Panthera tigris   虎 骨 Hǔ gǔ   Tiger bone   Family: Felidae    
The tiger is the largest cat species, reaching a total body length of up to 3.38 m over curves and exceptionally weighing up to 388.7 kg in the wild. Its most recognisable feature is a pattern of dark vertical stripes on reddish-orange fur with a lighter underside. The bones of leopard may be used as a substitute.
There are around 4000 wild Tigers left and tiger bone needs to be substituted. Some very useful animal substitutes are Pig- Zhu gu, cat or ox bone. The herb Homalomena occulta- Qiān nián jiàn has very similar functions to Hu gu, and is usually used.[6]
Nature: Warm   FLAVOR: Pungent, acrid, sweet  CHANNEL: Liver, Kidney
FUNCTIONS
 GROUP: Wind Damp dispelling
1. Expel internal Wind and alleviate pain.[1,2] Dispel Wind Dampness.[3] Analgesic.[3]
2. Dispel Wind Cold and strengthen the sinews and bones.[3,5] High in calcium.
INDICATIONS
1. Stiffness and migratory pain in the joints.[5] Rheumatism and flaccidity of the back and lower extremities caused by deficiency of the Cold of the Liver and Kidney.[3] Tendon and bone atrophy.[3]
2. Paralysis, weak knees and legs, spasms, stiffness and pain in the lower back, and cold pain in the bones.[5] Recently, its preparation of wine and infection are used for rheumatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
3. After illness can have low calcium levels, pain and weakness in back.[3] Also lack of strength in walking and weak lumbar area.[3]
CONTRAINDICATIONS: Deficient Yin, deficient Heat or Hot painful obstruction.[3] Pregnancy.[3] Use with caution in cases of ascending Fire due to Blood deficiency.[5]
COMBINATIONS
PREPARATIONS: Animal bones substituted are: Pig- Zhu gu, cat or ox bone. The herb Homalomena occulta- Qiān nián jiàn is often used as a substitution.
Hu gu decoction- Dried bone 10-15 g.[2] 3-6 g.[5] Generally used in meidicnal wines, as a powder, or in pills.[5] Normally toasted in oil or vinegar before use.[5] Good quality is heavy, firm, and yellowish white. Note that the bones of a poisoned tiger can turn black. These should never be used medicinally.[5]
NOTES: When there is illness in the sinews, there is flexion but not extension. When there is illness in the bones, there is extension, but no flexion.[4]

References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Constituents
Calcium, protein.[5]
References
[1] Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica- Dan Bensky and Andrew Gamble- Eastland Press 1986 Seattle Washington ISBN 0-939616-15-7
Research

Traditional Chinese Medicine Bionic Tiger Bone Powder for the Treatment of AI-Associated Musculoskeletal Symptoms
Yifan Li, Zhenhua Zhang, Feifei Cui, Jialing Liu, Yitong Wang, Juling Jiang, Wenxin Ma, and Wenping Lu *
Abstract
Background. Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are used for adjuvant therapy of breast cancer; however AIMSS (AI-Associated Musculoskeletal Symptoms) can negatively affect quality of life and compliance. Most patients in China moved to TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) for help. TB (tiger bone) is used to treat bone disease, whose main ingredients are calcium and collagen. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the TB prevented AIMSS in postmenopausal women with ER/PR+ breast cancer. Methods. We conducted a randomized, blind, controlled study of comparing TB versus placebo for 12 weeks in postmenopausal women with breast cancer who have taken AI for less than a month. Patients completed the M-BPI, VAS, and FACT-B at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. M-BPI and VAS were used as the primary outcomes. FACT-B was used as the secondary outcome. Serum E2 and FSH were tested every 6 weeks. Results. Of 70 evaluable cases, 8 of 35 patients (22.9%) developed new or worsening point symptoms in TB group, compared to 21 of 35 (60%) in placebo group (P < 0.001). We also found differences between 2 groups in average pain (2 to 5.6), worst pain (3.9 to 8), pain interference severity (1.9 to 5.3), stiffness (2.4 to 6.9), and joint symptom interference (1.8 to 5.7), all P < 0.001; similar findings were seen in VAS value (3 to 6.6) at the end of intervention. HRQoL measured by FACT-B (P < 0.05) was improved. No change of serum estradiol and FSH between two groups. Conclusions. TB appeared to be effective and safe in the prevention of AIMSS. This trial is registered with ChiCTR-IPR-15007081.
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017; 2017: 2478565.
Published online 2017 Jan 31. doi: 10.1155/2017/2478565
PMCID: PMC5307008
PMID: 28250792 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov