How to Use Velvet Deer Antler

Deer come into velvet annually. These velvety antlers are prized in Chinese medicine, and are used to treat a variety of conditions. Manufacturers of velvet-antler preparations humanely harvest these horns from deer; the U.S. imports millions of dollars worth of antlers each year from New Zealand. Velvet antler come in preparations for treating stress, arthritis, inflammation and impotence. Manufacturers sell the antler as a general tonic. Little scientific evidence is available on the effects, benefits or dangers of antler velvet.

Instructions

• 1

  Ensure you are not pregnant or breastfeeding before taking this product; the safety of the supplement is not defined. Do not give velvet deer antler to children.

• 2

  Choose a product specifically tailored for your condition. The preparations might contain extra ingredients thought to have beneficial effects.

• 3

  Read the label on the bottle very carefully. Velvet antler comes in many forms. These include pills, teas, injections, powders, drinks and drops. The manufacturer's label generally indicates how much -- and how often -- the product should be taken. A typical dose is around 1 g of powder per day.

• 4

  Understand the risks of taking the product. Velvet antler is a dietary supplement, and does not undergo the same stringent tests and controls as a drug. The Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate dietary supplements; manufacturers do not have to prove that the dietary supplement is safe or effective before selling it in the U.S. The toxicity of the product is not very well known; it is believed that velvet antler causes stomach upset if taken in high doses.

• 5

  Research the efficacy of velvet antler before taking the product. Although some velvet antler products on the market are aimed at people suffering from arthritis, a 2008 University of Alberta study -- published by the Biological Research for Nursing Journal -- found that velvet-antler preparations from elk had no clinical effect on rheumatoid arthritis. A 2009 Veterinary Record journal review -- by the University of Liverpool -- did find that velvet antler from elk had a positive effect on dogs with osteoarthritis.

• 6

  Compare velvet antler to proven drugs before starting a treatment regimen for a health issue. Your doctor might prefer to prescribe a drug that has a proven, positive effect.

• 7

  Report any serious side effects -- such as a stomach ache that does not go away -- to your doctor.