English name: Epimedium Herb Extract, Horny goat weed extract

Latin name: Epimedium grandiflorum L.

 
Synonyms:Shorthorned Epimedium Herb extracts; Epimedium segittatum (Sitb.et Zucc.) Maxim extracts;Horny Goat Weed,Lusty goat herb,etc.
Plant Part Used: Branches and Leaves. 
Extract Solubility:soluble in ethanol. soluble excelent in alcoholic drink. 
 

Description:
Horny Goat Weed has 2,000 years to used as a sex-enhancer in China.Many cultures report that horny goat weed supports libido, erectile function, and helps to relieve menopausal discomfort. One ingredient, maca, is reported to support erectile problems, for men and women with low libido, and for women undergoing menopause. Horny Goat Weed (epimedium) is comprised of several species of epimedium, a leafy plant which grows in the wild, most abundantly at higher altitudes.

Icariin is a flavonol, a type of flavonoid. It is the prenyl acetylation of kaempferide 3,7-O-diglucoside. The compound is derived from several species of plants in the genus Epimedium,which are commonly known as Horny Goat Weed or Yin Yang Huo.Extracts from these plants are reputed to produce aphrodisiac effects, and are commonly used in Chinese herbal medicine to enhance erectile function, as well as for several other indications.

It is thought that icariin is likely to be the primary active component of Epimedium extracts, as it has been shown to share several mechanisms of action with compounds used in Western medicine to treat impotence and improve sexual function. In particular, icariin has been demonstrated to act as a PDE5 inhibitor and to enhance the production of bioactive nitric oxide, as well as mimicking the effects of testosterone.It also shows antioxidant,antidepressantand neuroprotective effects in animal studies, as well as stimulating osteoblast activity in bone tissue which has been linked to a possible therapeutic role in the treatment of osteoporosis.
 

Horny goat weed Claims
Because of the traditional use of epimedium for treating fatigue and boosting sex drive, the majority of the claims for Western dietary supplements center around sex drive: ?Boosts libido?Increases energy levels?Enhances recovery from exercise (via cortisol-control) ?

Horny goat weed Theory
The use of epimedium as a medicinal herb dates back to at least 400 A.D., where it has been used as a tonic for the reproductive system (boosting libido and treating impotence) and as a rejuvenating tonic. Epimedium is thought to work via modulation of cortisol levels. Under conditions of high stress, the increased cortisol levels are known to cause fatigue and depress sex drive - so bringing cortisol levels back into normal ranges is also thought to help restore normal metabolism, energy levels and libido.

Scientific Support
Animal studies have shown that epimedium may function a bit like an adaptogen (such as cordyceps, rhodiola, ashwagandha, and ginseng) by increasing levels of epinephrine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine when they are low (an energy-promoting effect), but reducing cortisol levels when they are elevated. There is also evidence that epimedium can restore low levels of both testosterone and thyroid hormone (bringing low levels back to their normal levels) - which may account for some of the benefits of epimedium in improving libido. Animal studies using epimedium have shown a reduction in bone breakdown, an increase in muscle mass, and a loss of body fat-each of which may be linked to the observed return of abnormal cortisol levels back to normal values (and rhythm). In a series of studies conducted in humans and animals by Chinese researchers, immune-system function was directly suppressed and bone loss was accelerated, by using high-dose synthetic cortisol. 

Icariin safety
Icariin side effects have not yet been mentioned in the medical literature. Since icariin is not sold by itself as a supplement, we have not tested it ourselves to see if it has side effects. At present you can only find icariin as part of a horny goat weed herbal supplement. As such, the horny goat weed supplement will have many other substances within it, therefore it would be difficult to determine what role icariin, alone, would have in the horny goat weed side effect profile. Side effects of high dose horny goat weed herb include rapid heart beat and insomnia.

Certificate of Analysis: