What is Horny Goat weed?
Horny Goat Weed is a very popular herb native to Southeast Asia and the Mediterranean region that is used around the world as an aphrodisiac. Horny goat weed is known in the science world as Epimedium Grandiflorum but is also popularly known as Ying Yang Hup and Rowdy Lamb Herb. Epimedium has been an important part of Chinese medicine for generations and has also become very popular in other cultures such as in Jamaica. The leaves of the horny goat weed contain valuable chemicals including flavonoids, sterols, polysaccharides and magnaflorine. Along with the leaves, the plant also produces seeds that are also used for their health benefits.
How to use Horny Goat Weed?
Persons seeking to harvest the benefits of horny goat weed can do so by using the leaves to make an herbal tea. To make the herbal tea, the leaves are cleaned and then crushed or grinded and then added to a container of boiling water. The leaves are then allowed to seep for a few minutes before being sweetened and consumed. Horny goat weed is also used to manufacture a wide array of tonics drinks, powders and sexual enhancing supplements.
Horny goat weed powder maybe taken up to three times daily with a meal but it is important to take this and all other herbs in moderation in order to reduce the chances of encountering negative side effects. Consuming too much horny goat weeds may lead to an increase in heart rate or rhythm fluctuations.
THE BENEFITS
1. Horny goat weed treats erectile dysfunction
The most common use of horny goat weed is for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. It contains the substance icariin, which works in the same way as the substance sildenafil (viagra) resulting in erections and increased arousal. While icariin has been shown to have weaker effects than sildenafil, many find horny goat weed to be an effective treatment.
2. It boosts sexual libido
Horny goat weed is not just for men, it is commonly prescribed by holistic healthcare practitioners for both men and women as a treatment for low libido. The plant contains alkaloids and plant sterols that cause effects in the body similar to testosterone, increasing arousal and sex drive.
3. It combats osteoporosis
Early research suggests that postmenopausal women taking horny goat weed for 12-24 months may have reduction in bone loss of the spine and hip. The substance icariin stimulates osteoblasts, which are the cells responsible for new bone formation.
4. It improves brain function
Horny goat weed improves blood flow to the brain, improving cognitive function.
5. It alleviates menopause symptoms
Although it doesn’t contain any hormones, horny goat weed contains compounds that mimic hormones in the human body. Apart from the alkaloids and plant sterols that cause effects in the body similar to testosterone, horny goat weed also contains the compound desmethylicaritin, which increases estrogen production in women. Overall, horny goat weed seems to help balance hormones. This can be helpful for controlling PMS and menopause symptoms which are related to hormonal fluctuations