Horny Goat Weed its Origin and Known Properties

Horny Goat Weed, is one of the many species of the Chinese plant known as Yin Yang Huo, or otherwise known by its scientific name of epimedium. It has earned a good reputation in the annals of Chinese traditional medicine for several medicinal benefits, where records of its use by Chinese medicinal practitioners date as far back as more than 2,000 years ago.
Today, horny goat weed has found its popularity in modern day herbal medicines as a prime ingredient in male enhancement supplements, and is widely favored to be called by its funny sounding moniker of “horny goat weed”. This herbal medicine is found abundant in Bozhou, one of the major herb markets of China, a 12-hour road trip destination on the coast of Jiangsu Province, coming from Shanghai. The area is about 85 acres of major medicinal herbs cultivation, which posts an annual sale of $600 million to the U.S. alone.
Veracity of manufacturer’s claim that horny goat weed is an effective treatment for sexual dysfunction is based mainly on word of mouth and informal publications. Despite horny goat weed’s popularity as an ingredient for male enhancement pills, there is still no medical or scientific report or study to back up its claim as an effective treatment for sexual dysfunction or male impotence. There is not enough data based on results of any clinical studies to recommend horny goat weed as a safe and harmless source of impotency cure.
What Clinical Studies Have Shown About Horny Goat Weed
Alhough, there are medical reports about horny goat weed or epimedium as an herbal treatment, the information regarding the efficiency of the herb and its main component, icariin, is very limited. The plant contains other substances, namely: flavonoids, polysaccharides, sterols, and an alkaloid called magnaflorine.
Benefits of horny goat weed as a medicinal herb:
• Icariin, its main component showed promise as an effective substance to ward off the migration of metastatic or malignant cancer cells.
• Icariin, showed a slight indication as a possible source for PDE5 or phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, a drug known for its use in male sexual dysfunctions in relation to prostrate disorder.
• Epimedium as a whole showed the ability to promote production of antibodies; these results were derived from tests made using laboratory mice.

Adverse Effects of Horny Goat Weed as a Medicinal Cure:
Contra-indications were found in people with hypersensitivity to epimedium and cardiovascular diseases. A case study conducted in 2004, regarding a 66-year-old man with a congestive heart who took a daily supplement of horny goat weed for two weeks. It resulted to the man being hospitalized following the occurrence of symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pains, and the onset of arrhythmia or irregularity of heartbeat.
An overdose of horny goat weed can cause mydriasis, hyperactivities, spasms and cramps, and respiratory depression. Mydriasis, is a common overdose symptom wherein the drug user manifests excessive dilation of the pupils due to prolonged use of a drug, coma, or eye injury.
Horny Goat Weed as an Ingredient in Male Enhancement Supplements
A number of male enhancement manufacturers have capitalized the promotion of their product based on the efficiency of horny goat weed. They expound on its ability to restore the male’s impaired sexual aggressiveness, enhance the quality of the penile erection, boost sexual prowess, and allow longer endurance in sexual activities. It also claims to have a positive effect in alleviating menopausal discomfort among women.
The Food and Drug Administration has not issued any statement endorsing or disallowing the use of horny goat weed, considering that herbal supplements are basically harmless as far as their ingredients are concerned. Individuals however, are constantly advised to consult their physicians first before taking any form of supplement whether drug based or herbal.

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