• Natural source of IGF-1 and growth hormones
• Proven faster recovery from physical exertion and injury
• Provides nutritional support for bone and joint structure and function
• Higher energy levels
• Increase muscular strength, endurance and lean body mass
• Build a powerful immune system
• Look and feel younger
• More youthful skin and hair
• Enhance Sexual Functioning for both men and women

Products from the deer have an extensive use in Daoist practice. From A Hermit’s Pharmacopoeia: Or Primary Botanical, Animal, and Mineral Sources for Survival and Bigu to Battle Corpse-Worm Infestation & Chu Pathogens

http://www.scribd.com/doc/16871314/A-Hermits-Pharmacopoeia-Or-Primary-Botanical-Animal-and-Mineral-Sources-for-Survival-and-Bigu-to-Battle-CorpseWorm-Infestation-Chu-Pathogens

Odocoileus spp. Dried venison, and wine, are often in old adept descriptions, which Levy interprets as representing their wild, carnivorous and perhaps licentious behavior. The dietary regimens often allow for only dried meats, sometimes explicitly only dried venison, though these become less frequent as Buddhist vegetarian notions crept into Daoism. Deer parts are often used extensively in Chinese medicines, and deer antler honey is a precious tonic. Some major types:  Deer malujiao (red deer antler)", "Meihualujiao (sika deer antler)", "Lujiao tuopan (dropped disk of antler)." The Tomb Epitaph of the Recluse the honorable Mr. Chen, Master Deer Leather, of Dongyang in the Yuan exemplifies some tough, mountain-man hermit in a rough leather-skin outfit. “He wore a Daoist cap and cut up deer leather for clothes, and planted medicinal herbs” and “People called him Master Deer Leather, for he wore clothes made of deer leather, which signified his intention to be a recluse.” The Daoist and certain tantric sages seem to prefer deer skin for meditation rugs as exemplified in numerous artworks. Some have speculated about the relationship between Amanita muscaria and the spots on the Axis deer, and the spotted deer is symbolically linked to magic fruits and immortality.

 Dr. Dharmananda is quoted extensively below for his discussion on deer antler to nourish blood, bone and joints.

“The story of deer antler can be traced back to the first Chinese Materia Medica, Shennong Bencao Jing (ca. 100 A.D.), where it is described briefly (1). There is also reference to earlier use of deer antler in an archeological find (a set of silk scrolls named Wushier Bingfang, from a tomb dated 168 B.C.). However, use of antler appears to have been infrequent until the animals were raised on "deer farms" starting in the mid-16th Century in China (Ming Dynasty period). This is a time when several other cultivation and animal husbandry projects were established in support of medicine. Soon after, Wu Kun included a formula in his book Yi Fang Kao (Study of Prescriptions, 1584) that has inspired much work with the combination of deer antler and tortoise shell, two bone-like materials rich in gelatins. His formula is Gui Lu Erxian Jiao (gui = tortoise, lu = deer, erxian = two immortals; jiao = gelatin). The formula is made as a firm gelatin, using the following recipe (proportioned to the amount being made):

This formula is said to replenish yin and essence, tonify qi, and strengthen yang. It is used for deficiency of kidney yin and yang, deficiency of blood and essence in the penetrating and conception vessels, with symptoms of weakness of the lower back and legs, impotence, blurred vision, etc. (2). The penetrating vessel, (chongmai), one of the extra meridians, is referred to as the "sea of blood." The conception vessel (renmai), while sometimes associated with reproduction, is related to generation more broadly, including generation of blood. Tortoise shell and deer antler are said to nourish the marrow.”