‘The Body’ Elle Macpherson has caused a furore after posting online claims she used a globally banned product.

The supermodel has sparked outrage after revealing that she uses the Chinese-based medicinal therapy of powdered rhinoceros horn in her beauty treatments.

She was in the process of conducting an online interview with leading British newspaper The Times Online, when she apparently condoned the use of the powdered product made from the endangered species to the interviewer, claiming via her Twitter link-up that simply put, the product worked for her. Macpherson compounded matters by going on to describe in detail the rhino horn taste, suggesting it resembled a mix of fungus and crushed bone in capsule form, before adding that it does a good job. Exactly what crushed bone and fungus actually does a good job of doing was not specified.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare was quick to react to the incident, claiming they have prepared an information brochure for Macpherson which they will be sending in order to educate her on both the use of traditional alternative medicines and also the plight of the rhino, stating that her comments were frankly shocking. They added that not only was the practice of using endangered animal products inexcusable, it was technically illegal. Spokeswoman Erica Martin lamented the notion that Macpherson’s long run of successful careers and businesses, and generally a well-respected image, had meant that the public were impressionable to her comments and listened to whatever she had to say.