Use of animal fats in traditional Chinese medicine

Abstract

Animal fats occupy a unique position of utilization in the pharmacopeia of Chinese Medicine. Animal fats used in Chinese Medicine are those found in the periphery far away from the marrow. Although the animal fats used include a large variety of animals, from domestic to wild types, they share a common indication of “replenishing” for the malnutrited or debilitated. Another common use is for skin conditions like various types of injuries and infections. Animal fats in Chinese Medicine, therefore, cannot be linked with stem cell regeneration in the modern sense.