It must be a magic potio - it is supposed to do everything!
From a Vietnamese website -( www.wildact-vn.org/news/2014/4/29/the-effectiveness-of-rhino-horn-according-to-a-domestic-medicine-website )
"Mostly based on folklore and myth, it is widely believed that rhino horns have the ability to enhance libido, “rejuvenation”, reduce a fever, and even to cure cancer and diabetes!"
"According to traditional medicine practice, rhino horn tastes bitter, salty and cold in nature. It affects the heart, liver and stomach channels and can be used to clear heat and heart-burn, remove toxins, and relieve feverish rashes. Also, it treats associated symptoms such as loss of consciousness, delirium, bleeding, high fever and convulsion. However, it is not recommended for use by pregnant women."
" . . . rhino horns can strengthen heart muscle, reduce then increase white blood cell count significantly, decrease hypothermia, be used as a sedative to viscera, treat feverish cold and convulsion, cure congestion, epistaxis, jaundice, ulcers , encephalitis B, summer fever in children, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), and neurological schizophrenia."
"Rhino horns are used in roughly 70 traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) to treat inflammation of heat, high fevers, convulsions & delirium, hysteria, as well as to increase potency."
BUT (from www.newscientist.com/article/mg22229664-500-rhino-horn-isnt-a-hangover-cure-or-a-cancer-treatment/)
Given that rhinos are endangered, is rhino horn still used today?
"In China, Taiwan and South Korea it has been completely banned from use in medicine since about 1993. Also in China it is only permitted for use in research to identify substitutes, and is no longer listed in medical reference books. But in Vietnam – a huge market for illegal rhino horn – it is being used as a hangover cure by the nouveau riche. It is also being promoted to treat cancer. There is no scientific basis for such claims."
Has there been scientific research into the effectiveness of rhino horn in medicine?
"In one human study, researchers in Taiwan found that rhino horn temporarily reduced fever in children, but it was no more effective than aspirin. Animal studies done in the UK and South Africa found no pharmacological effects of rhino horn – or any other animal horns."