Horny goat weed has been used in Chinese herbal medicine for thousands of years to boost sexual performance and enhance general health. It derives its name from a fable of a Chinese shepherd who observed heightened affection between male and female goats after they ate horny goat weed. Today, horny goat weed is used for assorted ailments, but scientific information is lacking to support these uses. Consult your doctor before using horny goat weed medicinally.
Identification and Dosing
Other names for horny goat weed include Epimedium grandiflorum, arrow-leaf, barrenwort, bishop's hat, yin-yang-hua, chien-hsieh and fairy wings. The flowers and seeds of the horny goat weed plant are used medically. No official dosing guidelines for horny goat weed exist. However, according to TheHerbalResource.com, the usual daily dose of horny goat weed is 250 to 1,000 milligrams.
Effects
According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, or NMCD, horny goat weed contains chemicals that might affect various body functions, such as hormonal activity, blood vessel tone and the immune response. It is used for treating sexual performance problems such as erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and low libido. Horny goat weed is also used for managing osteoarthritis, bone loss from menopause, and osteoporosis. Other uses include high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disorders, HIV/AIDS, bronchitis and memory loss.
Effectiveness
The NMCD reports that not enough reliable scientific information is available to rate the effectiveness of horny goat weed for any of its medicinal uses. Some early evidence exists for the beneficial effects of horny goat weed extract for treating weak bones in the spine and hip when used for 24 months in postmenopausal women, reports the NMCD.
Considerations
According to the NMCD, horny goat weed is considered generally safe when used in usual doses for less than two years. Horny goat weed might cause lightheadedness, vomiting, dry mouth and nosebleeds when taken for long periods of time, warns the NMCD. It might also cause spasms and serious breathing difficulties if taken in high doses, reports the NMCD. Horny goat weed should be avoided in the presence of low blood pressure and during pregnancy or lactation.
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