Velvet Antler

Last Updated: September 28 2022

Velvet Antler (usually from deer) is crushed antler that is orally consumed for preventative health purposes. Hailing from Traditional Chinese Medicine, velvet antler does not appear to influence hormones and is currently unsupported for muscle repair (although it may aid skin regeneration rates).

dosageDosage
examine-databaseExamine Database

Velvet Antler is most often used for

Summary

Velvet Antler, commonly from deer but also obtained from elk, is the crushed antler base of the mammal's antlers; these antlers regenerate rapidly and commonly fall off, which then appear to have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for general preventative health purposes.

Repeated studies have been conducted on the interactions of Velvet Antler and hormones, and all studies have found that this supplement has failed to increase circulating hormone levels. One study found a highly variable increase in power output, which is antagonized by another study suggesting no significant increase in power. For the purposes of performance enhancement, the evidence does not currently support Velvet Antler as a supplement.

There is preliminary evidence for other possible benefits of Velvet Antler, and this supplement may potentially have a role in fracture/bone healing rates, anti-additive properties, and improving skin regeneration rates pending more research; all three topics show some promise right now.

Velvet Antler appears to be safe, but ineffective at the most commonly touted claims.

What else is Velvet Antler known as?
Note that Velvet Antler is also known as:
  • Deer Velvet Antler
  • Deer Antler
  • Elk Velvet Antler
  • Cervus
  • Lu Jiao Pan
Velvet Antler should not be confused with:
  • IGF-1 (supposed constituent)
Dosage information

Due to a lack of human evidence to support benefits of this supplement, an optimal dosage cannot yet be ascertained. Two possible options exist:

  • 500 mg once daily, which is what seems to be used in most dietary supplements
  • 1,000-2,000 mg daily, which appears to be the recommendation from traditional chinese medicine

Join our supplement information course

Examine Database: Velvet Antler
What works and what doesn't?

Unlock the full potential of Examine

Get started

Don't miss out on the latest research

References
1.^Wu F, Li H, Jin L, Li X, Ma Y, You J, Li S, Xu YDeer antler base as a traditional Chinese medicine: A review of its traditional uses, chemistry and pharmacologyJ Ethnopharmacol.(2013 Jan 30)
3.^Li CHistogenetic aspects of deer antler development Front Biosci (Elite Ed).(2013 Jan 1)
5.^Hu W, Qi L, Tian YH, Hu R, Wu L, Meng XYStudies on the purification of polypeptide from sika antler plate and activities of antitumorBMC Complement Altern Med.(2015 Sep 18)
9.^Bubenik GA, Miller KV, Lister AL, Osborn DA, Bartos L, van der Kraak GJTestosterone and estradiol concentrations in serum, velvet skin, and growing antler bone of male white-tailed deerJ Exp Zool A Comp Exp Biol.(2005 Mar 1)
12.^Woodbury MR, Caulkett NA, Wilson PRComparison of lidocaine and compression for velvet antler analgesia in wapitiCan Vet J.(2002 Nov)
14.^Kim HS, Lim HK, Park WKAntinarcotic effects of the velvet antler water extract on morphine in miceJ Ethnopharmacol.(1999 Jul)
16.^Lu LJ, Chen L, Meng XT, Yang F, Zhang ZX, Chen DBiological effect of velvet antler polypeptides on neural stem cells from embryonic rat brainChin Med J (Engl).(2005 Jan 5)
17.^Shao MJ, Wang SR, Zhao MJ, Lv XL, Xu H, Li L, Gu H, Zhang JL, Li G, Cui XN, Huang LThe Effects of Velvet Antler of Deer on Cardiac Functions of Rats with Heart Failure following Myocardial InfarctionEvid Based Complement Alternat Med.(2012)
18.^Dai TY, Wang CH, Chen KN, Huang IN, Hong WS, Wang SY, Chen YP, Kuo CY, Chen MJThe Antiinfective Effects of Velvet Antler of Formosan Sambar Deer (Cervus unicolor swinhoei) on Staphylococcus aureus-Infected MiceEvid Based Complement Alternat Med.(2011)
19.^Suh JS, Eun JS, So JN, Seo JT, Jhon GJPhagocytic activity of ethyl alcohol fraction of deer antler in murine peritoneal macrophageBiol Pharm Bull.(1999 Sep)
21.^Kuo CY, Wang T, Dai TY, Wang CH, Chen KN, Chen YP, Chen MJEffect of the Velvet Antler of Formosan Sambar Deer (Cervus unicolor swinhoei) on the Prevention of an Allergic Airway Response in MiceEvid Based Complement Alternat Med.(2012)
23.^Allen M, Oberle K, Grace M, Russell A, Adewale AJA randomized clinical trial of elk velvet antler in rheumatoid arthritisBiol Res Nurs.(2008 Jan)
24.^Allen M, Oberle K, Grace M, Russell AElk velvet antler in rheumatoid arthritis: phase II trialBiol Res Nurs.(2002 Jan)
26.^Sleivert G, Burke V, Palmer C, Walmsley A, Gerrard D, Haines S, Littlejohn RThe effects of deer antler velvet extract or powder supplementation on aerobic power, erythropoiesis, and muscular strength and endurance characteristicsInt J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab.(2003 Sep)
28.^Syrotuik DG, MacFadyen KL, Harber VJ, Bell GJEffect of elk velvet antler supplementation on the hormonal response to acute and chronic exercise in male and female rowersInt J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab.(2005 Aug)
29.^Zhou QL, Guo YJ, Wang LJ, Wang Y, Liu YQ, Wang Y, Wang BXVelvet antler polypeptides promoted proliferation of chondrocytes and osteoblast precursors and fracture healingZhongguo Yao Li Xue Bao.(1999 Mar)
31.^Sadighi M, Haines SR, Skottner A, Harris AJ, Suttie JMEffects of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF-II on the growth of antler cells in vitroJ Endocrinol.(1994 Dec)
32.^Suttie JM, Gluckman PD, Butler JH, Fennessy PF, Corson ID, Laas FJInsulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) antler-stimulating hormoneEndocrinology.(1985 Feb)
34.^Mousley MDiabetes and its effect on wound healing and patient careNurs Times.(2003 Oct 21-27)
36.^Zha E, Gao S, Pi Y, Li X, Wang Y, Yue XWound healing by a 3.2 kDa recombinant polypeptide from velvet antler of Cervus nippon TemminckBiotechnol Lett.(2012 Apr)
38.^Zhang H, Wanwimolruk S, Coville PF, Schofield JC, Williams G, Haines SR, Suttie JMToxicological evaluation of New Zealand deer velvet powder. Part I: acute and subchronic oral toxicity studies in ratsFood Chem Toxicol.(2000 Nov)