Cervus Nippon ( also known as sika deer horn, velvet antler, lùróng 鹿茸) is referred in the the 3000-year-old book of the "Yellow Dragon" as an aid to boost the will, strengthen the muscles and bones, cure general debility, cure impaired vision,cure impaired hearing, treat rheumatism, osteomyelitis, and delay the onset of senility. For more than 2000 years, a remarkable natural remedy called deer horn has been prized by healers in various cultures around the world. It is used widely in Unani medicine. Deer horn has now become a dietary supplement used to increase muscle strength and endurance, treat sexual dysfunction, and to treat swelling.

In Korea, Japan, India and Russia, deer horn has reportedly been used to prevent, heal and relieve ailments and injuries. Today, a vast body of research conducted in those countries is now revealing an impressive array of reported abilities of deer horn to reduce inflammation, influence body metabolism, support immune function, protect damaged tissues and affect blood, liver and kidney function and more.

Deer horn is harvested annually .When the antlers are in velvet it is the most “nutrient abundant” phase of the antlers’ incredibly prolific growth cycle. Hence, it is often met under the name velvet antler.  It is at this time every spring, that the breeders collect the deer horn.  This process is not harmful to the elk and the deer horn is an annually renewable resource.  Once the antler is removed, it is then processed, analyzed at a laboratory, encapsulated and ultimately packaged for the consumer as a nutritional supplement.

Action mechanism

Cervus Nippon antlers contain substances that mimic prostaglandins. The latter are factors produced naturally in the body when inflammation occurs. These substances are used often to relieve symptoms of pain rheumatism and arthritis. Fatty acids and phospholipids are also present in their antlers. Both are important for numerous functions in the body, mental and physical. One can realize that the use of cervus Nippon in therapy can have immense applications such as skin conditions, myosceletal ailments, brain function, concentration e.t.c. Modern research has shown that the alteration of lipid composition has been shown to take place at different stages of antler growth.  The greatest amounts of phospholipids and polyunsaturated fatty acids have been found during the most intense soft antler growth period.

The biological activity of deer antler has been considered to originate in the gangliosides, although the structures of gangliosides have not been well elucidated. The quality of deer antler as an Asian folk medicine has often been evaluated by the amount of gangliosides contained in the crude drug. Researches managed to isolate, determine and purify, five gangliosides in total from deer antler Cervus Nippon.

In fact, laboratory analyses now show that it contains an amazingly comprehensive nutritional profile including collagen, amino acids, essential fatty acids, minerals, trace minerals, and other functional proteins, all vital components for human metabolic function.

Prostaglandin’s:(Stimulate contractibility of smooth muscles)
Collagen :(type II)
Amino Acids:(Tryptophan-Valine-Lysine-Methionine-Histidine-Isoleucine-Arginine-Leucine-Hydrozyproline:Tyrosine-Aaspartic Acid-Phenylalanine-Threonine-Cysteic Acid-Serine-Taurine-Glutamic Acid-Urea-Proline-Sarcosine-Glycine-Glucosamine )
Fatty Acids:(Plamitic-Oleic-Plamitoleic-Linoleic-Stearic)
Minerals:(Aluminium-Phosphorous-Antiomony-Potassium-Barium-Silicon-Boron-Sodium-Calcium-Strontium-Cobalt-Tin-Copper-Titanium-Iron-Vanadium-Manganese-Zinc-Magniesium-Molybdenum)
Sugars:(Arabinose-Glucose-Deoxyribose-Mannose-Fructose-Ribose-Galactose-Xylose )
Steroids:(Estone-Testosterone)
Sphingolipids:(found in nerve tissues also in high concentration in the brain)

Uses

Within the comprehensive network of velvet’s nutrients, some, such as glycosamino glycans, calcium, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, certainly contribute to joint support and relieving inflammation.  Recently however, research has established that the high level of chondroitin sulfate found in velvet antler acts like a “liquid magnet” attracting fluid into the proteoglycan molecules to ultimately help support human and animal cartilage.  This is critical because this fluid acts as a spongy shock absorber and attracts nutrients into the cartilage.  Without this fluid cartilage becomes malnourished, drier and more fragile.  In fact, there appears to be a correlation between joint cartilage affected by osteo-arthritis and reduced levels of chondroitin sulfate.  Therefore, studies have definitively confirmed that the chondroitin sulfate in velvet antler actually “helps restore joint function” in people with osteo-arthritis.  At the time of the writing of this publication, researchers are also evaluating if velvet antler will also be awarded additional health claim status for “supporting joint structure and function” resulting from rheumatoid arthritis.

Studies in England presented that deer horn is rich in IGF-1, an insulin-like growth factor.  A study at Oxford University has linked this rapid growth to increased medicinal value in humans for promoting muscular development, preventing muscular atrophy, and slowing the deteriorating effects of aging. The latter was also supported by Chinese researchers experimenting in vivo. They noticed inhibition of MAO-B activity and the increase of monoamines(5-HT, DA) level, the increase of RNA and protein level. Inhibition of reuptake of neurotransmitters serotonin and noradrenalin can lead to remission in patients with depression and other mood disorders.

Laboratory studies in New Zealand have shown anti-tumor activity in deer horn.

The sika deer antler is also investigated for its haemoglobin alpha-chains which possess an unusual variability. To support this, studies in China have shown positive results in improving blood parameters and an increase in the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin in blood.

Improved circulation studies in China presented that the polysaccharides in deer antlers have been linked to biological activities, such as improving circulation, reducing the blood’s tendency to clot, decreasing risk of stroke, and improving general cardiovascular health.

Furthermore, various studies report an increase in heart strength and the volume of blood pumped through the heart.

Recent clinical studies from the University of Alberta in Canada with the Alberta Police Department and the University of Alberta football team have shown the levels of testosterone in certain dosages of deer horn build and tone muscle.

Russian energy studies proved that the velvet extract pantocrin has been shown to increase the work capacity of mice.

In a double-blind fashion to determine the effects of deer antler velvet on maximal aerobic performance and the trainability of muscular strength and endurance, either deer antler velvet extract or placebo were compared. There was a greater increase in isokinetic knee extensor strength (30 +/- 21% vs. 13 +/- 15%, p = .04) and endurance (21 +/- 19% vs. 7 +/- 12%, p = .02) in the powder form of deer antler compared to placebo group.Further studies are required to justify that this supplement enhances the strength training response and muscular strength.

Cervus Nippon is part of a therapeutic combination used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat erectile dysfunction.

Dosage and administration

In some countries it comes in capsule, powder and liquid extract form.
Dosage depends on weight and needs to be determined by a professional and specialised healthcare provider.

Side effects – contraindications

Some of the symptoms that one may experience if not tolerant to cervus Nippon are the following

• Breathing problems or tightness in your throat or chest.
• Chest pain.
• Skin hives, rash, or itchy or swollen skin.
• Allergic reactions and asthma have also been reported (2).

Dear reader, as with all herbs and supplements, do not attempt any, if you are on any medication, unless you consult your GP first.

Tag: Cervus Nippon