THE MEDICINE WITH 2000 YEARS OF HISTORY
Oriental medicine shrouded in mystery and ancient beliefs, has been keeping Asians well for thousands of years, Fundamental to its practice is the use of Deer antler velvet.
The basis of this ancient medicine is the philosophy of Yin and Yang, cosmic forces which are said to control all natural phenomena and life processes. Both forces are dependant on each other and the ideal state within the body and within the universe is to have the forces in relative balance and harmony. Traditional Oriental medicine is used to keep the two in balance, preventing the ill health, which is said to result when severe imbalance occurs.
The most important animal to oriental medicine is the deer, because it is the animal with greatest Yang energy. And the most prized part of the deer is the antler velvet.
Dr Peter Yoon, a highly regarded doctor of Oriental medicine from Seoul South Korea, says the deer is recognised as a lucky animal, which brings health and longevity.
"Our Tradition has it that the God of longevity, who lived deep in the mountains, eats medicinal plants like Ginseng and is always accompanied by a spotted deer. We Koreans think that the spotted deer is one of the symbols of longevity, along with the Turtle and Crane" he says.
Samson Wong of the Tak Tai Ginseng Firm, Hong Kong, says Asians take velvet as a tonic to maintain good health, cure sickness and strengthen a weakened body. He says velvet is both a tradition and a medication because the Yin and Yang theory encompasses every aspect of Asian life. Yin and Yang have their own domains within the human body, he says. Half the vital organs pertain to Yin and the other half is part of Yang. For example Yin governs blood and Yang controls "Qui" (energy). Blood carries nourishment through out the body to produce Qui, while Qui is the force which carries blood throughout the body." Mr Wong says, In Chinese medicine, velvet antler is the main medicine for increased blood flow. This includes blood volume and it's components as well as blood flow, he says. When blood is increased then more energy will be generated and the body will be maintained in better health.
Oriental Medicine also differs from the scientific western approach in that it is based on the promotion of health and prevention of illness through righting the Yin and Yang balance, rather than concentrating on treating sicknesses.
Often a doctor is only paid when the patient is well, not sick - a practice which probably wouldn't be greeted with enthusiasm by Western medical professionals.
According to journalist Lee Cho-Ho writing in "Asiana" magazine, the Oriental doctor does not simply look at the patient's symptoms when prescribing a treatment, he also takes into full consideration many other things such as the patients constitution, medical history, age, possible side effects and even the patients physical appearance and personality.
Dr Yoon confirms this. He says the pulse and visual appearance of the patient are keys to prescribing the correct tonic. "When a disease appears in one part of the body, oriental medicine does not limit it's treatment to that part alone but treats the entire body and works to achieve an ideal physiological and spiritual balance, thereby bringing about a complete cure and a return to total health" Mr Cho Ho says.
"In Oriental Medicine man kind is thought of as Natures most special creation," indeed as a representation in miniature of the universe as a whole, and practitioners of Oriental medicine work to bring the cosm of the human body into accord with the macrocosm (universe)"
The first documented evidence of the use of Velvet as a health tonic was found on a silk scroll recovered from a Han Tomb in Hunan province, China. The scroll is believed to be around 2000 years old and suggests several significant medical treatments and prescriptions for m52 different diseases. Since three deer carcasses were found in the tomb, some believe this indicated that deer farming was already practised during the Han Dynasty (202 B.C to 200 A.D.) for meat and possibly also for medicine. Some 200 years later further reference to the use of deer parts and velvet was made in a book called Shin Nong Bon Cho Kyung.
An English translation of an excerpt from the book reveals some of the health problems velvet and velvet products were used to overcome 1800 years ago. " Deer Velvet tastes sweet and its property is warm. It is used for reinforcing vital energy strengthening memory and will, generating teeth, curing persistent vaginal blood discharge, lochia (discharge following childbirth) and treating fever and epilepsy.
"Deer Velvet cures sores, carbuncles (boils), expels pathogens as well as retained blood in the uterus. It is also used for treating consumptive disease and illness caused by over exertion, lumbago, excessive loss of weight, repairing the body, reinforcing vital energy, curing infertility, stopping pain and preventing miscarriage, Prolonged consumption would keep the body light and extend longevity".
Some 1,800 years later, velvet is still being used to prevent and right many ills in Asia.
Westerners on the other hand, have only recently begun to make use of this ancient remedy and tonic. Most have been unwilling to take it seriously because of the notion that it is an aphrodisiac. In a sexual context, Mr Wong says velvet is used to remedy sexual disorders in men such as impotence, premature ejaculation and watery semen, but few users claim any aphrodisiac effects.
He says velvet is used to increase the blood, remedy kidney deficiency and gastro-intestinal disorders, to improve low blood pressure and eliminate anaemia. It is also used to promote rapid healing by aiding the regeneration of damaged tissue, to treat menstrual disorders and menopause in women. To relieve lumbago and improve weak bones and sinews.
Dr Yoon often prescribes velvet at the Choon Won Dang clinic in Seoul. He says it is mostly consumed in spring and Autumn and is often prescribed with a mixture of other herbal medicines, commonly served as soup.
Velvet antler is divided into four sections, classified according to the different composition of each section. Each section has different uses. The two upper sections are used as preventative medicines or tonics for children and young people while the middle portion is used in the treatment of arthritis and osteomyelitis. The lower part is regarded as being of particular benefit to older people subject to calcium deficiency.
In Dr Yoon's clinic about 70 percent of velvet consumers are children who are prescribed it as a tonic to improve growth, He says it is very popular for Mothers in Korea to bring their babies to the doctor soon after their first birthday.
We have experimental results, which show deer velvet has a good effect in preventing respiratory disease such as influenza. Also when a pregnant women takes velvet powder during childbirth, it is very helpful for an easy delivery", he says.
Dr Lee Sang-In of Kyung-Hee University, South Korea says velvet is also used to treat infertility in women and promote skin growth where there has been long-lasting infection. Liver problems and high Cholesterol levels can also be alleviated with velvet" he says.
Because it is a product of the precious Deer, the greatest source of Yang energy, velvet will always be a valuable component of Oriental Medicine.