children during the winter holiday Christmas.