Summary

Horny goat weed, also known as epimedium, is a herbal aphrodisiac and testosterone enhancer. [1]

Benefits and Effects

Treating Erectile Dysfunction

Horny goat weed facilitates the flow of blood to the penis while protecting penile muscle cells from death. [2] [3]

Topping Off Testosterone

In rats, horny goat weed has been shown to boost testosterone, which is also associated with libido and energy. [4]

Combating Dementia

Horny goat weed inhibits a key biological marker of Alzheimer’s disease in rat embryos. [5] It may improve spatial learning and memory in rats while protecting against cognitive decline. [6] [7]

Stimulating Neurogenesis

Horny goat weed defends brain cells against various toxins like aluminum and hydrogen peroxide. [8] [9] Additionally, it may encourage the growth of new brain cells by stimulating dormant neural stem cells. [10] [11]

Alleviating Stress and Depression

Horny goat weed may decrease activity in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which plays an important role in mitigating physiological responses to stress. [12]

Promoting Bone Growth and Repair

Horny goat weed boosts bone growth and repair while suppressing the breakdown of bones. [13] [14] In postmenopausal women, horny goat weed has improved hip and lower spine bone density. [15] It also helped prevent cartilage and bone degradation in mice with arthritis. [16]

Strengthening the Heart

In addition to improving overall heart function, it also prevented cell death in rats with heart failure. [17] By widening blood vessels, reducing cholesterol levels and aiding blood flow throughout the heart, horny goat weed may lower risk of stroke. [89] [19] Icariin even stimulates the growth of new heart muscles. [20] [21]

Reducing Inflammation

By reducing intestinal inflammation, horny goat weed can alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. [22] It may also improve asthma symptoms by reducing airway inflammation. [23]

Fighting Fatigue

In mice, icariin prevents physical fatigue and increases endurance. Additionally, it boosts blood glucose, hemoglobin and glycogen levels. Therefore, it’s believed to enhance workout performance. [24]

Slowing Aging

Horny goat weed defends DNA from oxidative damage that comes naturally with age, promoting DNA repair in mice. [25] [26] In worms, it improves stress resistance and movement. [27] Icariin also kills bacteria linked to acne. [28]

Delaying Premature Ejaculation

PDE5 inhibitors like horny goat weed have proven to help men prolong their sexual performance in double-blind studies. [29]

How It Works

Horny goat weed may improve estrogen production in postmenopausal women. These gender-specific hormone benefits may contribute to horny goat weed’s positive physical and mental effects.

Horny Goat Weed vs Viagra

Horny goat weed and Viagra both work by releasing nitric oxide, which relaxes penile muscles and encourages genital blood flow. Considering epimedium’s other health benefits, many men consider it a better alternative to Viagra.

Dosage

Based on rodent data, horny goat weed’s testosterone-boosting effects occurs at about 900mg-1,500mg. Follow package instructions for best dosage.

Horny goat weed powder and capsules often have other supplements mixed in them, so read supplement packages carefully.

Side Effects

Symptoms such as heavy breathing, vomiting and nausea have been reported. Additionally, mild side effects include irritability, aggression, sweating and rapid heartbeat. Decreased thyroid function has also been documented.

Avoid taking with medications like cortisone, prednisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone or aromatase inhibitors. Individuals with heart disease and hormone-sensitive cancers should also avoid horny goat weed.