Horny Goat Weed

"Horny goat weed has been used safely for more than 2,000 years. The reason? It works." - Chris Kilham, medicinal plant researcher and ethnobotanist.

Horny Goat Weed or "Horney Goat Weed" (Latin name Epimedium) - or Yin Yang Huo in ancient Chinese medical literature - is a leafy plant now often grown in North America. It was first described in ancient Chinese medical literature two thousand years old. [1] Books on herbalism suggest it as a cure for male impotence / erectile dysfunction and claim that it stimulates androgen hormone production without affecting estrogen. [2]

Although the name would appear at first glance to be a modern marketing gimmick, Horny Goat Weed was so named a very long time ago. Legend has it that this plant got its amusing name from an old Chinese goat herder, who noticed that his goats, having eaten the plant, showed marked signs of increased sexual activity. It has also picked up other nicknames along the way - "Lusty Goatherb", "Rowdy Lamb Herb", Barrenwort, Fairy Wings and "Bishop's Hat" (due to the shape of the leaves). [3]

Horny Goat Weed has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine throughout the ages and is considered one of the best sexual tonics and restorers of "sexual power" for men. [1] Now, Horny Goat Weed is sold as a dietary supplement worldwide and has enjoyed a meteoric rise in popularity since the 1990's.

However, use of Horny Goat Weed is not restricted only to men - and Horny Goat Weed formulas have proved themselves extremely popular with women - who have also claimed that it has increased their libido. [1]

Horny Goat Weed - Scientific Studies

The claim that Epimedium functions as an aphrodisiac does in fact have some scientific support. Its active ingredient is thought to be icariin - and scientific study has shown that "Icariin may have a therapeutic effect on erectile dysfunction" [4]. Another study found that "Chronic oral treatment with Icariin increases the erectile function of arteriogenic erectile dysfunction rats" [5].

There have also been human scientific trials. Additionally, in a double blind placebo human trial conducted by Dr. Lamm of New York, daily use of 808mg of "Pinnacle Horny Goat Weed Formula" (which also contains maca) resulted in "enhanced sexual satisfaction in 60 percent of healthy men and 45 percent of Viagra users. [1]

Icariin is said to work in a similar manner to some modern erectile dysfunction medicines (such as the famous one whose name begins with "V") - by inhibiting the activity of PDE-5. [1] Not only this but epimedium may have deeper effects on the sexual function by "upregulating genes associated with nitric oxide production and changes in adenosine / guanine monophosphate balance". [3]

In 2011, a study has found that Icarisid II, a substance extracted and purified from Icariin "increases cellular cGMP by enhancing NOS in diabetic ED rats corpus cavernosum tissue", indicating a potential compound for treatment of erectile dysfunction. [6]

Several species of Epimedium / Horny Goat Weed are said to have aphrodisiac qualities. Seven species of Horny Goat Weed (E. Alpinum, Brevicornum, Grandiflorum, Koreanum, Pubescens, Sagittatum, Wushanese) are listed in the American Herbal Products Association's Herbs of Commerce - Wikipedia's Epimedium article lists 37 species , claiming 60 are in cultivation. [7]

Horny Goat Weed is clearly one of the better 'contenters' in the field of aphrodisiacs. It seems that with some more study (new papers are appearing on Pubmed all the time) there might be some scientific 'proof'... in the meantime however Horny Goat Weed is available as a supplement in many places.

Horny Goat Weed and the Environment

There is however an unfortunate twist to the tale: Epimedium is not widely cultivated for medicinal use. It is said that wild populations of the plant are being over-exploited by Traditional Chinese Medicine and the supplement industry - and it is said that the long term survival of the species could be in jeopardy. [1] This is an all-too common scenario in the world of herbal supplements; great demand from the West leads to the herb's elevation in status to being a desirable and profitable plant to harvest, which leads to an overharvesting in a form of 'gold rush'. Perhaps a good measure to protect such a species would be cultivation of the plant. This would hopefully have the effect of raising availability and lowering the price. If there was less money in wild harvesting, it would happen less, giving the native populations a chance to recover their balance. However, there is often a demand for 'wild harvested' herbs as these are often believed to be more pure or of superior quality. It's a complex scenario with no easy solution - and the consumer is urged to demand products that are harvested in a sustainable manner.

Another possibility that some might wish to explore is the home cultivation of Horny Goat Weed. It has been a "hugely popular" garden plant in Japan for centuries [3] - meaning that it is not likely all that difficult to grow.

Horny Goat Weed and other potential medicinal benefits

In recent years Horny Goat Weed has generated interest for other medicinal potential. Animal studies have shown that its ingredient Icariin stimulates "osteoblast activity" in bone tissue, meaning that it may have benefit for treatment of osteoporosis. [3]

Recent studies (2011) have found that Icaritin, a compound from Epimedium, possesses anti-tumor activity. [8] [9]

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