Though herbs comes from nature, safety is still important because all herbs and supplements have the capacity to cause side effects and interact with your medications. Standardized horny goat weed supplements are available at health food stores and other herbal medicine resources. It is important to consult your doctor before taking horny goat weed.
Background
Horny goat weed is a perennial plant native to Japan, Korea and parts of China. It has light red, yellow, white and violet flowers, and oval fruits. There are no recent clinical studies to provide dosage recommendations, according to Drugs.com. However, according to the University of Southern California, a typical dosage is between 250 and 1,000 mg daily. Because of the lack of clinical data, it is important to take horny goat weed as directed and only under the supervision of your doctor.
Uses
Horny goat weed is marketed as a sexual stimulant. It is also marketed for menopausal symptoms. However, according to the USC, clinical data supporting the safety and efficacy of horny goat weed for these purposes is lacking. Some manufacturers claim horny goat weed can help increase testosterone levels, however clinical references to support these claims are lacking.
Safety
There is no standardized goat weed safety, so exercise caution if you choose to use horny goat weed supplements. This herb also lacks adequate clinical studies. There is one reported case of horny goat weed supplement causing rapid heartbeat and mood changes in a 66-year-old man, according to USC. However, it is unclear if horny goat weed alone cause his symptoms or whether the supplement was contaminated with an unknown substance.
Manufacturing Safety
Purchase standardized horny goat weed from a trusted source to reduce the risk of contamination. Herbal supplement manufacturing is unregulated in the United States and herbal quality control is sometimes lacking, so it is best to consult a qualified health professional, according to the University of Texas, at El Paso. Horny goat weed is often combined with other herbs, such as yohimbe. This combination can cause hypertension, or high blood pressure, according to the UTEP. Never take horny goat weed if you are pregnant or nursing.
Member Comments