HORNY GOAT WEED

HORNY GOAT WEED


OVERVIEW



Horny Goat Weed (also called Epimedium or Yin Yang Huo) is a Chinese herbal preparation used for the treatment of sexual dysfunction. It is also used for maintaining kidney health.Chinese legends claim Horny Goat Weed got its name when a shepherd noticed his goats became particularly sexually active after eating the leaves of the Epimedium plant.

Epimedium has been shown to increase the blood levels of corticosterone and testosterone hormones. It also expands the circulatory system's blood vessels, improving the circulation of these hormones. The combination of increased testosterone levels and dilation of blood vessels has been shown to improve sexual function in males, as well as females.Epimedium has also been used to improve kidney function, particularly kidney disorders related to heart disease.

Epimedium, also known as Barrenwort, Bishop's Hat, Fairy Wings, Horny Goat Weed, or Yin Yang Huo (Chinese : 淫羊藿), is a genus of about 60 or more species of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Berberidaceae. The large majority are endemic to southern China, with further outposts in Europe, and central, southern and eastern Asia.

Epimedium species are hardy perennials. The majority have four-petaled "spider-like" flowers in spring. Many are believed to be aphrodisiacs.



APHRODISIAC



Many species of Epimedium are alleged to have aphrodisiac qualities. According to legend, this property was discovered by a Chinese goat herder who noticed sexual activity in his flock after they ate the weed. It is sold as a health supplement, usually in raw herb or pill form and sometimes blended with other supplements. The over-exploitation of wild populations of Epimedium for use in traditional Chinese medicine is having potentially serious consequences for the long-term survival of several species, none of which are widely cultivated for medicinal purposes.

The "active ingredient" in Epimedium is icariin, which can be found in standardized extracts from 5% up to 60% potent. Strengths above that are usually reserved for lab use.Icariin is purported to work by increasing levels of nitric oxide, which relax smooth muscle.