Deer velvet covers the growing bone and cartilage that becomes deer antlers. It’s sometimes used as medicine in Western countries.

Deer velvet contains multiple substances including the female sex hormones estrone and estradiol. It also contains substances that might help cells grow and function.

People use deer velvet for athletic performance, high blood pressure, increasing sexual desire, asthma, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

There is interest in using deer velvet for a number of purposes, but there isn’t enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

When taken by mouth: Deer velvet is possibly safe when used for up to 12 weeks. But there isn’t enough reliable information to know what the side effects might be.

Special precautions & warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn’t enough reliable information to know if deer velvet is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Deer velvet might act like estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, don’t use deer velvet.

Minor

Be watchful with this combination.

Birth control pills (Contraceptive drugs)

Some birth control pills contain the hormone estrogen. Deer velvet contains hormones. Taking deer velvet along with birth control pills might change the effects of birth control pills. If you take birth control pills along with deer velvet, use an additional form of birth control such as a condom.

Estrogens

Deer velvet contains a small amount of hormones. Taking deer velvet along with estrogen pills might change the effects of estrogen pills.

There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.

There are no known interactions with foods.

There isn’t enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of deer velvet might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.

Andouiller de Cerf, Antler Velvet, Bois de Cerf, Bois de Cerf Rouge, Bois de Chevreuil, Bois de Velours, Bois de Wapiti, Cervus elaphus, Cervus nippon, Cornu Cervi Parvum, Deer Antler, Deer Antler Velvet, Elk Antler, Elk Antler Velvet, Horns of Gold, Lu Rong, Nokyong, Rokujo, Terciopelo de Cuerno de Venado, Velours de Cerf, Velvet Antler, Velvet Dear Antler, Velvet of Young Deer Horn.

To learn more about how this article was written, please see the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database methodology.

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