The stag as an historical source of materia medica

This paper presents a brief overview of the items materia medica harvested from male red deer [Cervus elephas]. The medicinal use stag's antlers and other body parts began in classical times with writings Dioscorides Pliny Elder, relied on legendary vitality, sexual prowess, strength, alexipharmic rejuvenative powers which animal was credited. In early modern wide range organs stags killed formal hunts were made available for as amulets, Galenic simples alchemical derivatives incorporation into medicaments used to treat huge diversity health issues ranging deadly infections like plague, through conditions such barrenness loss potency, baldness. stag provided fundamental apothecarial resource exploited full.