Key Features of Animal TCM: Functions, Energetics, and Unique Properties
While herbal medicine often dominates discussions around Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the use of animal-derived substances plays an important and historical role in many classical formulas. From deer antler velvet to ox bezoar, animal TCM ingredients are known for their potent therapeutic effects, often used in conditions that require strong or immediate intervention.
In this article, we will explore the key features of animal-based materials in TCM, including their functions, energetics, and unique properties — and how Qianbu, a modern TCM-focused health company, ensures the ethical sourcing, scientific formulation, and safe application of these powerful remedies.
The Role of Animal Substances in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Animal ingredients have been used in TCM for thousands of years. Unlike plant-based herbs, which tend to act more gently and gradually, animal substances are often more concentrated in nature, providing stronger tonifying, activating, or detoxifying effects.
They are typically used for:
Replenishing essence (Jing) and marrow
Warming the yang and invigorating life force
Expelling toxins or phlegm
Opening the orifices in cases of stroke or loss of consciousness
Alleviating spasms or convulsions
Due to their strength, these substances are usually prescribed in small amounts, often alongside herbal components that regulate or balance their intensity.
Common Animal-Derived TCM Ingredients and Their Functions
1. Lu Rong (Deer Antler Velvet)
Nature: Warm
Flavor: Sweet and salty
Channels Entered: Kidney, Liver
Functions: Strongly tonifies Kidney Yang, strengthens bones and sinews, replenishes essence and marrow. Used for developmental delays in children, sexual dysfunction, and general frailty.
Qianbu’s approach: Ensures sustainable sourcing from reputable deer farms and processes velvet using low-temperature extraction to preserve potency.
2. Niu Huang (Bezoar)
Nature: Cool
Flavor: Bitter
Channels Entered: Heart, Liver
Functions: Clears heat and toxins, opens sensory orifices, stops tremors and convulsions. Used in formulas for febrile diseases with delirium or coma.
Qianbu’s sourcing: Due to ethical considerations, modern products often use synthetic or lab-cultured equivalents that mimic the traditional properties.
3. She Xiang (Musk)
Nature: Warm
Flavor: Acrid
Channels Entered: Heart, Liver, Spleen
Functions: Powerfully opens orifices, revives consciousness, moves blood and alleviates pain. Used in emergency stroke or trauma formulas.
Modern usage: Highly restricted due to conservation concerns. Qianbu supports plant-based analogs or substitutes when appropriate.
4. Ge Jie (Gecko)
Nature: Neutral
Flavor: Salty
Channels Entered: Lung, Kidney
Functions: Tonifies Lung and Kidney, supports respiratory function, enhances sexual performance.
Used for: Chronic cough, asthma, or impotence due to deficiency.
5. Wu Gong (Centipede)
Nature: Warm and toxic
Flavor: Acrid
Channels Entered: Liver
Functions: Strongly unblocks channels, expels wind, stops spasms. Often used in cases of stubborn migraines or hemiplegia.
Handled with caution due to its toxicity — Qianbu applies rigorous purification methods.
Energetics of Animal TCM Substances
In TCM theory, all substances carry energetic properties that affect how they interact with the body. Animal products are no exception — in fact, their vital nature and high potency make their energetic direction particularly important.
Key energetic traits of animal TCM include:
Yang-tonifying: Many animal products are warm and invigorating, especially those affecting the Kidney and Spleen.
Essence-replenishing: Substances like deer antler or placenta (Zi He Che) nourish Jing, the core essence responsible for growth, fertility, and aging.
Wind-extinguishing: Certain animal products, such as scorpions or centipedes, calm internal wind, which can cause tremors, seizures, or stroke symptoms.
Orifice-opening: Musk and bezoar are known to “wake up the spirit” in coma or shock conditions.
The combination with herbs is crucial: balancing warm animal ingredients with cool herbs, or combining toxic ones with detoxifying agents ensures both safety and effectiveness.
Ethical Considerations and Modern Innovation at Qianbu
In the modern age, the use of animal-based ingredients in TCM raises important ethical, environmental, and regulatory questions. As a responsible leader in the TCM and health industry, Qianbu is committed to:
Sustainable sourcing from approved farms and legal supply chains
Use of synthetics or plant-based substitutes when possible
Strict quality control and lab testing for safety and efficacy
Compliance with international conservation and health
regulations
Transparent education to help customers make informed health decisions
By combining classical wisdom with modern technology, Qianbu helps preserve the heritage of animal TCM while respecting contemporary values and global standards.
When to Use Animal TCM — and When Not To
Animal-derived substances are not for casual or self-diagnosed use. Their strength and complexity require professional TCM diagnosis to ensure the formula matches the individual’s constitution and pattern of imbalance.
These materials are commonly used for:
Severe depletion of yang or essence
Chronic respiratory conditions
Neurological or stroke recovery
Toxic infections or high fever (with coma)
Sexual dysfunction from Kidney deficiency
However, they should be avoided in cases of:
Active infections with excess heat
Pregnancy (in most cases)
Children or the elderly without clear diagnosis
Ethical or dietary restrictions (such as veganism)
Qianbu works closely with licensed herbalists and healthcare providers to ensure the right formula for the right condition—and offers alternatives where suitable.
Conclusion
Animal-derived materials in Traditional Chinese Medicine are powerful tools rooted in thousands of years of healing practice. They offer unique benefits not easily replicated by plant-based herbs, especially for conditions requiring deep nourishment, revitalization, or acute intervention.
At the same time, the responsible use of these substances is essential in a world that values both tradition and sustainability. Qianbu is leading the way in ensuring that animal TCM is used ethically, safely, and intelligently—preserving both health and harmony.
