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)
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione7-Keto-DHEA
Acai berry
Acetyl L-carnitine
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
adenosine 5-triphosphate disodium (ATP)
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Agastache
Akebia
Algae
Algal protein
Almond fruit
Alpha D-ribofuranose
Alpha polylactate
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
alpinia galangal
amino acids
Amor seco
anamu
animal protein
antler
Aralia
Ardisia
Areca
arginine creatine
Arginine malate
Arginine silicate
ashwagandha
aspartic acid
atractylone
ba ji tian
banana
baobab
bee pollen
Beef liver
berry
beta phenethylalamine
beta-alanine
beta-hydroxybutyrate
biotin
black ginger
black pepper
blackthorn
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
borneol
bovine protein
bасора
caffeine
capsaicinoids
catecholamine
chia seed
Chlorophytum
chuchuhuasi
Cinnamomum
cistanche
coca
coconut
coconut milk
coconut oil
Codonopsis
Coenzyme A
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
coffee fruit
cola nut
commiphora
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
curcumen
Cynomorium
D-Ribose
deer root
deer velvet
Dendrobium
dextrates
dextrose
dragonhead
ecdysterone
egg
Egg protein
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
eleuthero
elk antler
ephedrine
Erodium cicutarium
Ethyl-Alpha-Guanido-Methyl-Ethanoate
Eurycoma Longifolia
eurycomanone
folate
fungus
gamma-butyrobetaine
garden cress
ginseng
glucose
GMS-ribose
greens blend (proprietary)
guarana
Guaranine
guayusa
Herb Robert
Higenamine
Ilex
jiaogulan
jungli-bean
ketone salts
ketosterones
kola nut
L-alanyl-L-glutamine
l-carnitine
L-glutamine
L-glycine
L-leucine
l-tyrosine
lemongrass
lipids
maca
macaenes
macamides
magnesium
malic acid
maral root
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
Methylliberine
Microbial enzymes (proprietary)
Milk
Milk Protein
Ming Dang Shen
Mushroom
Nettle
Orchis latifolia
ornithine L-aspartic acid
Oroxylum indicum
Osha
oxaloacetic acid
pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
paraxanthine
peanut
Petiveria
Phytoecdysteroid
Plankton
pollen
Polygonatum
protein
Pseudostellaria
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
pyrroloquinoline quinone
Rhodiola
ribose
robusta coffee
rosemary
Rubia yunnanensis
Rubiaceae
Safed musli
sage
Sarivan
shiitake mushroom
Sichuan Lovage
Sida cordifolia
siler root
Southern Tsangshu
Sphaeranthus indicus
spirulina
succinic acid
Sulbutiamine
suma
sweet flag
Synephrine
Tea
Teacrine
Terminalia
Theacrine
Theobromine
Thylakoid
Tongkat ali
trace minerals
Trichilia catigua
Trichopus zeylanicus
vegetable blend (proprietary)
velvet bean
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
Wheat
wheat germ
Whey protein
Wulinshen
Yerba mate
Yuzu
Zedoary
Zinc
Zingiberene
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