Horny Goat Weed – Side Effects and Health Benefits

Botanical Name: Epimedium grandiflorum, Epimedium sagittatum.

Other Common Names: Barrenwort, bishop’s hat, fairy wings xian ling pi chien-hsieh, and yin-yang-hua (arrow-leaf barrenwort).

Habitat: It is native to China and grows best in high altitudes.

Plant Description: Horny goat weed is a rhizomatous perennial herb.

The plant has light yellow, violet, red, and white flowers, and oval fruits.

Plant Parts Used: Flowering parts and seeds.

Therapeutic Benefits and Uses of Horny Goat Weed

Horny goat weed has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years to promote male potency and as an herbal aphrodisiac.

The legend says that it got its name when a Chinese shepherd noticed his male goats affectionate reaction to the female goats after digesting the weed.

Horny goat weed operates as a diuretic, a tonic, and a hypertensive.

It increases the nitric oxide levels, which relax smooth muscle thus allowing more blood flow which explains its uses as an herbal remedy for erectile dysfunctions.

It has been used to increase seminal emissions and premature ejaculation as well.

Horny goat weed is probably one of the most popular herbs used for the treatment of low male libido.

It is not just used as an herbal sexual stimulant for men but also used for the same purpose with women.

It has been used as an herbal remedy for bronchitis, asthma, antibacterial, antirheumatic, antitussive, hypoglycemic, tonic, and vasodilator.

Herbalists have used it to naturally lower blood sugar levels, to treat lumbago, arthritis, numbness, and weakness of the limbs.

Horny goat weed is thought to be able to increase levels of epinephrine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine and could be effective as an herbal remedy for anxiety and stress.

In some human and animal studies the ability of horny goat weed to return cortisol levels back to normal has now been linked to its potential for bringing about a reduction in bone deterioration and an increase in muscle mass, as well as a loss of body fat and improvement in the immune-system but more studies are needed to validate these claims.

There has been some indication that horny goat weed, when combined with Morinda citrifolia, could be a good herbal remedy to treat menopause and related symptoms.

It should be noted, however, that there are still no scientific studies to confirm or support this.

In some animal studies, horny goat weed has been shown to raise adrenaline, noradrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine levels.

Dopamine may be responsible for the reproductive effects as it can cause a release of testosterone which could explain its popularity as an herbal libido enhancer.

Dosage and Administration

Recommended dose of horny goat weed is usually around 250-1,000 mg daily.

Side Effects and Possible Interactions of Horny Goat Weed

It can cause hypersensitivity and allergic reaction in some people.

Pregnant and nursing women should not take horny goat weed.

If too much is ingested, it can cause nosebleed, thirst, and vomiting.

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