Horny Goat Weed 100 g, 50 g, 25 g

Horny Goat Weed – 100 g ($15.99), 50 g ($10.99), 25 g ($6.99)

Benefits:
Horny goat weed is a herb known as a “natural aphrodisiac,” as it has been shown in some animal studies to have positive effects on hormone production and libido. Horny goat weed is a species called Epimedium, a member of the Berberidaceae plant family that grows in Asia, mostly in China, and around the Mediterranean. Epimedium contains the active ingredient called icariin, which is responsible for most of it’s health-promoting effects.

Horny goat weed’s strange name is because farmers noticed that goats and sheep who ate epimedium herbs became more excited around animals of the opposite sex. Scientists haven’t proven that horny goat weed increases sexual function in humans. However, anecdotal evidence, along with certain animal studies, suggests it has some of the following benefits:

• Helps to increase testosterone production
• Helps to increase estrogen levels, particularly in post-menopausal women
• Improving libido
• Boosting circulation
• Helps to treat conditions like impotence (erectile dysfunction, or ED) or vaginal dryness
• Normalizing cortisol levels
• Helps to increase lean muscle mass
• Preventing bone loss

Nutrients and Compounds  According to one producer of horny goat weed (icariin) supplements, Shanghai Natural Bio-Engineering Company, over 60 species of Epimedium have been identified. However, only five of these species are recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopeia handbook and used to make icariin herbal supplements that are available to the public. (3) These include the following epimedium species:

• Epimedium wushanense
• Epimedium brevicornum
• Epimedium sagittatum
• Epimedium koreanum
• Epimedium pubescens
• Epimedium acuminatum

The effects mentioned above are lqrgely due to Icariin, the active ingredient found in horny goat weed. It’s a prenylated flavonoid compound and metabolizes to the flavonoid baohuoside I. Flavonoids are types of antioxidants that have been shown to have many anti-aging properties. They are the same compounds found in some of the healthiest foods on Earth. These foods include blueberries and other berries, teas including green tea or oolong, raw cocoa, and fresh herbs like parsley. Various epimedium plant species contain dozens of flavonoids (some species up to 37 different flavonoid compounds). The highest proportion is prenylflavonoids.

• According to certain studies, icariin may help increase testosterone levels, although to be fair most of the research to date has been conducted on animals (in particular, rats or rabbits) rather than humans.
• Research suggests that icariin also has PDE5 (phosphodiesterase type 5) inhibitory properties, which means it works in similar ways as certain drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction, such as Sildenafil (which goes by the brand name Viagra). PDE5 inhibitors can help treat sexual dysfunction (or ED) because they enhance the effects of nitric oxide (NO). By increasing levels of nitric oxide, icariin helps to improve blood flow (circulation) by relaxing the smooth muscles of arteries, allowing more blood to reach the reproductive organs.
• Another benefit of plants that contain prenylflavonoids is that they serve as natural phytoestrogens, helping to mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. (4)

Several other noteworthy compounds are also present in horny goat weed, including:

• Compounds called Epimedium A, B and C have been identified in horny goat weed, which have similar benefits to icariin.
• Desmethylicaritin, which studies suggest has benefits for female reproductive health and libido during or following menopause. Although icariin and desmethylicaritin work similarly, the two have different ways of improving sexual arousal and hormone production in males and females.
• Anhydroicaritin, which has similar effects to desmethylicaritin.
• Quercetin, a bioflavonoid antioxidant that has benefits for heart health, vision/eye health, immunity and cancer prevention. Quercetin is found in many “superfoods” known to fight degenerative diseases and symptoms associated with aging, such as green tea, red wine, leafy greens, citrus fruits, grapes, cocoa and others. (5)
• Ikarioside A and B
• Sagittatoside B
• Diphylloside A and B

Aphrodisiac  Horny goat weed may be able to help normalize cortisol levels and reduce some of the negative effects of stress on the body, which can include lowered sex drive, mental fatigue and various problems with hormonal balance or sexual performance. By helping to normalize testosterone and estrogen levels, it may be useful for combatting symptoms like low energy, involuntary ejaculation and vaginal dryness. (6)

Icariin is also a vasodilator, helping to increase blood flow, and has some anti-inflammatory abilities. Another effect that research suggests icariin may have is inhibiting an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which has effects on neurotransmitter synapses and various neuromuscular functions. Use of icariin has been associated with positive changes in body composition — such as increased muscle mass, strength and bone growth — which can enhance performance, energy and even confidence.

Erectile Dysfunction  Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is the inability of males to have or hold an erection. People with ED may struggle to maintain erections even for a few minutes. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common problem affecting people of all ages, particularly those over 40. Estimates claim that 30-50 million people in the United States experience ED. At times, people may experience psychological conditions, such as depression or anxiety, that may cause or contribute to ED. One suspected mechanism of action of horny goat weed is helping to increase circulation in blood vessels connecting the penis — thus, operating as an erectogenic and improving erectile function.

After sexual stimulation, nitric oxide (NO) is released to dilate the blood vessels of the corpus cavernosum (tissue that forms the penis) to produce an erection. While this is happening a compound called cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) accumulates, which can be broken down by the substance PDE5. (7) Because icariin has the ability to stop PDE5 from doing this, it boosts nitric oxide’s effects even more, helping to sustain an erection. (8) In one study involving rats, when icariin was administered as a daily supplement to healthy 12-week-old rats that had undergone cavernous nerve crush injury to the genital area, supplementation significantly improved penile functional outcomes compared to the control group. In the group treated with icariin, increased nitric oxide levels and smooth muscle effects were observed that led to reduced ED symptoms caused by nerve damage. (9)

An older study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine assessed the effects of horny goat weed on nerve damage in animals and cellular trials. The researchers reported that icariin, the active component of horny goat weed, might show positive and promising effects in treating ED resulting from nerve injury.

A 2010 study suggests that horny goat weed may effectively treat ED resulting from nerve damage. Nerve damage can affect the functioning of arteries and blood vessels responsible for supplying blood to the penis. Insufficient blood flow can lead to Vasculogenic ED.

Testosterone  Icariin has been shown to have natural testosterone-mimicking properties, one reason it helps to improve sexual desire, strength and even athletic performance. In one study involving rats that were given icariin extract, researchers found that icariin improved the overall condition of reproductive organs and increased the circulating levels of testosterone compared to the rats that were not given the extract. (10) More studies are needed to see if it will prove to be a testosterone booster for humans.

Muscle Strength  In some studies icariin has had positive effects on lean muscle growth. Research published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine states “ICA (icariin) may have neurotrophic effects in addition to known phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibiting effects.” (13) Neurotrophins are types of proteins that help with development, growth and function of neurons. It’s suspected that icariin helps the body secrete proteins that allow cells to grow and contribute to tissue repair.

It’s not uncommon for those looking to “bulk up” and put on muscle mass, such as athletes and body builders, to use icariin as an active ingredient in supplements. Its use has also been linked with improved recovery following exercise and better athletic performance. Although it isn’t considered to be a stimulant and doesn’t work the same way that something like caffeine does, some find that taking supplements containing icariin can help improve their strength, stamina and endurance. Consuming the whole herb is a more natural , balanced method.

Pregnancy, Breastfeeding  At this time, there is not enough research to confirm the safety of horny goat weed during or after pregnancy. A 2020 paper published in Medicine did, however, evaluate its potential application as a treatment for infertility. The findings suggest that horny goat weed may improve endometrial thickness in people with a thin endometrium. The endometrium is the lining of the uterus. An endometrium less than 7 mm  during ovulation may make embryo implantation more difficult. The researchers cite the need for more comprehensive studies.

There are also unknowns about nursing while supplementing with horny goat weed. The Department of Health and Human Services advises against herbal supplements while breastfeeding. Studies have yet to identify the potential risks of horny goat weed consumption in pregnancy on fetuses, newborns, and children so a person should not use it.

Menopause Hormone Balance  In TCM, Yin Yang Huo is considered to help promote “yin” energy, restoring energy levels and balance. With it’s “spicy, sweet and warm” properties, it’s helpful for people who are feeling fatigued or “yin deficient,” especially those going through hormonal changes such as menopause. (11)

Because prenylflavonoids act as phytoestrogens, they have been shown in some studies to help increase estrogen levels and reduce symptoms of menopause in females. Thus, horny goat weed can be considered an estrogenic which contains many different prenylflavonoid compounds that have been associated with decreased symptoms of menopause, such as low libido and bone loss, with the strongest being icariin. (12)

Horny goat weed may also have beneficial effects in postmenopausal women.  A study mentions that Flavonoids like Icariin in horny goat weed may be potential medicines for Menopause and other conditions requiring Estrogen treatments. It may be further researched as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy in women after menopause.

Bone Health  Research done by the Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology at the University of Tokyo found evidence that horny goat weed has positive effects on restoring bone density and therefore may help prevent symptoms related to osteoporosis, such as fractures or decreased bone density of the spine. Animal studies done at the university showed that “icariin is a strong candidate for an osteogenic compound for use in bone tissue engineering.” (14) The researchers observed significant new bone formation in rats treated with icariin after four weeks, and further increases in bone thickness after six weeks.

Similar research conducted at the Institute of Orthopaedics Center of Lanzhou General Hospital in China showed evidence that icariin can help “prevent osteoporosis by increasing bone density and bone formation, decreasing bone resorption and improving microstructure of bone.” (15) Other studies have found that taking horny goat weed for 24 months helped to stop bone loss of the spine and hips in post-menopausal women. (16)

A study in 2019 shows that horny goat weed increased the activity of bone-forming cells and decreased bone breakdown. Another clinical trial in 2017 showed that Icariin prevented bone loss. The treatment group included Icariin and other sources of phytoestrogens. For this reason, the effects of Icariin alone on osteoporosis were unclear. Osteoporosis is a bone disease involving quality and bone structure changes. This condition may develop when bone density and bone mass decrease.

Heart  A clinical trial evaluates the effects of horny goat weed on 120 patients with kidney issues and heart disease. Horny goat weed granules given to patients relieved symptoms and improved overall heart health, but more evidence to support that horny goat weed can treat heart diseases.

Mood disorders  A 2016 study evaluates the safety and feasibility of Icariin on people with alcohol use and bipolar disorder. Results from this uncontrolled study showed improvement in moods and lower alcohol consumption.

DNA and aging  2007 study shows that Icariin can reduce oxidative stress and protect DNA. Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between the production and accumulation of reactive oxygen species in cells and tissues.  It can damage cells, proteins and DNA, possibly contributing to aging.

Other Potential Uses
Horny goat weed may have other potential benefits. However, research into other uses primarily involves animal and cellular studies and there is a lack of definitive human evidence to confirm many of its uses. Other cell research has revealed the following possible effects:

• anticancer effects
• radiosensitizing effects
• reversal of multidrug resistance in some tumor cells

Atherosclerosis is a condition where the arteries in the neck harden. For people with atherosclerosis, a mixture containing horny goat weed may be beneficial and result in improved symptoms and clinical tests.

People with hay fever may experience symptom relief from an herbal preparation featuring horny goat weed, according to older findings cited in ISRN Allergy. However, those in the study took a supplement containing several other herbs, making it difficult to assess the value of horny goat weed for allergies on its own.

Botanical Name: Epimedium sagittatum
English: Horny Goat Weed
Also known as: Barrenwort, Bishop’s hat, Hierba de Cabra en Celo, Fairy wings, Japanese Epimedium, Xian, Ling Pi, Yin Yang Huo.
Habitat: China and Japan
Origin: China
Harvested: Wild or Cultivated
Parts Used: Leaves

General Information:
Horny goat weed is a herb used in traditional Chinese medicine for ages. Horny goat weed is available as tablets, capsules, powders, and teas at most pharmacies. It is a member of the genus Epimedium, a low-growing perennial plant. This plant is commonly found in Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe.

Epimedium sagittatum is a deciduous perennial growing to 30-35 cm, with bright red stems with green heart-shaped leaves which are slightly hairy on the bottom. Undersides of heart-shaped leaves are slightly hairy. Pink, white, or purple long-spurred flowers. In spring it produces pink, white, yellow or purple long-spurred flowers.
The leaves are used to make medicine. More than 12 horny goat weed species are known as “yin yang huo” in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Used by experts for over 4,000 years, horny goat weed is several species of epimedium, a leafy plant that grows in the wild, most abundantly at higher altitudes. Epimedium is a genus of plants commonly called horny goat weed because of their claimed aphrodisiac effects. Epimedium sagittatum is one particular species of this genus. The leaves of the plant contain a variety of flavonoids, polysaccharides, sterols and an alkaloid called magnaflorine but the exact way that horny goat weed works remain unknown.

 

How to use:
We make these suggestions to help you get the best benefit from the herbs that you’re choosing to improve your health. Also we make these ideas and recommendations so that consuming them easier and better fit into your lifestyle by adding them to the food that you already eat.
For the full health benefit, it is best to consume (or use the whole herb in poultices) the whole herb. All of the compounds in the herb act best together, as nature intends. Extracts draw out the most prominent beneficial compounds and may concentrate them. What is not extracted can be helpful in ways that we do not yet understand.

Cut Pieces or Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use cut pieces or powdered herb.
Food Preparation: You can add powdered or pieces of herb (if the pieces you buy are bigger than you like, a coffee or herb grinder will quickly reduce) to any yogurt, smoothie, apple or other sauces, spreads, salads or other foods more familiar to you that don’t use heat. Heat can be damaging to the beneficial compounds in the herb. Other options like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pasta sauce, soup, cookies and anything else that fits your lifestyle, but minimizing (by adding near the end of cooking) the heat is helpful.
Also, for children, you can mix powdered herb with honey or glycerin to make paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help medicine go down. The resulting liquid is called an electuary.
For seeds in general, but especially small seeds, it’s best to grind these to break the protective hulls a short time before consumption. This makes all the benefits available, rather than some remaining locked inside the hulls that are unbroken by insufficient chewing.
To make adding herbs even easier, you could add a week’s worth of your chosen herb(s) to an amount of, for example, yogurt that you would eat in a week. Mix thoroughly and eat this each day of the week. So you make once /week and just eat each other day.
Hot Infusion: The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. The heat from making tea can degrade some of the beneficial compounds in the herb. This method minimizes this effect. For the full health benefit, it is recommended to consume what is left over after making tea.
Decoctions: Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water, Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes with the pot covered. Squeeze out as much as liquid as possible. Best practice is to drink the liquid and also consume the solid material that remains. Herb pieces can also be used.
Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use powdered herb.
Capsules: HerbsCrafters makes capsules guaranteed to be filled with the pure herb with no filler or any other products. You can also use powdered herb to make your own capsules at home. These capsules are best taken with liquid to aid in digestion and absorption and to ensure it doesn’t stick in your throat.
Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.
Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder or licorice root powder.

Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY.
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.