What is Horny Goat Weed?

There’s no way around it so it’s best to get it out right up front: The horny goat weed is used for exactly what you think it would be used for. The name comes from an ancient Chinese legend about a goat herder grazing his herd in a remote mountain valley. When the goats got into a patch of the plant he supposedly noticed how much more amorous his goats were. Legends aside, I’m not sure I would have chosen the goat as the model for sexual potency.

The goat herder legend dates back about 2,000 years and ancient Chinese medicinal texts describe the use of “Yin Yang Huo” as a cure for erectile dysfunction in men and a way to increase sexual desire in both men and women.

Horny goat weed is the common name given to a specific plant in a species of plant called an epimedium. These green leafy plants grow best at high altitudes and can be found throughout Asia. The leaves of the plant contain a variety of flavonoids, polysaccharides, sterols and an alkaloid called magnaflorine. It is unclear exactly how the plant affects the body but it has been employed as an aphrodisiac for centuries.

Scientific Research

The substance in horny goat weed, and other emimediums, that causes the reported increase in sexual desire is a substance called icariin. This flavonol can be found as an extract in varying potencies up to about 60% potent. It’s this substance that is believed to alter levels of both nitric oxide and PDE-5 in the system. These two chemicals control erections in men and the alteration of these chemicals is what makes Sildenafil, also known as Viagra, so effective. Studies done in Italy have found thatthe icariin found in horny goat weed can inhibit PDE-5 at the same level as Sildenafil which would support the traditional Chinese claim that the horny goat weed is an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction. Some studies even indicate that epimedium, including horny goat weed, can have an even greater effect on nitric oxide and PDE-5 levels in men than Viagra.

Side effects

Even though horny goat weed is a natural plant, there are still risks associated with natural botanicals with powerful chemical properties. PDE-5 is an enzyme that controls blood flow throughout the body. Substances that inhibit this enzyme, like Viagra or the icariin in horny goat weed, can lead to headache dizziness or even vision problems as serious as blindness. As always, inform your medical professional if you use any supplement, natural or otherwise, as they may react with current medications you are taking.

Final Thought

I don’t know the actual figure, but I think it’s safe to assume a lot of money is spent on erectile dysfunction pills in this country and all over the world. I do know the side effects can be severe so if honey goat weed is a legitimate substitute, that’s good news for men and women all over the world.