Deer Velvet: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Deer velvet covers the growing bone and cartilage that becomes deer antlers. It's sometimes used as medicine in Western countries.

Deer velvet contains multiple substances including the female sex hormones estrone and estradiol. It also contains substances that might help cells grow and function.

People use deer velvet for athletic performance, high blood pressure, increasing sexual desire, asthma, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Uses & Effectiveness

We currently have no information for Deer Velvet overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Deer velvet is possibly safe when used for up to 12 weeks. But there isn't enough reliable information to know what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Deer velvet is possibly safe when used for up to 12 weeks. But there isn't enough reliable information to know what the side effects might be.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if deer velvet is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Deer velvet might act like estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, don't use deer velvet.

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Estrogens interacts with Deer Velvet
Deer velvet contains a small amount of hormones. Taking deer velvet along with estrogen pills might change the effects of estrogen pills.
Birth control pills (Contraceptive drugs) interacts with Deer Velvet
Some birth control pills contain the hormone estrogen. Deer velvet contains hormones. Taking deer velvet along with birth control pills might change the effects of birth control pills. If you take birth control pills along with deer velvet, use an additional form of birth control such as a condom.

Dosing

There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of deer velvet might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.

View References

REFERENCES:

Bensky D, Gamble A, Kaptchuk T. Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica. Seattle, WA: Eastland Press. 1996;483-5.

Huang KC. The pharmacology of Chinese herbs. 2nd ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1999;266-7.

Kim HS, Lim HK, Park WK. Antinarcotic effects of the velvet antler water extract on morphine in mice (abstract). J Ethnopharmacol 1999;66:41-9.

Goldsmith LA. The velvet case. Arch Dermatol 1988;124:768.

Anon. Human clinical trials show significant results for New Zealand deer antler velvet's effect on sports performance. www.prnewswire.com (Accessed 7 March 2000).

Ko KM, Yip TT, Tsao SW, et al. Epidermal growth factor from deer (Cervus elaphus) submaxillary gland and velvet antler (abstract). Gen Comp Endocrinol 1986;3:431-40.

Conaglen, H. M., Suttie, J. M., and Conaglen, J. V. Effect of deer velvet on sexual function in men and their partners: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Arch Sex Behav. 2003;32(3):271-278.

Sleivert, G., Burke, V., Palmer, C., Walmsley, A., Gerrard, D., Haines, S., and Littlejohn, R. The effects of deer antler velvet extract or powder supplementation on aerobic power, erythropoiesis, and muscular strength and endurance characteristics. Int J Sport Nutr.Exerc.Metab 2003;13(3):251-265.

Bubenik, G. A., Miller, K. V., Lister, A. L., Osborn, D. A., Bartos, L., and van der Kraak, G. J. Testosterone and estradiol concentrations in serum, velvet skin, and growing antler bone of male white-tailed deer. J Exp Zoolog.A Comp Exp Biol 3-1-2005;303(3):186-192.

Zhang P, Guo Z, Ma L, Wang G, Zhao Y. Investigation of anti-fatigue effect and simultaneous determination of eight nucleosides in different parts of velvet antler in red deer and sika deer. Chem Biodivers. 2020 Feb;17(2):e1900512.

Haines SR, McCann MJ, Grosvenor AJ, Thomas A, Noble A, Clerens S. ACE inhibitory peptides in standard and fermented deer velvet: an in silico and in vitro investigation. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019 Dec 5;19(1):350.

Li Q, Zhang L, Qian X, et al. Efficacy of Chinese herbal prescriptions containing Ejiao or Velvet antler for management of uterine fibroids: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Ann Palliat Med 2021;10(8):8772-86.

Cheng WJ, Yang HT, Chiang CC, et al. Deer Velvet Antler Extracts Exert Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Arthritic Effects on Human Rheumatoid Arthritis Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes and Distinct Mouse Arthritis. Am J Chin Med 2022;50(6):1617-1643.

Yoo J, Lee J, Zhang M, et al. Enhanced ?-aminobutyric acid and sialic acid in fermented deer antler velvet and immune promoting effects. J Anim Sci Technol 2022;64(1):166-182.

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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