$9.99
| Amount Per Serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Horny Goat Weed (Epimedium brevicornum) (stem & leaf) 1000mg Standardized to >20% Icariins |
† |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
† Daily Value Not Established
‡
These supplement facts may vary from the product you receive. Please call for exact numbers.
Other Ingredients: None
Free of: Sugar, Soy, Dairy, Yeast, Gluten, Corn & Additives.
Directions: As a dietary supplement, take 1000 mg once daily, or as
directed by a physician. Accurate gram weight scale recommended.
Warning: If you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medications or have any medical condition consult your physician before use. DO NOT use if you are taking high blood pressure medications or blood-thinning agents. Keep out of reach of children.
Horny Goat Weed belongs to the genus Epimedium, a group of flowering plants that are native to China. It’s known by many names, including barrenwort, fairy wings, bishop’s hat, and yin yang huo in Traditional Chinese herbalism. Horny goat weed earned its name from the behavior of goats that acted friskier after eating Epimedium plants. It’s also sometimes referred to as icariin, the primary bioactive compound found in the plant.
Horny goat weed’s primary function is to support libido and sexual health. It owes its aphrodisiac properties to its icariin content. Icariin is a prenylated flavonoid and glycoside of kaempferol, a bioflavonoid found in cruciferous vegetables that exerts longevity and antioxidant properties. Animal studies have also shown that horny goat weed can boost testosterone levels in men. Horny goat weed can also increase estrogen in postmenopausal women through icaritin and desmethylicaritin, two icariin derivatives found in some Epimedium plants. Some studies have shown that horny goat weed may support cognitive and cardiovascular health.
Icariin exerts pro-erectile effects by stimulating nitric oxide synthesis (NOS). The body uses nitric oxide to signal cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), a nucleotide that facilitates vasodilation by relaxing smooth muscles and improving blood flow. Icariin further supports libido and sexual health by blocking phosphodiesterase type 5 enzymes (PDE5) from degrading cGMP in smooth muscle cells. In animal studies, icariin’s effects in males increased after repeated doses.
Icariin also has potential as a testosterone booster. The testes contain Leydig cells that are responsible for producing testosterone. Animal studies show that icariin has testosterone mimetic properties that stimulate testosterone production in Leydig cells.
Icariin has some unique, gender-specific properties. Menopause dramatically lowers estrogen levels, triggering the breakdown of bones. Without sufficient estrogen, the body can’t maintain its bone mineral density. A study focused on postmenopausal women found that icariin dramatically reduced the loss of bone mineral density when combined with soy isoflavones. An in vitro study noted that icariin had bone-forming properties, and an animal study reported similar findings. Interestingly, icariin did not exert the same estrogenic effects in men. Researchers believe this is because icariin can exert estrogenic and antiestrogenic effects depending on the individual’s physiology.
Yohimbine is another PDE5 inhibitor that shares the same mechanism of action as icariin. As a result, researchers hypothesize that horny goat weed and yohimbine have synergistic potential.
Maca is a nutrient-rich adaptogenic herb native to Peru and found in the central Andes. The use of maca root as an aphrodisiac, energy booster, and sexual health enhancer dates back hundreds of years among Andean populations. Several human studies have explored maca’s effects on libido and sexual health in both men and women. Maca root improved sexual functioning in postmenopausal women and adult males. Individuals often take horny goat weed with maca to maximize their sexual health-enhancing properties.
Many individuals drink horny goat weed tea to help combat fatigue and stress. It exerts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects by blocking markers of stress and agents that cause inflammation. To prepare the tea, add 1g of horny goat weed to two cups of water. Bring the water to a boil, then let it simmer for 15-20 minutes. Combining horny goat weed with maca improves the energizing effects of this tea. Horny goat weed is somewhat bitter, but adding honey can attenuate this.
Take horny goat weed 1-2 hours before physical activity.
Note: Horny goat weed’s effects build over time, and it can take up to a month to experience the full results.
Horny goat weed may cause minor side effects, such as dizziness, fast heartbeat, or nosebleeds. Taking excessive doses can cause breathing problems. Horny goat weed may interact with certain medications, including blood thinners, medication that affects the heartbeat, and blood pressure medication. Individuals with thyroid disease, cancers affected by hormones, and heart disease shouldn’t take horny goat weed without consulting a physician.
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*NOTE: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.