Epimedium is a plant that grows natively throughout regions of China and Korea. Several species of Epimedium are used in herbal remedies, mainly Epimedium grandiflorum, E. sagittatum, E. pubescens, E. brevicornum and E. koreanum. Epimedium herbs may provide you with many different health benefits, but be sure to consult your physician before taking any herbal remedy to discuss proper dosage, potential dangers and drug interactions.
History
Traditional Asian medicine has used epimedium for 1,000 years or more to treat a wide variety of health conditions, says the University of Michigan Health System. Called yin yang huo in traditional Chinese medicine, the name translates to horny goat weed, a name that herbalists bestowed upon epimedium after they noticed that goats became more interested in mating after grazing on the herb. Historically, horny goat weed was used in Chinese medicine to boost fertility and sexual function, treat cardiovascular problems, ease musculoskeletal pain, treat aging symptoms and improve memory, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Traditional Chinese herbalists often combined epimedium with other herbs in treating these conditions.
Benefits
Today, you can use epimedium herbal remedies to treat allergies, sexual dysfunction, atherosclerosis, menopausal symptoms and fatigue. Horny goat weed may also help to treat osteoporosis, especially when you take it in combination with other herbs. You can take 250 to 1,000 mg of horny goat weed extract per day to treat these conditions. Or, you can make a tea by simmering 1 teaspoon of epimedium herb in 1 pint of water for 10 to 15 minutes, drinking the tea three times daily.
Function
Epimedium contains flavonoids that are responsible for helping to treat bone loss or osteoporosis in menopausal women and sexual dysfunction, says the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Horny goat weed's main constituent, icariin, can stimulate osteoblast cells in bone building and may potentially fight cancer cells. Two compounds contained in icariin, called icaritin and desmethylicaritin, have estrogenic actions that account for horny goat weed's use in treating sexual dysfunction and menopausal symptoms. Other flavonoids contained in epimedium help to regulate the immune system, either stimulating or inhibiting immune responses as needed. Also, epimedium contains lignans that may help to induce nerve growth.
Scientific Evidence
Most medical studies performed on epimedium's effects have been limited to test tubes and animals. A 1995 animal study conducted in China found that the herb helped to boost sexual function and enhance fertility. A randomized double-blind, two-year-long study conducted in China and published in 2007 found that the flavonoids contained in epimedium helped to prevent bone loss in postmenopausal women. Two Chinese test tube studies published in 1999 and 2001 found that the icariin in horny goat weed had anticancer effects in metastic lung tumors. Also, two other laboratory studies conducted in 2001 and 2002 on mice revealed that epimedium extract had "immunomodulatory" effects, meaning that it helped to regulate the immune system response.
Warnings
You may experience cramps, spasms, respiratory problems and hyperactivity if you take too much of horny goat weed extract. A 2004 case report cited mania and rapid heartbeat in a 66-year-old man with congestive heart failure after taking epimedium. You should talk to your doctor before taking epimedium extract if you have cardiovascular disease. Using excessive doses of horny goat weed or taking the herb for prolonged periods of time suppressed thyroid gland activity in healthy rats during a Chinese study in 1989.
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