| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| Pangolin scale
Manis pentadactyla |
An ingredient for women problems like breast cancer, mastitis, endometriosis, and fibrocystic breast disease. |
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| 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. |
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| Tokay
Gekko gecko |
It reinforces overall functioning, and helps relieve asthmatic condition. |
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| Tortoise shell
Plastrum testudinis |
It nourishes the body, and strengthens physique. |
Domestication can already supply the demand. |
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