What is Lu Rong?
Lu Rong
Lu Rong(scientific name:
CORNU CERVI PANTOTRICHUM), is the velvet antlers of male deer from the Cervus nippon Temminck or Cervus elaphus Linnaeus species that have not yet ossified and are covered in densely-packed hair. The former is commonly known as Hua Lurong while the latter is known as Ma Lurong. Lu Rong has various medicinal properties and is a precious Chinese traditional medicine. It is harvested in summer and autumn and is processed through drying in the shade or oven-drying.
Types of Lu Rong
Lu Rong has various pharmacological effects and is a precious traditional Chinese medicine. Among the many species of deer, the Chinese Pharmacopoeia only recognizes two types: Hua Lurong and Ma Lurong.
(1)Hua Lurong
It has a cylindrical shape with branches. The branch with only one side branch is called "Er Gang," and the main branch is called "Da Ting." It is 17-20cm long with a sawtooth diameter of 4-5cm. The attached side branches at the sawtooth are called "Men Zhuang," which are about 1cm away from the sawtooth and are 9-15cm long with slightly smaller diameters. The outer skin is reddish brown or brown and has a shiny surface with red, yellow or brownish yellow fine velvet-like hairs growing densely on the upper end and sparsely on the lower end. There is 1 grayish black vein between the bifurcation, and the skin and fur are tightly attached. The sawtooth is yellowish white with no bone in the periphery and is densely covered with tiny pores in the middle. It is lightweight and has a slightly fishy smell and taste. The branch with two side branches is called "San Cha," and the Da Ting is 23-33cm long with a slightly thinner diameter than the Er Gang. It is slightly curved and flat, with pointed twig ends and longitudinal ridges and bumps on the lower part. The skin is reddish yellow, and the fur is sparse and rough.
(2)Ma Lurong
It is larger than Hua Lurong and with more branches. The side branch with only one branch is called "Dan Men," two branches "Lian Hua," three branches "San Cha," and four or more branches "Si Cha." It is divided into "Eastern Ma Lurong" and "Western Ma Lurong" according to the place of origin.
Growth environment of Lu Rong
1.Hua Lurong
It is mainly produced in Shuangyang, Yitong, Jilin City, Dongping in Jilin province, Xifeng and Gaiping in Liaoning, Tianjin and Beijing, and sold throughout China. In recent years, it has also been raised in other regions, but the quantity is still limited and only for local use.
2.Ma Lurong
It is mainly produced in Ning'an, Aihui, Qing'an, Fujin, Linkou, and Yilan in Heilongjiang province, Fuyu, Dunhua, and Hunchun in Jilin, Ewenki Autonomous Banner, Hailar, and Buteha Banner in Inner Mongolia, Yili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture and Altay in Xinjiang, Haixi and Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefectures, Yushu, and Gangcha in Qinghai, Simao, Lincang, Baoshan, and Wexi in Yunnan, Aba Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan, and Minxian and Zhangye in Gansu. It is also produced in Tibet, Hunan, and Taiwan. Lu Rong produced in Northeast China is called Dongma Rong and has the best quality, mainly exported, and has a large sales volume in Guangdong and Fujian provinces. Lu Rong produced in Northwest China is called Xima Rong and has a lower quality, mainly sold in southern and eastern China.
Harvest and processing of Lu Rong
Harvest
Lu Rong refers to the non-ossified antlers that grow on the forehead of a male deer. During the spring or early summer, before the antlers have fully developed, they are sawed off (sawed velvet) or cut off with a sharp knife (cut velvet) and then processed and dried.
Processing
Lu Rong is scalded in boiling water, dried, scalded again, and then dried until all blood is drained. The hair on the velvet is scraped off with a knife or glass, then it is slowly burned while being scraped until clean. Finally, the velvet is clensed with water or scraped with porcelain or glass, wrapped with a cloth and stored in a sealed container in cool and dry places.
Lu Rong slices
At the small hole on the sawing section, white wine with a temperature of over 50°C is poured in repeatedly until the velvet is soaked through. Then, the velvet is wrapped tightly with damp towels or cloths and left overnight. After Lu Rong is softened, it is sliced horizontally, flattened, and dried to prevent moisture.
Lu Rong powder
Processed Lu Rong is chopped into small pieces and ground into a fine powder.
Storage
Stored in cool and dry places, sealed, and anti-moth.
Lu Rong TCM
Medicine part
Lu Rong is the antler of the male deer of the Cervus nippon Temminck or Cervus elaphus Linnaeus species of the deer family, which is densely covered with hair but has not yet ossified.
Taste
Sweet and salty, warm in nature.
Tropism
Enter the Liver and Kidney meridians.
Effect
Lu Rong has the effects of tonifying Yang, nourishing Qi and blood, supplementing Jing and marrow, strengthening tendons and bones.
Attending
Lu Rong is often used to treat deficiency syndrome with fatigue, emaciation, dizziness, deafness, blurred vision, lumbago and weakness, kidney deficiency, impotence, and emission. It is also used to treat conditions like uterine cold, excessive menstrual bleeding, leukorrhea, and chronic illnesses with deficiency and weariness.
Dosage
Oral administration
1-3g by grinding and mixing with water or in pill form. It can also be soaked in alcohol for application.
Taboo
Lu Rong should be taken from a small dosage, gradually increasing it. It should not be taken in large quantities to avoid the rise of Yang and Wind or the injury of Yin and blood. It is not suitable for patients with hypertension, nephritis, hepatitis, Yin deficiency and hyperactivity of Liver yang.
Related discussion
(1)According to Bencao Jing Shu, Lu Rong is pure Yang in quality, containing vital essence. For women, when Chong Mai and Ren Mai are deficient, it can treat various conditions like menstrual disorders, abdominal pain caused by blood stasis, or bladder stones. For men, it can treat conditions like cold and heat, epileptic seizures, fatigue, limb soreness, back pain, frequent urination, spermatorrhea, and blood in urine due to the insufficiency of Liver and Kidneys. Lu Rong can benefit Qi and strengthen the mind by nourishing the heart's protective network, Liver and Kidney Yin. In addition, it can treat abscesses and ulcers, because it promotes blood circulation, nourishes the skin, and promotes the metabolism of the subcutaneous tissues.
(2)According to Ben Jing Feng Yuan, Lu Rong is often used to treat deficiency syndrome with fatigue, lumbago, emaciation, and tonifying of fire and boosting of Yang, nourishing essence and marrow, strengthening sinews, and bones, consolidating and reducing urination. It can help the person with a deficiency syndrome. For conditions like dizziness and blurred vision, it is advisable to use this drug. "Shi Bu Wan" is an effective prescription that comprises Lu Rong, Wu Wei Zi, and other herbs which strengthens Kidney essence and promotes the longevity of life.
Lu Rong benefits
The health benefits of Lu Rong are exceptional, making it an excellent option as a whole-body tonic. It contains more amino acids, phospholipids, vitamins, and trace elements than Ginseng. Lu Rong is warm but not dry in nature, providing a boost to the body and improving overall function. It has a good effect on individuals who are generally weak or recovering from a long-term illness. Lu Rong can improve the body's cellular immune and humoral immune functions, promote the transformation of lymphocytes, and act as an immunomodulator. It can increase the body's defense against the external environment, regulate immune balance within the body to prevent disease, promote wound healing, and aid in the recovery of illness, ultimately improve the general health condition and prevent aging.
The specific pharmacological effects of Lu Rong are as follows.
(1)Effects on the nervous system
Lu Rong can enhance the tension of parasympathetic nerve endings, promote the recovery of the nervous system, improve the function of the nervous and muscle systems, and also have an excitatory effect on the sympathetic nervous system.
(2)Effects on the cardiovascular system
A moderate dosage of Lu Rong can reduce blood pressure, decrease the amplitude of heart contractions, slow down heart rate, and cause peripheral vasodilation. A moderate dosage can also significantly enhance heart contraction, increase its amplitude and increase heart rate, thus increasing cardiac output. Lu Rong has a particularly significant effect on fatigued hearts.
(3)Effects on sexual function
Lu Rong extract can increase the concentration of plasma testosterone and increase the concentration of luteinizing hormone (LH). Therefore, it is effective in treating sexual dysfunction during puberty and prostate atrophy in the elderly. It also has a good effect on treating menopausal disorders in women.
(4)Strength-building effects
Lu Rong extract has a strong anti-fatigue effect, increases cold resistance, speeds up wound healing, and stimulates adrenal cortex function. Therefore, it is a traditional tonic used for body building, tonifying the Kidney, and nourishing the Yang.
(5)Effects on blood components
Lu Rong can increase the amount of hemoglobin in the blood, making it particularly effective for patients with significant bleeding or terminal infections, especially elderly patients.
(6)Hormone-like effects
Animal testing has shown that subcutaneous injections of Lu Rong can increase the weight of the prostate and seminal vesicles in just a few days.
(7)Excite intestines, uterus, and strengthen renal diuresis function
Lu Rong is beneficial for women and children. The inorganic elements such as calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium contained in it are involved in the metabolism of calcium, phosphorus, and enzymes in the body. They have a positive effect on promoting calcium absorption, bone growth, and enhancing heart and muscle function. Magnesium ions, in particular, have complex functions and are essential for longevity. Lu Rong has a good therapeutic effect on women's infertility due to uterine coldness, menstrual disorders, and children's developmental delays caused by insufficient Kidney Qi, dental growth disorders, delayed cranial closure, and bone softness.
(8)Other effects
Some effective ingredients in Lu Rong can inhibit the activity of MAO-B, thus having an anti-aging effect. Lurong has antioxidative effects, promotes gastrointestinal motility and secretion function, and can enhance the immune function of the body.
Lu Rong side effects
(1)Causing inner-heat
Lu Rong is a traditional Chinese medicine with a sweet and salty taste, warm nature, and enters the liver and kidney meridians. If patients do not follow the doctor's advice when taking it, they may develop inner-heat, ending up in mouth and tongue sores, and swollen gums.
(2)Causing gastrointestinal discomfort
Lu Rong itself is a traditional Chinese medicine which taking may irritate the gastric mucosa. Patients may experience gastrointestinal discomfort like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea after taking it.
(3)Allergic reactions
If patients are allergic to Lu Rong, they may experience allergic reactions like itching and redness of the skin. In severe cases, they may experience anaphylactic shock.
Patients must strictly adhere to their doctor's advice when using Lurong to avoid adverse side effects.
How to take Lu Rong?
(1)Lu Rong Wine
10g of Lu Rong and 30g of Chinese yam
Soaked in 500g of white wine. Drink 1-2 small cups each time.
This recipe is recorded in Pu Ji Fang, which uses Lu Rong to nourish the Kidney and tonify Yang, and Chinese yam to nourish the Kidney and consolidate essence. It is used for deficiency of Kidney Yang, impotence, emission, frequent urination, and soreness and weakness of the waist and knees.
(2)Steamed Lu Rong Egg
0.5g of Lu Rong powder and 2 eggs.
Beat the eggs in a bowl and add Lu Rong powder, salt, and pepper to mix together. Steam until thoroughly cooked.
This recipe uses Lu Rong to nourish the Kidney and tonify Yang, and eggs to nourish blood. It is used on weakness and deficiency of Yang, insufficient essence and blood, impotence, nocturia, cold hands and feet, or low blood pressure.
(3)Ginseng, Lu Rong, and Chicken Soup
120g chicken breast or thigh meat, 12g red ginseng (or Korean ginseng), and 32g Lu Rong.
Clean the chicken and cut it into small pieces. Cut the ginseng into slices. Put all the ingredients in a stewing pot, add enough water, cover, and stew over low heat for 3 hours until the soup is ready to drink.
This soup is suitable for serious illness or blood loss, exhaustion of Kidney essence due to excessive sexual activity, and cold limbs and infertility. It can greatly promote Qi and warm and strengthen Kidney Yang.
(4) Lu Rong, Huai Shan, and Bamboo Chicken Soup
4g of Lu Rong, 40g of Chinese yam, and 120g of bamboo chicken.
Have Lu Rong and Chinese yam well clensed, and remove the skin of the chicken and clean it thoroughly before cutting it into pieces. Cook the chicken in boiling water for 5 minutes, then cool it down with cold water. Put all the ingredients in a stewing pot, add enough water, cover, and stew over low heat for 2-3 hours until the soup is ready.
This soup has the effect of warming and strengthening kidney Yang and consolidating and stopping excessive discharge.
How to choose Lu Rong?
(1)Lu Rong
Real Lu Rong is light in weight, hard and brittle in texture, with a slight fishy odor and a salty taste. There are usually one or two branches, with reddish-brown outer skin, glossy, and covered with red, yellow, or brownish-yellow fine hairs. The skin is tightly attached and not easy to peel off.
The best Lu Rong is thick, sturdy, round-topped, finely soft-haired, and reddish-yellow in color, with a reddish-brown skin color and a shiny sheen. Fake Lu Rong is heavy in weight, tough in texture, not easy to cut, with a weak odor, soluble in wate that looks cloudy.
(2)Lu Rong Slices
Lu Rong slices are round or oval in shape, with a diameter of about 3 cm and a reddish-brown outer skin.
The best Lu Rong slices are light in weight, honeycombed on the cut surface, with dense tissue. Fake Lu Rong slices are also round, but uneven in thickness, with a diameter of 1.5-3.5 cm, grayish-brown outer skin, and short hairs. The cut surface is brownish purple without honeycomb-shaped pores, but occasional round spots. The outer skin of the fake Lurong can be easily peeled off.
How to buy Lu Rong?
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