Does Horny Goat Weed Really Work?
By: Rob Miller
Horny Goat Weed…a funny name for an herb that deals with the serious issue of sexual dysfunction. Although the name has made it the butt of many
jokes, this herbaceous plant has become a mainstay in many sexual enhancement products. Does it really work to overcome erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, suppressed libido, and other sexually related problems? Let’s take a closer look.
The History of Horny Goat Weed
Horny goat weed’s botanical name is epimedium. It’s also known as Yin Yang Huo, bishop’s hat, and rowdy lamb herb. It is native to China, Persia, and the Mediterranean. This flowering plant has been used to treat sexual dysfunction for more than 2,000 years in China.
Legend says that horny goat weed first came into use for humans after a goat herder noticed that the animals became more sexually active after snacking on this plant. Now you can see that the nickname horny goat weed is self-explanatory.
How Horny Goat Weed Works
When the Chinese began using horny goat weed to treat sexual dysfunction 2,000 years ago, they didn’t understand what made it work; they just knew it did. Today we have a scientific explanation why this little plant is capable of improving sexual function in both men and women.
We know that one of the main components of horny goat weed is a substance called icarin. Icarin raises the body’s level of nitric oxide, which relaxes smooth muscles such as those found in the genitals and allows increased blood flow to the region. It also inhibits the activity of PDE-5, a substance which makes it more difficult to achieve and sustain erections. Epimedium actually works similarly to the chemicals found in Viagra.
Other components of horny goat weed are flavonoids, sterols, and magnaflorine.
It is believed that these elements have a variety of influences on sexual biochemistry, including enhancing neurotransmitters in the brain that effect arousal levels and emotions.
When horny goat weed is combined with other aphrodisiac-like herbs, the effect is even more powerful.
Other Uses for Horny Goat Weed
Horny goat weed has other medicinal uses besides improving sexual function. It is believed that it effectively relieves many of the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause and helps decrease the effects of osteoporosis. Horny goat weed has also proven helpful in the treatment of joint, kidney, liver, and back disorders.
It has been used to treat osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, memory loss, mental and physical fatigue, and several other conditions.
Horny Goat Weed Side Effects
In China, where epimedium has been used for centuries, there have been no reported side effects other than an increased desire for sexual activity. In the United States, some physicians have expressed concern that long-term use of horny goat weed could lower blood pressure in those who already have hypotension. There is also concern that this herb could prove unsafe to unborn children or nursing babies. If you have any concerns about using horny goat weed, talk to your physician before you start taking it.
Horny goat weed is one of the oldest, most effective, and safest aphrodisiacs available today. It is found in many products designed to enhance sexual function and pleasure in both men and women. If you are considering trying a sexual enhancement supplement, look for horny goat weed or epimedium on the label.
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User Questions and Answers
How many do I take a day? -Fred
According to WebMD, at this point, too little research has been done to know what an effective dose of Horny Goat Weed would be.- Rob
6 out of 7 people found this question helpful.
Does this product cure premature ejaculation -Clive
There's no conclusive evidence that it does, but it could provide some help.- Rob
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Rob Miller
Rob Miller founded SupplementCritique.com over 7 years ago, and has been the chief editor ever since. He has a diploma in Advanced Dietary Supplements Advisor, and worked at GNC for 3 years. He KNOWS supplements, both inside and out. Rob currently resides in Jupiter, FL, with his wife of 4 years. Learn more about him in his Bio here. Follow him on Twitter , Facebook, LinkedIn, or find him on Google +. View all posts by Rob Miller
When using horny goat weed alone I need a dose of 5000 mg, that’s a full five grams, to get and sustain an erection capable of vaginal penetration, and lasting ten to fifteen minutes beyond intromission. The side effects are most unpleasant but because they are brief are bearable considering the forthcumming (couldn’t resist) reward.
Granted few probably take as much as I do and even if you do it may not work for you. Because there are much better and less problematic supplements and pharmaceuticals available my future use of horny goat weed will be sporadic and probably only lower doses to enhance other penis erectors. My question is, if you use horny goat weed in whatever dosage, how much do you take?
Second question is, does anyone else experience the numbness, mostly in the face, similar to the wearing off of Novocaine I described in my review? If so please provide details.
I’ve only done it a handful of times, but I think I took a MUCH lesser dose of 500 mg of Horny Goat weed.
In the interest of accuracy some questions:
There are sixty some odd different species of horny goat weed, sometimes listed as barrenwort on ingredient labels. The two that pop up the most are epimidium grandiflorum and epimidium saggitarium.
Is there any appreciable difference between them? Horny goat weed is sold combined with one or two other ingredients rather than as a single product.
Would it be better to write about horny goat weed itself, then review horny goat weed combined with maca, or can combine in a single review.?
Yeah the one most commonly found in most of these male enhancement supplements is epimedium sagittatum. I’ve never actually them independently like that, they’ve always been part of an all around formula.
For the purposes of this page, I would just write a review of Horny Goat weed with no other combinations.