What is Horny Goat Weed?
You’ll likely only need to hear horny goat weed’s name once for it to stick with you forever. This flowering plant goes by the botanical name Epimedium. Legend has it that its discovery occurred when a Chinese goat herder noticed that his herd’s sexual activity increased after eating the plant. (x)
This fabled encounter has led to the discovery of 15 known horny goat weed species. All of them were part of the Chinese herbal remedies and all under the banner of “yin yang huo” medicine. Over time, this herb has gained a reputation for helping to overcome many afflictions. Most famously, horny goat weed has been used to combat erectile dysfunction, along with high blood pressure. (x)
History of Horny Goat Weed
Foremost and a thousand years ago, Chinese, Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Indian cultures used aphrodisiacs. These cultures understood the value of human procreation and the ability to fulfill your sexual relationship. Horny Goat Weed is one of these many aphrodisiacs. (x)
Today, scientific studies have proved that these aphrodisiacs have some credibility. Some are more effective than others, while some have more side effects than others. It’s best to check with your doctor if you have an interest in increasing your sexual activity. (x)
Where to Find It
The Epimedium plant is native to eastern Asia and parts of the Mediterranean. It grows in woodlands and shady, rocky places, mainly in the mountainous regions of China. If you enjoy traveling and mountain climbing, visit China or Tibet in search of horny goat weed. Of course, an easier way to get the best of its benefits would be to purchase extracts containing the vital ingredients that help make the herb so potent.
Some health professionals compare Horny goat weed with maca. Maca is a vegetable present in high-altitude areas that stretch across the Andes Mountains. Many take maca to increase energy, immunity, virility, and sexual arousal. Horny goat weed with maca is a combination that may help provide maximum benefits.
In a study of lab rats, for example, it had a noticeable effect on sexual behavior. Maca also significantly affected sexual dysfunction or sexual desire in healthy postmenopausal women and healthy adult men. In one trial, a substantial change in ED took place after treatment with maca (x).
As with horny goat weed, you can travel to the plateaus of South America, and hunting for the root is an option. However, getting the right supplement would likely be far more convenient. Verify with your medical provider before starting any new supplement.
The Epimedium plant has also treated several other health issues, which include:
- Neurodegeneration
- Osteoporosis
- Joint pain
- Hormonal increases
- Heart disease
Many of these benefits stem from the large amounts of icariin it stores, as most Epimedium plants do. Other Epimedium plants are Inyokaku and Herb epimedii as dietary supplements. (x)
Icariin is a type of flavonoid (a chemical classified as a prenylated flavonol glycoside). It presents many positive effects when it’s in your body. Horny goat weed is rich in this flavonoid, and studies have shown promise in its medicinal use. (x)
Horny Goat Weed Benefits
Does horny goat weed work in treating any of the issues listed above? It’s hard to say definitively. But many do suggest positive potential in the herb. It’s a smart idea to ensure this supplement is right for you by talking with your physician. Documented benefits include:
- Erectile Dysfunction
One cause of erectile dysfunction is a high protein lev phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), which interferes with your body’s ability to produce nitric oxide and cGMP. During aging, these components show functional decay. (x)
Icariin can suppress the levels of PDE5, allowing blood to go precisely where it’s supposed to. Besides, horny goat weed’s possible blood-thinning properties make it an enticing option for those combating erectile dysfunction. (x)
The studies that support this come from the test tube (in vitro) and animal tests. Researchers found that rats treated with an extract of horny goat weed over weeks showed improved erectile function. (x) In test tubes, another study found that icariin is effective in inhibiting PDE5. (x)
Icariin can also enhance the growth of the heart’s smooth muscles, which helps blood flow to the penis. It may show a viable treatment for those with diabetes-associated erectile dysfunction. (x)
- Hormonal Increase
Horny goat weed can also increase testosterone levels. Some research has included humans with positive conclusions. (x) Many clinical trials on animals provide encouraging results. One study took rats and chemically castrated them over five days, then separated them into groups. The group given icariin saw an improvement in their reproductive organs and increased levels of testosterone. This same group also saw lower cell decay levels in the smooth muscle cells of their penis. (x)
Icariin doesn’t affect women in the same way. Instead of testosterone levels increasing, estrogen levels rose noticeably. It is especially true for postmenopausal females, and two other compounds in horny goat weed handle this — icariin and desmethylicaritin. This change in estrogen levels doesn’t seem significant enough to negate the benefits men may get from Epimedium’s testosterone-boosting impact. (x)
- High Blood Pressure
For organs above your waist, horny goat weed also fits in the blood flow supplements category. Studies suggest that icariin increases blood flow throughout the body by relaxing blood vessels. It also acts as a blood thinner, as it may inhibit your blood’s ability to clot. It’s these properties that may help those suffering from high blood pressure. (x)
- Heart Disease
Icariin seems to work exceptionally well in both test-tube and animal studies regarding cardiovascular health. Within the vascular cells (the cells that make up our arteries, veins, and capillaries), icariin has powerful anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties and a slew of other advantages to fight atherosclerosis and DNA damage. (x)
- Neuroprotection
The icariin present in horny goat weed may help protect against certain neurodegeneration forms, like Alzheimer’s disease. The onset of that disease coincides with the activity of various stress-induced markers. The icariin in horny goat weed inhibits the impact of these pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory chemicals to help keep your whole body safe. Besides, it may also have beneficial effects against mild cognitive impairment. (x)
- Osteoporosis
In lab studies, horny goat weed proved to stimulate bone generation. Two kinds of cells regulate bone mass — osteoblast cells that create bone and osteoclasts that absorb bone tissue. Osteoblasts work together to form a bone matrix and are one of the principal components in bone mineralization.
Horny goat weed contains phytoestrogens, along with the plant’s active ingredient icariin. Experiments show that Epimedium extracts can increase the amount and activity of osteoblasts, which may lead to faster bone growth. (x)
Researchers found that chemicals present in horny goat weed produced positive outcomes regarding bone loss in an informative study involving postmenopausal women. The research occurred over 24 months and involved each woman taking horny goat weed extract and 300 mg of calcium. The most significant growth was in the lumbar spine. (x)
- Back Pain
Horny goat weed may also help relieve lower back pain. It could be because the icariin element in the plant may contribute to anti-inflammatory therapeutic action. A scientific study comprising human cells cultured and isolated in vitro, suggesting icariin protects these cells. (x)
- Joint Pain
The battle against joint pain connects these gains in bone loss, specifically against ankylosing spondylitis (AS). It is arthritis that usually affects the spine, though it may affect other joints. Research into the benefits of horny goat weed has established that it may help create cells in the connective tissues that produce cartilage-building collagen while also inducing them to generate more of it. (x)
- Anti-Cancer Properties
Scientific studies conducted in vivo and in vitro suggest icariin and other bioactive compounds show anti-cancer action against a wide selection of cancer cells. (x) A report from the Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology published that the Epimedium herb can be a therapeutic agent for prostate cancer. (x) Another study reports that icariin inhibits lung-cancer growth. Particularly bone metastasis in patients who have lung cancer. (x)
Where to Buy Horny Goat Weed Extract?
You can purchase horny goat weed extract at BulkSupplements.com. The company is an industry-leading manufacturer and distributor for pure dietary supplements. BulkSupplements.com is not just a consumer brand. It also supplies pure ingredients to other food and supplement brands to make their products. All products at BulkSupplements.com are manufactured and tested according to current and proper manufacturing practices.
Are you interested in trying horny goat weed extract? Contact BulkSupplements.com to place an order.
Horny Goat Weed Dosage
Epimedium is an herbal supplement, not a medical one, so there is no FDA recommended dosage amount. However, based on research into its efficacy, a daily serving size for horny goat weed should measure at 1000 mg (just under 1/2 tsp).
Horny Goat Weed Side Effects
When used at high doses over long periods, horny goat weed may cause dizziness, vomiting, dry mouth, thirst, and nosebleed. (x) Taken at substantial amounts, it may cause spasms and breathing issues. (x)
Horny goat weed side effects require more investigation, but it’s best to avoid it altogether if you are pregnant or nursing. It is also true if you have severe liver or kidney disease, as your body may have issues processing the herb. (x)
Epimedium may lower blood pressure, but for individuals already dealing with low blood pressure, horny goat weed may bring blood pressure even lower, increasing the risk of fainting. (x)
It may act to thin the blood, slowing down the blood’s clotting process. If you have a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia, it might worsen your symptoms. This blood thinning property may also increase the risk of bleeding during surgery. Stop taking Epimedium at least two weeks before surgery. (x)
Epimedium may also affect hormone levels. If an individual has hormone-sensitive cancers, they should avoid this supplement. (x)
The Bottom Line
For over a thousand years, the benefits of horny goat weed are plentiful. Also called Yin Yang Huo, and like other aphrodisiacs, the plant falls under the botanical name Epimedium.
In vitro and animal studies show us that this plant, namely its active ingredient icariin, can positively influence your health. It may combat erectile dysfunction, bone loss, and heart disease, among other ailments.
Further studies are necessary to make factual claims, but past experiments are promising. When taking this supplement, be aware of side effects, especially if you suffer from low blood pressure or are pregnant.
The statements in this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.