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.

It is claimed that it works as an aphrodisiac - and this claim does in fact have some scientific support. Its active ingredient is icariin - and scientific study has shown that "Icariin may have a therapeutic effect on erectile dysfunction"[4], "Chronic oral treatment with Icariin increases the erectile function of arteriogenic erectile dysfunction rats" [5].

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]

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 claimed that it has increased their libido. [1]

7 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, claiming 60 are in cultivation. [6]