Endangered animals and the used parts | Traditional usages | Substitute/ Cultivation |
Remarks |
---|---|---|---|
Tiger bone | Tiger bone has been used in wines, plasters, and manufactured medicines to treat arthritis and other joint ailments. | Dog bone (Chinese) and pig bone (Chinese) has been determined to have effects similar to tiger bone. | Banned |
Rhinoceros horn | Decocted rhinoceros horn is used in TCM to treat fever, convulsions, and delirium. | Chemical analysis demonstrates that buffalo horn has similar constituents to rhinoceros horn. | Banned |
Antelope horn Saiga tatarica |
The horn is effective in neural or cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension, delirium and fever. | Goat horn is used as substitute. | In China, the storage of antelope horn is closely monitored, no more new supply is allowed. |
Musk Moschus berezovskii Moschus sifanicus Moschus moschiferus |
Musk is the dried secretion from the musk sac of the adult male musk deer. It is used to resuscitate, promote circulation and to relieve pain. | Synthetic musk is now widely used in China instead of natural musk from the musk deer. Experiments show that this synthetic substance has similar angina- relieving and anti-inflammatory effects. | In China, the storage of musk is closely monitored, no more new supply is allowed. And it is only permitted for emergency use. |
Bear bile Selenarctos thibetanus Ursus arctos |
Bear bile is used to treat a wide variety of illnesses like injuries, liver and gallbladder diseases and vision problems, convulsions and painful conditions. | Captive breeding is very successful, and can meet the needs of TCM. | |
Seahorse | This is used to reinforce overall functioning, and treat circulatory problems as well as impotence. | Domestication has been tried but has yet to be proved effective. | |
Deer horn, tendons, sex organ, blood and meat Cervus nippon Cervus elaphus |
It reinforces overall functioning, tonifies the vital essence and blood, and strengthens bones and muscles. | Chinese researchers have successfully introduced domestically bred deer farms, and adequately meet the demand. | |
Snakes (dried body) Bungarus multicinctus Zaocys dhumnades Agkistrodon acutus |
TCM used snakes to treat joint and limbs problems, also some skin and respiratory conditions. | Domestication has been introduced. | |
Pangolin scale Manis pentadactyla |
An ingredient for women problems like breast cancer, mastitis, endometriosis, and fibrocystic breast disease. | ||
Toad secretions Bufo bufo gargarizans Bufo melanostictus |
Antidote the poison and enhance cardiovascular, usually indicate for skin infections and tropical applications. | Domestication has been introduced. | |
Tokay Gekko gecko |
It reinforces overall functioning, and helps relieve asthmatic condition. | ||
Tortoise shell Plastrum testudinis |
It nourishes the body, and strengthens physique. | Domestication can already supply the demand. |