Horny Goats Weed 

The herbal plant known as Horny Goat Weed gets its name from the Latin term "Epipmedium"(often mis-spelt as: Epimedium). Legend in China claims that this weed was ingested by some goats. The herder observed the behavior of the animals after consuming the plant and decided that this plant must contain certain properties associated with aphrodisiacs. After many hundreds of years of use, the specific properties of the plant were identified and their methods of action better understood.

Active Ingredients

One of the principal active ingredients in Horny Goats weed is "icariin". The concentration may determine much of the potency of each particular species of Epimedium. The icariin works by relaxing smooth muscle tissue, which is different from skeletal muscle tissue. The significance of this is that involuntary tension in the internal tissues can be relaxed, which many believe cause the central nervous system to shift from the so-called fight/flight mode into the rest/restore mode. When this change occurs, many elements of a disease tend to reverse because the body is no longer in a stressed condition. Although this many not cure many problems, especially the ones that are in advanced stages, many people use herbs to manage their condition and obtain some relief.

Habitat

Horny goats Weed is found growing all over the southern areas of China, but can also be found in the Asian countries that immediately border China, as well as some neighboring European countries. The Chinese name is Yin Yang Huo, or Xian Ling Pi, and it is used extensively in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It has become popular in the field of Western alternative medicine for use in treating multiple conditions.

One should realize that although the plant may bear the same name, there are close to 60 species of Epimedium plants and over 15 in China that bears the name "Yin Yang Huo." It might be difficult for the layperson to determine the strength and properties of the plant based on the name alone.

The name Horny Goat Weed catches everybody's attention. But behind the clever name lies a serious herb. For horny goat weed is a genuine sex-enhancer, a time-tested aphrodisiac that increases libido in men and women, and improves erectile function in men.

Known also as Epimedium or Yin Yang Huo, horny goat weed leaves were purportedly the food of the yin yang, a mythical animal which achieved one hundred sexual climaxes a day. This legend points to the reputed sexual potency of horny goat weed, and its honored place in traditional Chinese medicine.
 

Benefits and Conditions

Horny Goat Weed is often used to treat osteoporosis and various sexual dysfunctions. However, other uses of the plant include the treatment of hypertension, bronchitis, coronary heart disease, polio and more. This makes sense because the active ingredient works on smooth muscle tissue. This is the tissues that surround the heart. When the heart muscles are under strain, it is easy to visualize how this can cause other problems in the surrounding affected systems.

Secondary benefits can also occur when the smooth muscle tissues relax. The health benefits could extend to relieving fatigue in both the mind and the body, as this herb is employed for this purpose in TCM. It has been used to treat joint pain, numbness, memory problems, painful or cold low back and/or knees, as well as irregular menstrual cycles, spermatorrhea, and impotence. It has been cited as producing an anti-aging effect and can improve the immune system as well as the endocrine system.

Potency and Doses

Although there are many natural concentrations of icariin found in this plant in nature, during the process of cultivation, it is possible to regulate the dose for individual consumption. The individual dose will be partly determined by height, weight and other medical conditions. As always, it is highly recommended for anyone with a medical condition to speak with their appropriate health care professionals about the use of this herb in treating their condition. Overdoses should be avoided, and the potency of the herb is difficult to determine unless provided by a trained professional.

The leaves of this plant are edible, but are known to be extremely bitter and are sold most frequently in capsule form. However, some herbal outlets will also sell it in a prepared form that can be used to make a medicinal tea. The leaves will have been cooked, soaked and re-boiled before packaging to remove the excessive bitterness.

In the United States, horny goat weed has become a phenomeon. But does it work? The distinguished botanist Dr. James Duke has long insisted so. And science is backing that claim, With a human clinical study supervised by New York physician Dr. Steven Lamm and Gerald Secor Cousins. The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of an herbal complex product in which horny goat weed was the primary ingredient. The formula was tested for it effects on sexual satisfaction in healthy male volunteers and male volunteers who use Viagra.

In the study, 25 healthy men and 13 men who used Viagra received daily doses for 45 days of the horny goat weed-based herbal formula. Additional doses were taken one to two hours prior to sexual activity to determine its effect on sexual interest, sexual performance, and overall sexual satisfaction. After 45 days, the double-blind phase of the study began with a placebo product and active product randomly given to healthy men who had reported a positive response in the first phase. All subjects were evaluated after the first 45 days of treatment and finally after 60 days.Results of the study showed thatdaily use of the herbal complex for a minimum of 45 days resulted in an enhancement of sexual satisfaction in 60 percent of healthy male subjects and 45 percent of men using Viagra.

Horny Goat Weed- The Stroy Behind the Name

Horny Goat Weed holds the distinction of having the most obvious name in the history of natural care supplements. You read the name and instantly know what it’s all about. It might be one of the most well-known and oldest herbs for sexual health, dating back over 2,000 years according to some account.

“Also as Epimedium or Yin Yang Huo, horny goat weed was first described in ancient classical Chinese medicinal texts. Today, horny goat weed holds an important place in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is gaining popularity around the world... [as] a time-tested aphrodisiac that... [supports a healthy] libido in men and women.” (Source: health.blogs.foxnews.com)

The story behind this infamous herbal health supplement is every bit as good as its name. As legend has it, a goat herder somewhere in the high elevations of China noticed some peculiar behavior in his flock. But the behavior only came about at certain times. The goat herder couldn’t figure it out. So he studied the flock until he discovered the secret.

The goats became overly sexually excited whenever they fed on a particular patch of flowering plants. The patch of pasture, composed of 25 species of herbaceous plants in the family Berberidaceae, was the secret behind the mysterious behavior of the herder’s horny goats. Thus, for the past 2,000 years, it has been known in herbal supplement guides as Horny Goat Weed.

Rinse the herbs with cold running water; then soak it for 30min. Water : Herbs (3L : 100g)
Bring to a boil, lower the hear and simmer for a further 2hours.
Keep refridgerated and take 1cup 3times daily.(hot or cold)

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