Horny Goat Weed: Can It Treat Erectile Dysfunction?
Horny Goat Weed: Can It Treat Erectile Dysfunction?
Horny goat weed may have health benefits for people with erectile dysfunction. It may work similarly to some prescription medications.
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When it comes to treating illness or physical health conditions, you may be curious about exploring the benefits of natural herbs and supplements. While certain medications or lifestyle changes can certainly help alleviate symptoms, you may have also heard people say that they saw similar improvements using herbs like horny goat weed.
But what conditions does horny goat weed aim to treat and is it even effective as an herbal supplement? In this article, we'll explain how horny goat weed is thought to help people experiencing ED, as well as how it's used, where it's found, and more.
Horny goat weed is an over-the-counter herbal supplement that's sold at most pharmacies and large retailers. The active ingredient is icariin, an extract of the Epimedium plant that's reported to benefit people with erectile dysfunction (ED).
Epimedium is a genus that has over 50 species. When looking at horny goat weed, we most commonly will see Epimedium grandiflorum and Epimedium sagittatum species specifically in horny goat weed supplements.
It's sold in many different forms, including:
- tablets
- capsules
- powders
- teas
It's also known as:
- yin yang huo
- barrenwort
- rowdy lamb herb
- randy beef grass
While research is limited, horny goat weed is believed to be a possible therapeutic for congestive heart failure and osteoporosis, according to a animal study in rats. However, it's probably most well known as a remedy for ED.
When you're sexually stimulated, nitric oxide signals a chemical called cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) that causes the smooth muscle to relax, resulting in an inflow of blood into three tube-like cylinders in the penis which then leads to an erection.
With ED, an enzyme named protein phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) interferes with the nitric oxide and cGMP that relaxes the smooth muscle in the arteries. As a result, the blood can't move through the arteries and create an erection.
ED is defined as the inability to get and maintain an erection firm enough to have sexual intercourse. Most people who have a penis have experienced times when they were unable to sustain an erection, but that doesn't mean they have ED. But if it happens regularly, you may have ED.
Icariin inhibits the activity of the PDE5 that's blocking dilation of the arteries in the penis. This allows blood to fill the arteries and the three cylinders in the penis and create an erection. The prescription medication sildenafil (Viagra) works in much the same way.
However, horny goat weed may not work for everyone. Using it can also result in side effects or adverse interactions with other medications you may be taking.
Before starting this or any supplement, consult with your healthcare professional about the risks and benefits and find the best supplement for you.
As with many supplements, the claims about the effectiveness of horny goat weed are expansive. But as with many other natural supplements, research on the effects of horny goat weed on humans is limited.
The FDA also does not routinely test supplements before they're sold to consumers for quality. To make sure your horny goat weed supplements are safe to use and to ask about the contents, talk with the manufacturer directly.
An animal study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine involved investigating its effects on rats. Researchers found that rats treated with purified extract of horny goat weed showed improved erectile function.
In another study from , researchers found that icariin is effective in inhibiting human PDE5, the substance that blocks erections, in test tubes. It also determined that sildenafil is 80 times more potent than icariin.
In a review of medicinal plants for inhibiting PDE5, the study found that icariin is the most effective plant-based option for ED.
There hasn't been more recent research on the effects of horny goat weed and erectile function, though it has been shown to help other conditions like an anti-inflammatory.
Horny goat weed has a long history of use in traditional Eastern medicine. According to legend, its name came about because a goat herder noticed his flock became sexually stimulated after eating the plant.
The plant is native to parts of China, Japan, and Korea. Today, it's widely grown as an ornamental plant in many areas of the world, including the United States. You can find horny goat weed over-the-counter.
There's no set dosage for horny goat weed other than the recommended serving size as set by the manufacturer. As a result, the amount of horny goat weed or horny goat weed extract varies ' generally 500 to 1,000 milligrams (mg) per serving ' depending on the brand.
If you're unsure about what dosage is right for you, consider talking with your healthcare professional to get their recommendations on dosage and to learn how horny goat weed might affect you.
Also, remember that results will vary from person to person. So, it's important to contact your doctor if you experience any side effects after use.
Pros
- easily accessible in multiple forms and sold over the counter
- it's been found to reduce the effects of joint pain and fatigue
Cons
- large amounts taken at once can result in spasms and breathing problems
- it may interact negatively with certain medicatinos
The side effects of horny goat weed are minor when it's taken over a few months' time. But horny goat weed can cause:
Large amounts taken at once can result in spasms and breathing problems.
According to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, horny goat weed does come with some risks.
The organization says that people with heart disease or hormone-sensitive cancer should talk with their doctor before taking the herb. The herb can lead to sweating or feeling hot, but more research needs to be done on the effects.
Some medications and medical conditions may place you at greater risk if you take horny goat weed. These include:
- medications that treat high blood pressure
- medications that can cause irregular heartbeat
- medications that thin your blood
- heart disease
- hormone-sensitive cancer, like breast cancer or ovarian cancer
- thyroid disease
You also shouldn't take horny goat weed if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a bleeding disorder. If you take any of these medications or have any of the conditions listed above, you should speak with your doctor before taking horny goat weed.
You should also avoid ibuprofen and over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers while taking the supplement.
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For more Epimedium Leaf Powderinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
Horny goat weed may cause an allergic reaction in some people if they have allergies to plants in the Berberidaceae family. Some symptoms of a reaction include:
- rash
- sweating
- feeling hot
Horny goat weed can be dangerous when too much is consumed. There's no set prescription dosage because it's an OTC herb. There's also not much scientific data to back it up as a medically sound supplement.
Horny goat weed has other medical properties and is sometimes used to improve bone density. It may also help treat heart disease, bronchitis, and even polio.
It works by smoothing muscle tissue. Any strained tissue will get a bit of relief. This can help with joint pain and numbness.
Horny goat weed may have the potential to treat:
There are other options for treating ED if horny goat weed isn't for you. Standard treatments include medications, vacuum pumps, and surgery in some cases. If you're looking for natural alternatives for treating ED, some to consider include:
- red ginseng
- DHEA
- L-arginine
- acupuncture
- lifestyle changes, like quitting smoking if you smoke, or increasing physical activity such as exercising
All of these natural treatments require further study before definitively stating whether these options are good for ED. Before trying any of these treatments, talk with a healthcare professional to see what will be best for you and to rule out any illnesses that might be causing your ED.
If you're experiencing the symptoms of ED, it may be best to reach out to your healthcare professional if you have had trouble achieving or maintaining an erection several times over the course of a few weeks. ED is a common health issue, especially as you age, and your doctor will be familiar with many of the current treatment methods.
However, if you aren't ready to sit down and discuss your concerns just yet, you can explore over-the-counter herbal supplements, like horny goat weed, as long as you stay within the manufacturer's recommended dosage.
It's worth noting that if you begin to see side effects from the supplement ' like slower blood clotting or lowered blood pressure ' consider discontinuing use and talking with your doctor, as horny goat weed might be interacting poorly with other medications you may be taking.
Finally, if you have been taking an herbal supplement, like horny goat weed, and aren't seeing improvements in your ED symptoms, your doctor can discuss exploring other supplements, lifestyle changes, or medications that may help.
Does horny goat weed make you bigger?
What does horny goat weed do?
Horny goat weed contains a chemical compound called icariin that can help promote blood flow and treat various cardiovascular diseases. One of the biggest health issues that icariin can treat is erectile dysfunction (ED) by counteracting the protein phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) enzyme that interferes with blood flow to the penis and prevents an erection. By inhibiting PDE5, the symptoms of ED can be reduced over time.
However, horny goat weed may not work for everyone, and using it can result in side effects or adverse interactions with other medications you may be taking. Before starting an herbal supplement like horny goat weed, consider talking with a medical professional for advice.
Does horny goat weed work?
There is evidence that horny goat weed can treat erectile dysfunction (ED) as well as some cardiovascular diseases. While there isn't a large body of evidence or reliable studies to support its overall effectiveness, researchers have found that it shows promising results.
If you are experiencing the symptoms of ED, you may want to consider trying horny goat weed, especially because it's available over the counter and doesn't require a prescription. But if you are not finding that your symptoms improve after 2 or 3 weeks of taking the supplement, it may be best to talk with a healthcare professional so they can help you build a more effective or targeted treatment plan.
The verdict is mixed on the effectiveness of horny goat weed. It appears to have some beneficial properties, but more research is needed to learn if it's effective and safe for the general public.
If you're experiencing ED, talk with your doctor before choosing any treatment options.
Epimedium
Common Names
- Horny Goat Weed
- Yin Yang Huo
- Inyokaku
- Herba Epimedii
For Patients & Caregivers
Tell your healthcare providers about any dietary supplements you're taking, such as herbs, vitamins, minerals, and natural or home remedies. This will help them manage your care and keep you safe.
What is it?Scientific evidence to support use of Epimedium is limited. More studies are needed to confirm its safety and efficacy.
Epimedium is a Chinese herb traditionally used to treat fatigue and sexual problems. Cancer patients may experience symptoms of sexual dysfunction such as painful intercourse, loss of libido, and ability to maintain arousal. These problems can be caused by many factors: stress, emotional distress, hormone changes, as well as various cancer treatments. Initial results suggest that a special blend of Epimedium may help prevent bone loss, but more studies are needed.
Epimedium may affect hormone levels, and should be avoided in patients with hormone-sensitive cancers or those with heart disease.
What are the potential uses and benefits?- Fatigue
Epimedium is traditionally used for fatigue but it has not been studied in clinical trials. - Osteoporosis
A small randomized trial shows that Epimedium may help prevent bone loss in women who have had menopause for a long time. - Sexual dysfunction
Epimedium is traditionally used in herbal formulas for sexual dysfunction. More studies are needed to verify such effects.
- Sweating or feeling hot
- Rapid irregular heartbeat
- Increase in energy
- Mood changes
Do Not Take if:
- You are sensitive to Epimedium.
- You have heart disease: Epimedium caused rapid irregular heartbeat and excitability in a patient with heart disease.
- You are taking drugs that are metabolized by the cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme, or drugs that are aromatase inhibitors, like anastrozole, exemestane, and letrozole. Clinical relevance is not known.
For Healthcare Professionals
Scientific Name Epimedium sagittatum, Epimedium grandiflorum, Epimedium brevicornum Clinical SummaryEpimedium is an herb used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat fatigue, arthritic pain, nerve pain, and sexual dysfunction. It is thought to alter levels of certain hormones and is marketed as a dietary supplement for libido. Epimedium showed antiosteoporotic (1), neuroprotective (2) (3) (4) , immunomodulatory (5) (6), and anticancer effects (7) (8) (9), as well as anti-HIV activity (10) in preclinical studies. Epimedium derivatives also produced radiosensitizing effects (11) and reversed multidrug resistance (12) in tumor cells.
Small controlled studies and a systematic review suggest benefits of Epimedium for post-menopausal osteoporosis (13) (25) (26) but not for relieving symptoms of Gulf War Illness (27). Other published trials tend to combine this herb in a botanical 'recipe,' confounding the determination of any specific contributions from Epimedium or its components. Further, the safety of such phytotherapeutic compounds needs to be determined.
Patients with hormone-sensitive cancers should use Epimedium with caution as it demonstrated estrogenic effects (14). Cancer patients may experience sexual dysfunction symptoms including painful intercourse, loss of libido, and difficulty in maintaining arousal. These problems are often multifactorial and can be caused by stress, distress, and hormonal changes, as well as treatments involving surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or hormone therapy. Therefore, patients should consult and be monitored by a physician to properly address individual symptoms of sexual dysfunction.
Purported Uses and Benefits- Fatigue
- Osteoporosis
- Sexual dysfunction
Icariin, a major active constituent of Epimedium, promotes estrogen biosynthesis, and enhances aromatase mRNA and protein expression as well as alkaline phosphatase activity in vitro (1). However, other studies have attributed estrogen-like activity to icariin derivatives icaritin and desmethylicaritin, rather than icariin itself (14). Icariin can also exhibit a mild phosphodiesterase-5 inhibition effect (16). It has been implicated in differentiation of stem cells into cardiomyocytes via cell cycle regulation, induction of apoptosis, modulation of reactive oxygen species generation, and the regulation of various signaling pathways (17). In undifferentiated neuronal cell lines, it exhibited neuroprotective effects through LDH leakage attenuation which reduced GSH depletion, prevented DNA oxidation damage, and inhibited caspase-3 and p53 activation; and inhibited JNK/p38 MAPK pathways (4). Icariin was also shown to reduce viability of human esophageal cancer cells by regulating apoptotic signaling, which is mediated by endoplasmic reticulum stress (23).
Icaritin, a prenylflavonoid derivative, induced sustained activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway and apoptosis in both breast (9) and endometrial cancer cells (18). It also induced G2/M phase cell-cycle arrest and downregulated G2/M regulatory protein expression (9). Its radiosensitizing effects suggest ERK1/2 and AKT pathway suppression, enhanced apoptosis, and induced G2/M blockage (11). Also, icaritin may reverse doxorubicin resistance in human hepatoma cells by increasing intracellular drug accumulation, and by decreasing MDR1 and P-glycoprotein expression (12). In another study, addition of an epimedium extract to gefitinib was shown effective against drug resistance caused by T790M mutation in non-samll cell lung cancer cells (24).
Contraindications- Hypersensitivity to Epimedium (19)
- Cardiovascular disease (20)
Sweating or feeling hot in high doses; however, toxicity and safety evaluations are lacking (21)
Case reports
Vasculitic rash, pain, and burning sensation: Induced by either ginkgo and/or horny goat weed herbal remedies that a 77-year-old male colorectal cancer survivor reported taking to improve memory and libido. Patient was hospitalized for 3 days. Medical history included curative resection 8 years prior, hypertension managed with lisinopril for 4 years, and no other medication or health complaints. A working diagnosis of vasculitic rash secondary to adverse reactions to either herbal preparation was made due to cessation of symptoms upon discontinuation of these products and after 3 weeks' follow-up (19).
Tachyarrhythmia and hypomania: A 66-year-old man with congestive heart failure was hospitalized following symptoms of shortness of breath, chest pain, and new-onset symptomatic arrhythmia. He reported taking Epimedium daily for 2 weeks to increase sexual pleasure. His symptoms were brought under control by administering olanzapine along with lorazepam (20).
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Herb-Drug Interactions- Cytochrome P450 substrates: Prolonged use of Epimedium can induce CYP3A4 through the activation of pregnane X receptor (22) . Clinical relevance is not known.
- Aromatase Inhibitors: Icariin enhances the action of aromatase (1). This may reduce the effect of aromatase inhibitors, like anastrozole, exemestane, and letrozole. Clinical relevance is not known.
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