Basic Chinese Chicken Soup Stock (Soup Base)

Ingredient Name: Deer Antlers
 
Chinese Name:  鹿角 (lù jiǎo)
 
What is this?

• This is literally the antlers cut from a deer.
• It is considered one of the three staples of Chinese herbs (including ginseng and mushrooms) and has since become more popular in the Western world
• According to traditional chinese medicine, deer antlers prolong life, improve energy and protect the body.
• Deer antlers are considered a gelatinous ingredient and can add texture to your soups
• Typically, the male deer are not killed to harvest the antlers and, once harvested, they are able to grow new ones.

How do I prepare it?

• Wash thoroughly under running water before putting into your soup.

Where can I buy this?

• You can purchase dried and cut deer antlers from most chinese herb shops and some western health, naturopathic or alternative medicine shops

What is the cost?

• The price of deer antler is in the higher range and can vary greatly depending on the quality of the antler, where the antlers were acquired (China or New Zealand, among others) and which part of the antlers you buy.  Antler pieces cut closer to the bottom (conversely called the “tip”) are usually more expensive.

Any benefits?

• There are a wide variety of health benefits from consuming tonics and soups made with deer antler, including the above mentioned (prolonging your life, improving energy and protecting the body) plus nourishment of the internal organs, fortifying bones, reducing pain and inflammation, among many others.

Any precautions?

• Do not use or consume deer antlers when you have a fever.

References:

• http://www.deervelvetinformation.org/
• http://www.itmonline.org/arts/antler.htm
• http://www.qualitychineseherbs.com/herbal_ingredients/deer_antler.htm