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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.