Botanical: Epimedium sagittatum
Family: Berberidaceae (barberry)
Other common names: Epimedium, Yin Yang Huo, Fairy Wings, Bishop's Hat, Barrenwort

For those who wish to improve their sex drive and performance, try Horny Goat Weed!  It has been used for two thousand years in China as a powerful aphrodisiac for both women and men. Further, it is said to be effective in restoring sexual desire in both sexes and enhancing erectile function and increasing sperm production in men. The herb is also said to be effective in reducing fatigue, increasing energy and alleviating menopausal discomforts, and The Chinese Academy of Sciences even recommends Horny Goat Weed to slow the ageing process.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein by Herbal Extracts Plus is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

History:
Horny Goat Weed is one of about twenty-five species of herbaceous flowering plants that is native to China and other parts of Asia (other species are native to Europe).  The hardy, deciduous perennial grows as a leafy groundcover, most abundantly at higher altitudes, and bears four-petaled, purple, pink, yellow or white "spider-like" flowers that resemble a "Bishop's Hat" (giving the plant one of its common names), and blooming in spring or early summer.  Horny Goat Weed has a long history in China, where its medicinal properties were first recorded two thousand years ago in the Shen Nong Canon of Herbs.  The Chinese regard this herb as one of the most effective aphrodisiacs for both men and women, and its use came about in a somewhat circuitous way (or so legend has it).  Centuries ago, Chinese goat herders noticed incessant sexual behavior in his goats and observed that this activity seemed to be directly related to their diet.  When the goats fed on this herb, the activity increased; hence, the name Horny Goat Weed was christened, and it probably did not take too long thereafter for its use to be shifted to humans.   In China, its name is translated as "the herb for the man who likes sex too much, like a goat."   In Chinese herbal medicine, Horny Goat Weed has also been used to treat kidney, joint, liver and back disorders, but its fame rests upon its aphrodisiacal qualities.  Some of the constituents included in Horny Goat Weed are a variety of flavonoids (icariin), polysaccharides, lignins, sesquiterpenes, phenolic and penethylol glycosides, ionones, sterols and an alkaloid called magnaflorine.

Beneficial Uses:
Horny Goat Weed is believed to be one of the most potent aphrodisiacs available for both men and women. The flavonoid content is said to stimulate sensory nerves, particularly in the genitals, and

its use is said to increase sexual arousal, as well as copulation activity and testosterone levels. Testosterone stimulates centers of the brain having to do with increased sexuality in both men and women, and in several studies that were conducted, it was demonstrated that Horny Goat Weed does, in fact, enhance sexuality and quality of sex life and has been prescribed for women suffering from decreased sexual motivation. It was also claimed that it improved sexual performance in patients undergoing hemo-dialysis for renal failure. Although the exact way that Horny Goat Weed acts is not fully understood, it is thought that an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase supports high levels of the key cholinergic neurotransmitters that are associated with sexual arousal, and, certainly, the plant has been in use for centuries to restore sexual desire in both women and men.

With specific regard to male sexuality, Kee Chang Juang, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Pharmacology at the University of Louisville, Kentucky, claimed that in laboratory research, Epimidium  (Horny Goat Weed) appeared to have a sexual stimulatory effect on human males and may also stimulate the growth of the testes.  In addition, it was also reported that men who took this herb showed a boost

in erectile function and an increase in spermatozoa production.  In the Chinese Materia Medica, Pharmacist, You-Ping Shu, Ph.D., reported that in animal laboratory experiments, there was an increase in semen secretion, and Horny Goat Weedis also thought to be useful in cases of involuntary and premature ejaculation.

Apropos of the above research concerning male sexuality, a team of researchers from the University of Milan have discovered that Horny Goat Weed acts the same way that Viagra does.   Although used for centuries as a powerful aphrodisiac and means to enhance erectile function, modern scientists may now be a step closer to discovering how the compound, icariin, from Horny Goat Weed actually works. Viagra works by inhibiting an enzyme called PDE-5, thereby keeping blood flowing to the penis, which helps to reach and maintain an erection.  The scientists tested icariin and other plant compounds in a lab by exposing them to an enzyme that regulates blood flow to the penis and found that its effect in the lab was similar to that of Viagra.

Horny Goat Weed is said to be highly effective in treating bronchitis.  As pharmacist,

You-Ping Shu, Ph.D., reports in The Chinese Materia Medica, there is a 74.6% efficacy rate

in clinical trials in treating this condition. The herb has also been used for the relief of asthma.

There are claims that Horny Goat Weed reduces fatigue, increases energy and stamina, and revitalizes the body.  Studies have shown that the herb helps to increase the body's metabolic rate and provides a physical boost.

Horny Goat Weed is believed to be a tonic that improves the overall quality of life. The Chinese Academy of Sciences even recommends the regular use of Horny Goat Weed to slow the ageing process, and there are even claims that the herb helps in cases of absent-mindedness.  There is also strong scientific evidence (in current research), which would support the traditional Chinese herbal use of Horny Goat Weed, claiming that it is helpful for heart, liver and osteopathic problems (particularly inflammation associated with the lower back and knees).  There are also studies in progress, asserting that use of the herb may lower blood pressure by dilating capillaries and blood vessels, thereby increasing blood flow.

Because Horny Goat Weed acts as a hormone balancer, it is believed to relieve the discomforts of menopause and also help ease premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Recommended Dosage:
Take two (2) capsules, one (1) to two (2) times each day with water at mealtimes.

Contraindications:
Currently, there are no known warnings or contraindications with the use of Horny Goat Weed, but overuse (many times the recommended dosage) may cause dizziness, thirst, nausea or nosebleed.

Capsule Size:
We use only 100% Gluten-free, Vegetable Cellulose "00" capsules for all of our encapsulated products. (click here for size comparison)

• Horny Goat Weed - Standardized Extract -- Approximately 600 mg. each