Lù Róng (鹿茸), known in English as Velvet antler (Cervus nippon (velvet antler)), is a warm, sweet and salty Chinese herb from the Tonify yang category. It enters the Kidney and Liver channels. Its main action: strongly tonifies Kidney Yang, replenishes Jing and marrow.
| Pinyin | Lù Róng (Lu Rong) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 鹿茸 |
| English | Velvet antler |
| Botanical name | Cervus nippon (velvet antler) |
| Category | Tonify yang |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Sweet, Salty |
| Channels | Kidney, Liver |
| Dosage | 1–2g (powder or dissolved) |
| Cautions | Yin deficiency with Heat; febrile disease; haemorrhage; hypertension |
Actions
- Strongly tonifies Kidney Yang, replenishes Jing and marrow
- Strengthens sinews and bones
- Tonifies du mai, regulates Chong and Ren
- Promotes healing of chronic sores
Indications
- Kidney Yang and Jing deficiency: impotence, infertility, cold limbs
- Deficiency of du mai
- Chronic non-healing sores
How to remember Lù Róng
Tonify yang herbs are mostly warm or hot and sweet, and most enter the Kidney and Liver channels.
- You can work these out
- Warm, Sweet: like most Tonify yang herbs
- Kidney channel: from its action “Strongly tonifies Kidney Yang”
- Liver channel: from its action “Strengthens sinews and bones”
- Learn by heart
- Salty: unusual for Tonify yang herbs (most are sweet)
Other Tonify yang herbs
- Dù Zhòng
- Xiān Máo
- Yín Yáng Huò
- Bǔ Gǔ Zhī
- Tù Sī Zǐ
- Bā Jǐ Tiān
- Suǒ Yáng
- Xù Duàn
- Ròu Cōng Róng
- Dōng Chóng Xià Cǎo
- Hé Táo Rén
- Shā Yuàn Zǐ
- Yì Zhì Rén
- Lù Jiǎo Jiāo
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Lù Róng?
Lù Róng is warm and sweet and salty.
Which channels does Lù Róng enter?
Lù Róng enters the Kidney and Liver channels.
What are the actions of Lù Róng?
Strongly tonifies Kidney Yang, replenishes Jing and marrow; Strengthens sinews and bones; Tonifies du mai, regulates Chong and Ren; Promotes healing of chronic sores.
What is Lù Róng used for?
Kidney Yang and Jing deficiency: impotence, infertility, cold limbs; deficiency of du mai; chronic non-healing sores.
Practise Lù Róng and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.