Velvet antler: Difference between revisions
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Most of the world's supply of velvet antler comes from [[Sika deer]],[[red deer]] and [[Elk|elk or wapiti]], including a large deer farming industry in [[New Zealand]]. New Zealand is the world’s largest producer of deer velvet antler, producing 450-500 tons of deer velvet antler annually.<ref>(2015-09-15)[http://www.deernz.org/about-deer-industry/nz-deer-industry/deer-industry-statistics/velvet-production-and-pricing-trends#.VffOYcKFOM8 Velvet Pricing and Production Trends]. deernz.org</ref> China produces 400 tons annually. Russia produces 80 tons annually. United States and Canada each produce 20 tons annually.<ref>Kamen, Paul and Betty, The Remarkable Healing Power of Velvet Antler, Nutrition Encounter, Novato, California, 2003, p. 12</ref> |
Most of the world's supply of velvet antler comes from [[Sika deer]],[[red deer]] and [[Elk|elk or wapiti]], including a large deer farming industry in [[New Zealand]]. New Zealand is the world’s largest producer of deer velvet antler, producing 450-500 tons of deer velvet antler annually.<ref>(2015-09-15)[http://www.deernz.org/about-deer-industry/nz-deer-industry/deer-industry-statistics/velvet-production-and-pricing-trends#.VffOYcKFOM8 Velvet Pricing and Production Trends]. deernz.org</ref> China produces 400 tons annually. Russia produces 80 tons annually. United States and Canada each produce 20 tons annually.<ref>Kamen, Paul and Betty, The Remarkable Healing Power of Velvet Antler, Nutrition Encounter, Novato, California, 2003, p. 12</ref> |
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Traditionally, in Asia, the antler is dried and sold as slices. These slices are then boiled in water, usually with other herbs and ingredients, and consumed as tea |
In the West, velvet antler is dried, powdered, and consumed in capsule form as a dietary supplement. Traditionally, in Asia, the antler is dried and sold as slices. These slices are then boiled in water, usually with other herbs and ingredients, and consumed as tea. In the traditional commercial trade of Korea and China whole stick antler velvet is divided into three sections based upon their accepted benefits. These sections are known as the wax piece, the blood piece and the bone piece: "the wax piece is used as a growth tonic for children, the blood piece is used to treat arthritis and related disorders", and "the bone piece is used for calcium deficiency and geriatric therapies."<ref>Kamen, Paul and Betty, The Remarkable Healing Power of Velvet Antler, Nutrition Encounter, Novato, California, 2003, p. 32</ref> |
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Within the modern deer antler velvet industry there are three sections used to identify the composition of velvet antler. The tips, also known as the uppers, are generally from the end to the first fork and are found as any additional tines. The next section is the middles and goes from top fork to the next fork down the main shaft and is also found in the same range on advancer branches. Lastly is the bottoms which includes a flattened center section known as the trunk.<ref>Kamen, Paul and Betty, The Remarkable Healing Power of Velvet Antler, Nutrition Encounter, Novato, California, 2003, p. 31-34</ref> |
Within the modern deer antler velvet industry there are three sections used to identify the composition of velvet antler. The tips, also known as the uppers, are generally from the end to the first fork and are found as any additional tines. The next section is the middles and goes from top fork to the next fork down the main shaft and is also found in the same range on advancer branches. Lastly is the bottoms which includes a flattened center section known as the trunk.<ref>Kamen, Paul and Betty, The Remarkable Healing Power of Velvet Antler, Nutrition Encounter, Novato, California, 2003, p. 31-34</ref> |
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Revision as of 08:16, 15 September 2015
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Velvet antler refers to the whole cartilaginous antler in a precalcified stage, rather than the velvety "skin" on growing antlers. It is an ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine.
Moose, elk and deer produce new antlers yearly (primarily males, except in caribou/reindeer). In some countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, deer are subject to local anesthesia and restrained during antler removal, and the procedure is supervised by licensed veterinarians. Typically, the antler is cut off near the base after it is about two-thirds of its potential full size, between 55 to 65 days of growth, before any significant calcification occurs. The procedure is generally done around June in the Northern Hemisphere and December in the Southern Hemisphere.[1]
Exceptionally large elk antlers can weigh 50 lb (22.6 kg) for a pair. These grow rapidly from about March or April until July (again, Northern Hemisphere).
Most of the world's supply of velvet antler comes from Sika deer,red deer and elk or wapiti, including a large deer farming industry in New Zealand. New Zealand is the world’s largest producer of deer velvet antler, producing 450-500 tons of deer velvet antler annually.[2] China produces 400 tons annually. Russia produces 80 tons annually. United States and Canada each produce 20 tons annually.[3]
In the West, velvet antler is dried, powdered, and consumed in capsule form as a dietary supplement. Traditionally, in Asia, the antler is dried and sold as slices. These slices are then boiled in water, usually with other herbs and ingredients, and consumed as tea. In the traditional commercial trade of Korea and China whole stick antler velvet is divided into three sections based upon their accepted benefits. These sections are known as the wax piece, the blood piece and the bone piece: "the wax piece is used as a growth tonic for children, the blood piece is used to treat arthritis and related disorders", and "the bone piece is used for calcium deficiency and geriatric therapies."[4]
Within the modern deer antler velvet industry there are three sections used to identify the composition of velvet antler. The tips, also known as the uppers, are generally from the end to the first fork and are found as any additional tines. The next section is the middles and goes from top fork to the next fork down the main shaft and is also found in the same range on advancer branches. Lastly is the bottoms which includes a flattened center section known as the trunk.[5]
The product has been at the center of multiple controversies with famous athletes allegedly using it for performance enhancement purposes.[6] In September, 2013, the headquarters of SWATS, an infamous distributor of deer antler velvet spray and other controversial products, was raided and ordered to shut down by Alabama's attorney general citing "numerous serious and willful violations of Alabama’s deceptive trade practices act".[7][8]
References
- ^ Davidson, Alison, Velvet Antler, New Century Publishers, Connecticut , 2000, p. 76
- ^ (2015-09-15)Velvet Pricing and Production Trends. deernz.org
- ^ Kamen, Paul and Betty, The Remarkable Healing Power of Velvet Antler, Nutrition Encounter, Novato, California, 2003, p. 12
- ^ Kamen, Paul and Betty, The Remarkable Healing Power of Velvet Antler, Nutrition Encounter, Novato, California, 2003, p. 32
- ^ Kamen, Paul and Betty, The Remarkable Healing Power of Velvet Antler, Nutrition Encounter, Novato, California, 2003, p. 31-34
- ^ Spector D (2013-05-15). DEER ANTLER SPRAY: The Natural Supplement That Seems Too Good To Be True. BusinessInsider.com.
- ^ Galloway D (2013-09-05). "Sports Performance Company Ordered to Stop Selling 'Deer Antler Spray,' Other Products". WHNT.
- ^ Otano J (2013-09-05). "Ray Lewis' alleged deer antler supplier has office raided in Alabama". SI.com.