Deer penis
Encyclopedia
In traditional Chinese medicine
, a deer
penis
(Chinese
: 鹿鞭) is said to have important therapeutic properties. Deer penis and powdered deer penis is commonly sold in Chinese pharmacies. Like turtle's blood and penis, deer penis is also popular in Taiwan
and is one of the "delicacies" served in large jars in Snake Alley
, Taipei
. It is also served on the Chinese mainland in restaurants such as the Guo Li Zhuang
.
The deer penis is typically very large and, proponents claim, for it to retain its properties it must be extracted from the deer whilst still alive. Often it is then sliced into small pieces, typically by women and then roasted and dried in the sun and then preserved while the deer looks on.
The tradition of consuming the penis of the animal is not just related to Chinese history. The ancient Romans were known to consume the anatomy of a number of different animals for their purported health benefits. The Mayans were also known to extract the penis of the deer and to roast it.Hippocrates
recommended consuming deer penis to resolve sexual difficulties.
During the 2008 Summer Olympics
, the country banned deer penis, turtle blood, and angelica root potions from athletes' diets. This is because according to traditional Chinese medicine, deer penis, especially if ingested while soaked in alcohol (deer penis wine), is an effective remedy for athletic injuries. Chinese Olympic officials advised national athletes not to take the traditional remedy because it may contain some banned substances like the stimulant herbal ephedrine
. It joined steroids and amphetamines on the list of banned substances. The penis of a deer or tiger when consumed is also said to enhance male virility and is an aphrodisiac
.
Deer penis wine can be sold at $12 a glass and often as high as $450 for a two litre bottle. Deer-antler wine, known as Lurongjiu, is also said to enhance sexual potency in men and to have a warming effect, aiding the joints. The penis of a deer, turtle or bull is also consumed in restaurants and in Singapore
is known to also be offered as a soup delicacy. In Angang
, Taiwan
, women are reported as consuming deer penis during pregnancy as it is said to have a fattening effect and to make the mother and child stronger.
film The Glimmer Man
during the scene where Seagal and Keenan Ivory Wayans enter a Chinese herbal store. Wayans is offered the powder, unaware of what it is and upon learning that it is powdered deer penis remarks that he "feels violated".
Traditional Chinese medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine refers to a broad range of medicine practices sharing common theoretical concepts which have been developed in China and are based on a tradition of more than 2,000 years, including various forms of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage , exercise , and dietary therapy...
, a deer
Deer
Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Species in the Cervidae family include white-tailed deer, elk, moose, red deer, reindeer, fallow deer, roe deer and chital. Male deer of all species and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year...
penis
Penis
The penis is a biological feature of male animals including both vertebrates and invertebrates...
(Chinese
Chinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
: 鹿鞭) is said to have important therapeutic properties. Deer penis and powdered deer penis is commonly sold in Chinese pharmacies. Like turtle's blood and penis, deer penis is also popular in Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
and is one of the "delicacies" served in large jars in Snake Alley
Snake Alley (Taipei)
Snake Alley is a two-block long night market in Wanhua district, the oldest district of Taipei, Taiwan. It is noted for its restaurants which serve bizarre "delicacies" including snake blood and meat, turtle blood and meat and deer penis wine....
, Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
. It is also served on the Chinese mainland in restaurants such as the Guo Li Zhuang
Guo Li Zhuang
Guo Li Zhuang is a restaurant brand that specializes in dishes prepared from the genitals of male animals from a wide variety of species such as horse, ox, donkey, dog, deer, goat, sheep, and snake...
.
The deer penis is typically very large and, proponents claim, for it to retain its properties it must be extracted from the deer whilst still alive. Often it is then sliced into small pieces, typically by women and then roasted and dried in the sun and then preserved while the deer looks on.
The tradition of consuming the penis of the animal is not just related to Chinese history. The ancient Romans were known to consume the anatomy of a number of different animals for their purported health benefits. The Mayans were also known to extract the penis of the deer and to roast it.Hippocrates
Hippocrates
Hippocrates of Cos or Hippokrates of Kos was an ancient Greek physician of the Age of Pericles , and is considered one of the most outstanding figures in the history of medicine...
recommended consuming deer penis to resolve sexual difficulties.
During the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
, the country banned deer penis, turtle blood, and angelica root potions from athletes' diets. This is because according to traditional Chinese medicine, deer penis, especially if ingested while soaked in alcohol (deer penis wine), is an effective remedy for athletic injuries. Chinese Olympic officials advised national athletes not to take the traditional remedy because it may contain some banned substances like the stimulant herbal ephedrine
Ephedrine
Ephedrine is a sympathomimetic amine commonly used as a stimulant, appetite suppressant, concentration aid, decongestant, and to treat hypotension associated with anaesthesia....
. It joined steroids and amphetamines on the list of banned substances. The penis of a deer or tiger when consumed is also said to enhance male virility and is an aphrodisiac
Aphrodisiac
An aphrodisiac is a substance that increases sexual desire. The name comes from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sexuality and love. Throughout history, many foods, drinks, and behaviors have had a reputation for making sex more attainable and/or pleasurable...
.
Deer penis wine can be sold at $12 a glass and often as high as $450 for a two litre bottle. Deer-antler wine, known as Lurongjiu, is also said to enhance sexual potency in men and to have a warming effect, aiding the joints. The penis of a deer, turtle or bull is also consumed in restaurants and in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
is known to also be offered as a soup delicacy. In Angang
Angang
Angang may refer to:*Anshan Iron and Steel Group: a second-largest state-owned steel-making enterprise in the People's Republic of China.*Ansteel: a subsidiary company of Anshan Iron and Steel Group...
, Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, women are reported as consuming deer penis during pregnancy as it is said to have a fattening effect and to make the mother and child stronger.
In popular culture
Powdered deer penis is mentioned in the 1996 Steven SeagalSteven Seagal
Steven Frederic Seagal is an American action film star, producer, writer, martial artist, guitarist and reserve deputy sheriff. A 7th-dan black belt in Aikido, Seagal began his adult life as an Aikido instructor in Japan...
film The Glimmer Man
The Glimmer Man
The Glimmer Man is a 1996 American action film directed by John Gray and starring Steven Seagal, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Bob Gunton and Brian Cox.-Plot:...
during the scene where Seagal and Keenan Ivory Wayans enter a Chinese herbal store. Wayans is offered the powder, unaware of what it is and upon learning that it is powdered deer penis remarks that he "feels violated".