Dr. George of Jing Herbs delves into Deer Antler and its many benefits for health, energy, longevity, creativity, and libido.
It’s not so well known how deer antler supplements can support a woman’s hormone levels too, at all stages, including menopause. They can bring oestrogen levels up in older women and even out menstrual ups and downs in younger women.
Deer antler essence is best absorbed sublingually and bucally.
The rest of these notes are extracted from information from Jing Herbs and Dragon Herbs.
Deer grazing on wild Reishi – a Korean longevity painting
Deer Antler is believed in the Orient, and by many around the world, to strengthen all aspects of a person’s life. It’s a Yin jing tonic and warm Yang tonic, although it is also known to provide Yin Jing and helps both sexes.
It supports adrenal, reproductive and brain functions. Extracts of Deer Antler have been found to strengthen the central nervous system and the heart. Deer Antler is used to improve mental power.
Deer Antler is mainly used as a rejuvenating agent. Short term use is believed to quickly build strength and power, while consistent long-term use is believed to rebuild deep life force, preserve youthfulness and to support the potential for a long life.
Deer are not generally killed for their antler. The soft antler of the deer is painlessly removed from the deer when it has grown just two or three spikes and is still covered by velvet. The deer grow new antlers that same season and this second growth is not harvested. In the case of suppliers such as Jing herbs and Dragon Herbs the product is carefully sourced from farms where the deer are very well cared for and are allowed to roam wild during the day.
The tip of the antler is the most potent part because it contains the most active substances. The “tip” is the last inch of the antler, which is the active growing part of the Deer Antler.
In the spring antlers naturally grow at an astounding rate of almost 2 cm daily. At approximately day 60 of the growing cycle, the deer are gathered together from the free range, and the antlers are harvested under the auspices of licensed and trained veterinarians. After a few days, when it has been determined that the animals are all in good health, they are returned the free range for the remainder of the year.
After harvesting the antlers are freeze dried and then sliced into thin wafers. It is these thin slices tthat arer processed to produce Deer Antler Essence.
Minerals and Trace Minerals present in deer antler
Calcium(Ca)- provides structure for healthy bones and teeth, it is also an essential element for nerve impulse conduction, muscle contraction, and blood clotting. It is also interesting to note in the Taoist tradition that this mineral has a calming effect on the spirit.
Copper(Cu)-necessary for the production of red blood cells, bones and nerves.
Iron(Fe)- essential for the ability of red blood cells to transport oxygen to every cell in the body.
Manganese(Mn)- essential for the production and development of bones and connective tissue, and for the normal functioning of the central nervous system.
Magnesium(Mg)- very important in making calcium bio-available and essential in metabolic reactions and the storing and releasing of energy in the cells.
Phosphorus(P)- another element of bones and teeth, and is a component of the vast majority of metabolic reactions.
Potassium(K)- essential to all nerve and muscle functions.
Selenium(Se)-one of the bodies’ most powerful antioxidants and essential to a strong immune system.
Sodium(Na)- essential in osmotic pressure regulation and nerve and muscle function.
Sulfur(S)- an essential component of hormones, vitamins, proteins , amino acids and insulin.
Zinc(Zn)- an important mineral in optimal immune function also part of the enzymes involved in digestion and respiration and it is necessary for normal wound healing and healthy skin.
Proteins
There are several proteins found in deer antler, but the major one is Collagen in the forms of Type I,II,III,IV,VI and X. This protein is a major component of bones, tendons, ligaments and cartilage.
Amino Acids
Amino acids are the building blocks the body uses to construct proteins and are the structural materials in the cell. They are directly involved in the growth and repair of all tissue in the body. Deer antler contains both essential and non-essential amino acids, they are:
Alanine, Asparagine, Aspartic acid, Arginine, Cysteine, Glutamine, Glycine, Glutamic acid, Histidine, Isoleucine, Lysine, Leucine, Phenylalanine, Methionine, Orthinine, Serine, Proline, Taurine, Tryptophan, Threonine, Tyrosine and Valine.
Growth Factors
When we are young, the concentration of growth factors is relatively high which promotes lean muscle mass and low body fat. But as we age, the production of growth factors slowly begins to decline and the muscles begin to atrophy and body fat begins to be deposited especially for inactive individuals. The growth factors found in deer antler are the following:
Insulin-like Growth Factor 1(IGF-1) and Factor 2 (IGF-2). Has an anabolic effect on muscle mass, helps maintain normal fat distribution, helps promote bone health and nerve health. Insulin-like growth factors are also involved in the metabolism of glucose.
Epidermal Growth Factor(EGF). Have an effect on the growth and maintenance of bones, promoting protein and fat metabolism, stimulating cartilage growth, and thickening and lengthening bones in children. EGFs also have growth promoting action on the skin.
Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF). This growth factor is responsible for priming the cell to enter the cycle of cell division; it also assists other growth factors to stimulate and regulate the re-growth of blood vessels to wound sites and damaged bone.
Interleukins
These endogenous pyrogens belong to a family of chemical messengers called cytokines. Cytokines stimulate the immune response and activate the phagocyte cells.
Interleukin 1- T cell activation by macrophages, fever induction, inflammation promotion.
Interleukin 2- T and B cell differentiation and mitosis.
Interleukin 6- Stimulates the proliferation and killing activities of T cells.
Interleukin 12- promotes the proliferation of Natural Killer cells and promotes cell-mediated.
Some of the therapeutic benefits include:
Improved athletic performance.
Anti-inflammatory properties.
Accelerated wound healing.
Improved lean muscle mass.
Increased production of red blood cells.
Improved mental facility and acuity.
Anabolic and growth stimulating properties.
Healthy libido and sexual function.
Increased sense of well being.
Support for the whole endocrine system.
Support of the cardio vascular system.
Improvement in arthritic conditions.
Slow the deteriorating effect of ageing.