Deer antler velvet ranks among the three major tonics in traditional Chinese medicine, alongside ginseng and donkey-hide gelatin, collectively known as the "Three Treasures" of Chinese herbal medicine.Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners explain that deer antler velvet originates from the immature, non-ossified antlers of sika deer or red deer, densely covered in fine hairs. The former is called "sika deer velvet (yellow-haired velvet)," with reddish-brown or brown outer skin and dense reddish-yellow or dark fine hairs. The latter is called "red deer velvet (blue-haired velvet),"with a grayish-black outer skin densely covered in coarse, gray or blackish-yellow hairs. Next, we'll introduce the correct method for selecting deer antler during the holiday season.
Based on the sectioned location, deer antler is broadly categorized into wax slices, powder slices (white or red), sand slices, and bone slices. The few yellowish-white, wax-like slices cut from the antler tip are wax slices. Some wax slices may retain blood-like streaks from dried blood vessels, termed blood slices—the highest-grade deer antler slices.Powder slices come from the middle section of the antler, where powder is extracted. These slices have a smooth surface with fine pores and offer secondary therapeutic effects. Slices infused with deer blood are called red powder slices. Sand slices and bone slices are close to the bone where the antler meets the deer's bone, and they have the weakest efficacy.
As deer antler is a valuable medicinal herb, unscrupulous individuals may produce counterfeit products for profit. How can consumers distinguish genuine from fake? Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners note that most counterfeit deer antler is fabricated by wrapping animal bone glue in fur or other materials. It is heavy and tough, difficult to cut, dissolves in water, and produces a cloudy solution.Therefore, when selecting deer antler slices, prioritize those that are light in weight, have thin edges, and exhibit smaller honeycomb-like pores in the center. Additionally, genuine deer antler slices typically retain small amounts of dried deer blood in the center after processing, appearing as uneven dark brown spots. Some slices on the market display uniform whiteness, indicating treatment with hydrogen peroxide solutions or oxidizing agents like sulfur.
This concludes our guide to selecting deer antler during the holiday season. We trust you now have a clearer understanding. Finally, we sincerely wish you good health and happiness.