Evidence supporting the use of: Deer velvet
For the health condition: Energy (lack of)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Deer velvet has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for centuries, primarily as a tonic to support vitality, stamina, and energy, especially in cases of fatigue or general weakness. The use of deer velvet (also called "lu rong") is rooted in the belief that it can nourish the body's vital energy (Qi) and support the kidneys, which are thought to govern energy and longevity in TCM theory. Historical texts describe deer velvet as a restorative ingredient for people recovering from illness, the elderly, or those experiencing weariness.
However, scientific validation for its energizing effects is limited. While some animal studies and small human trials suggest deer velvet may have mild adaptogenic or anti-fatigue properties, the evidence is weak and often not directly related to subjective energy in healthy individuals. Most clinical studies are small, not well-controlled, or focus on populations with specific health issues rather than general fatigue or low energy. As such, the contemporary use of deer velvet for energy is primarily supported by tradition, with only low-quality or indirect scientific evidence available.
Other ingredients used for Energy (lack of)
7-Keto-DHEAAcai berry
Acetyl L-carnitine
adenosine 5-triphosphate disodium (ATP)
Alpha D-ribofuranose
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
amino acids
amylopectin
ashwagandha
aspartic acid
beta-alanine
biotin
black pepper
bасора
caffeine
capsaicinoids
coconut milk
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
coffee fruit
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
eleuthero
folate
fructose
ginseng
greens blend (proprietary)
guarana
guayusa
L-alanyl-L-glutamine
l-carnitine
L-glutamine
L-glycine
L-leucine
l-tyrosine
maca
magnesium
malic acid
maltodextrin
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
Microbial enzymes (proprietary)
Milk
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
Nettle
pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
pollen
protein
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
Rhodiola
rosemary
sage
shiitake mushroom
black ginger
Sphaeranthus indicus
spirulina
succinic acid
Tongkat ali
Almond fruit
vegetable blend (proprietary)
velvet bean
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
Whey protein
Zinc
suma
jiaogulan
alpinia galangal
commiphora
bee pollen
lemongrass
siler root
cistanche
sweet flag
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
trace minerals
Yerba mate
wheat germ
Algae
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
Aralia
Akebia
Alpha polylactate
antler
Agastache
arginine creatine
Ardisia
Arginine malate
anamu
Areca
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Algal protein
Amor seco
Arginine silicate
atractylone
animal protein
beta phenethylalamine
blackthorn
beta-hydroxybutyrate
Beef liver
bovine protein
berry
ba ji tian
borassus palm
Borassus aethiopum
banana
baobab
borneol
chia seed
coconut
Cinnamomum
Coenzyme A
coconut oil
Codonopsis
Cynomorium
catecholamine
Chlorophytum
chuchuhuasi
curcumen
coca
chicken
cola nut
Dendrobium
deer root
deer velvet
dragonhead
dextrates
D-Ribose
dextrose
eurycomanone
Erodium cicutarium
egg
elk antler
Eurycoma Longifolia
Ethyl-Alpha-Guanido-Methyl-Ethanoate
ecdysterone
ephedrine
Egg protein
fungus
gamma-butyrobetaine
GMS-ribose
glucose
Guaranine
garden cress
Higenamine
Herb Robert
Ilex
jungli-bean
kola nut
ketone salts
ketosterones
lipids
macamides
maral root
Milk Protein
Methylliberine
Mushroom
Ming Dang Shen
macaenes
Oroxylum indicum
Orchis latifolia
oxaloacetic acid
Osha
ornithine L-aspartic acid
pyrroloquinoline quinone
paraxanthine
Phytoecdysteroid
Plankton
Pseudostellaria
Polygonatum
peanut
Petiveria
Rubiaceae
Rubia yunnanensis
ribose
robusta coffee
Sichuan Lovage
Synephrine
Sulbutiamine
Southern Tsangshu
Shellfish
Safed musli
Sarivan
Sida cordifolia
Terminalia
Theobromine
Tea
Thylakoid
Trichilia catigua
Trichopus zeylanicus
Theacrine
Teacrine
Wheat
Wulinshen
Yuzu
Zingiberene
Zedoary
Other health conditions supported by deer velvet
Adrenal FatigueAthletic and Exercise Aids
Body Building
Debility
Energy (lack of)
Fatigue
Injuries
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Nervous Exhaustion
Post Partum Weakness
Wasting
Wounds and Sores