Natural Herb Library

Deer Horn Gelatin

Chinese
鹿角胶
Pinyin
Lu Jiao Jiao
Latin
Cervi Cornus Colla
Scientific specimen plate of Gelatin of Buckhorn, Cervi Cornus Colla, showing refined gelatin slabs, flakes, dissolved preparation, mature deer horn source context, and diagnostic material details.
Botanical plate by Kodi .

Known in TCM as Lu Jiao Jiao (鹿角胶), this sweet and salty, warm herb enters the Liver and Kidney. Traditionally, it warms the Liver and Kidneys and supplements essence and blood - Lu Jiao Jiao is used for constitutional cold weakness, depleted jing, and lower-back or knee soreness, most often applied for kidney yang deficiency, menorrhagia, and low back pain. Modern research has identified Gelatinized among its active constituents.

Also Known As

Buckhorn Gelatin Deer-Horn Glue

Latin: Cervi Cornus Colla | Pinyin: Lu Jiao Jiao | Chinese: 鹿角胶

TCM Properties

Taste
sweet, salty
Temperature
warm
Channels
Liver, Kidney

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Warms the Liver and Kidneys and supplements essence and blood - Lu Jiao Jiao is used for constitutional cold weakness, depleted jing, and lower-back or knee soreness.
  • Stops bleeding in deficiency-cold patterns - traditional use includes uterine bleeding or chronic spotting when warming containment is needed beneath the surface loss.
  • Strengthens sinews and bones - the dense processed glue is selected when deep deficiency affects structural recovery and lower-body strength.

Secondary Actions

  • Compared with raw deer horn, Lu Jiao Jiao is more nourishing and less outwardly dispersing because the horn has been condensed into a rich gelatin.
  • It is usually used in formulas for chronic depletion rather than for short-term symptom suppression.

Classic Formulas

  • Guilu Erxian Jiao - classic deer-and-tortoise glue formula lineage for deep jing, blood, and bone depletion.
  • Kidney-Yang and Chong-Ren deficiency formulas with Shu Di Huang, Dang Gui, or Ai Ye - traditional strategy when lumbar weakness and uterine bleeding coexist.
  • You Gui Wan-style modifications - warming-essence approach when richer deer support is needed inside a broader Kidney-Yang formula.

Classical References

  • Traditional teaching places Lu Jiao Jiao with warm deer medicinals that supplement Liver-Kidney essence while also helping secure chronic cold-type bleeding.
  • Processing logic is central: the condensed gelatin form is understood as denser, richer, and more blood-nourishing than plain horn material.

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Gelatinized collagen fractions - the dominant structural material in processed deer-horn glue
  • Protein and peptide residues - supportive constituents discussed indirectly through broader deer-horn research
  • Mineral residues including calcium- and phosphorus-containing fractions - plausible contributors to bone-oriented traditional use

Studied Effects

  • Direct indexed modern research on Lu Jiao Jiao itself is sparse, and most available data concern deer horn or deer antler more broadly rather than the refined gelatin drug.
  • Modern interpretation therefore remains driven mainly by traditional processing logic, source identity, and extrapolation from broader deer-material research rather than herb-specific clinical trials.

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Yin deficiency with heat or effulgent fire
  • Hot-pattern bleeding
  • Unverified animal source

Cautions

  • Use during pregnancy should be clinician-guided because this is a rich warming animal gelatin, not a casual food.
  • Most modern evidence is indirect and extrapolated from broader deer-horn literature rather than Lu Jiao Jiao specifically.
  • Animal-derived source verification and legal, sanitary processing standards are essential.

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Deer Horn Gelatin used for?

Deer Horn Gelatin is traditionally used to Warms the Liver and Kidneys and supplements essence and blood - Lu Jiao Jiao is used for constitutional cold weakness, depleted jing, and lower-back or knee soreness., Stops bleeding in deficiency-cold patterns - traditional use includes uterine bleeding or chronic spotting when warming containment is needed beneath the surface loss., Strengthens sinews and bones - the dense processed glue is selected when deep deficiency affects structural recovery and lower-body strength.. Research has investigated its effects on: Direct indexed modern research on Lu Jiao Jiao itself is sparse, and most available data concern deer horn or deer antler more broadly rather than the refined gelatin drug.; Modern interpretation therefore remains driven mainly by traditional processing logic, source identity, and extrapolation from broader deer-material research rather than herb-specific clinical trials..

What are other names for Deer Horn Gelatin?

Deer Horn Gelatin is also known as Buckhorn Gelatin, Deer-Horn Glue. In TCM: 鹿角胶 (Lu Jiao Jiao); Cervi Cornus Colla.

Is Deer Horn Gelatin safe during pregnancy?

The safety of Deer Horn Gelatin during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.

What are the contraindications for Deer Horn Gelatin?

Deer Horn Gelatin should not be used in: Yin deficiency with heat or effulgent fire; Hot-pattern bleeding; Unverified animal source. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.