Deer penis

In traditional Chinese medicine, a deer penis (Vietnamese: Lộc pín; Chinese: 鹿鞭; pinyin: lù biān) is said to have important therapeutic properties.

The deer penis is typically very large and several proponents claim it must be extracted from the deer while still alive for it to retain its properties. Often it is then sliced into small pieces, typically by women and then roasted and dried in the sun. In Angang, Taiwan, women are reported to consume deer penis during pregnancy as it is said to have a fattening effect and to make the mother and child stronger.

The Mayans were also known to extract the penis of the deer and 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. When consumed, a deer penis or tiger penis is also said to enhance virility, and is thought by some to be an aphrodisiac.

Like turtle's blood and penis, deer penis 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. Deer penis wine can be sold at $12 a glass and often as high as $455 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. A deer's penis, turtle's penis, or bull's penis is consumed in restaurants and is known in Singapore to be offered as a soup delicacy.

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