Plants from the Epimedium family have become well known for their alleged aphrodisiac properties. Horny goat weed, for example, remains readily available despite safety concerns. Using this herbal remedy may provide health benefits. According to an April 2011 review in the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology," horny goat weed helps treat osteoporosis, inhibits cancer and fights depression. Nevertheless, the effectiveness and safety of this herb in humans remains unknown. Speak with a doctor before taking horny goat weed.
Prevents Bone Loss
An age-related loss in bone mineral density has become a worldwide health problem, according to a May 2011 paper offered in "Osteoporosis International." Hip fractures -- directly related to osteoporosis -- have increased during the last 50 years. A clinical trial described in the July 2007 issue of the "Journal of Bone and Mineral Research" tested the ability of horny goat weed to prevent bone loss. Postmenopausal women received either Epimedium or placebo for two years. Women given the supplement showed less bone loss than those given a placebo. Epimedium treatment also decreased deoxypyrdinoline levels -- a chemical known to indicate bone loss. Taking horny goat weed did not cause significant side effects.
Kills Cancer Cells
Many older adults develop endometrial cancer, according to a July 2011 report in "Gynecologic Oncology." More than 53 percent of such women die from this relatively common form of cancer. An investigation presented in the March 2011 issue of "PLoS One" looked at the impact of icaritin -- a chemical derived from Epimedium -- on cultured cancer cells. The researchers exposed endometrial cells to icaritin during a single testing session. Relative to control cells, icaritin-treated cancer cells were more likely to die. The Epimedium product also facilitated the release of chemicals known to inhibit cancer growth.
Increases Social Interaction
At least 50 percent of adults with depression do not seek treatment, according to a May 2011 article in "BMC Psychiatry." Many of these people self-medicate with alcohol. Herbal remedies may eventually offer a healthier alternative. A study published in the April 2011 issue of "Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior" tested the effectiveness of icaritin -- derived from horny goat weed -- in an animal model of depression. Laboratory animals first experienced social defeat. This defeat caused symptoms of depression lasting a month. Rodents given daily doses of icaritin during the month following defeat showed greater social interaction -- an indication of better mental health. Rats receiving the Epimedium product did not show evidence of toxicity.
Triggers Penile Erections
According to a July 2010 report in the "Journal of Sexual Medicine," about 40 percent of all men currently experience erectile dysfunction. Surgical interventions and prescription medications provide viable treatment options for ED. Horny goat weed may offer an alternative approach in the future. An experiment described in the April 2010 issue of the same journal measured Epimedium's effect on laboratory animals. Rodents given icaritin demonstrated better erections than those given saline. The researchers obtained similar results in cultured pelvic cells. While promising, comparable results have not yet been obtained in humans.
References
- "Journal of Ethnopharmacology"; Genus Epimedium: An Ethnopharmacological and Phytochemical Review; Huiping Ma, et al.; April 2011
- "Osteoporosis International"; Secular Trends in the Incidence of Hip and Other Osteoporotic Fractures; Cyrus Cooper, et al.; May 2011
- "Journal of Bone and Mineral Research"; Epimedium-Derived Phytoestrogen Flavonoids Exert Beneficial Effect on Preventing Bone Loss in Late Postmenopausal Women; Ge Zhang, et al.; July 2007
- "Gynecologic Oncology"; Endometrial Cancer in the Oldest Old; Jason D. Wright, et al.; July 2011
- "PLoS One"; Icaritin Causes Sustained ERK1/2 Activation and Induces Apoptosis in Human Endometrial Cancer Cells; Jing-Shan Tong, et al.; March 2011
- "BMC Psychiatry"; Patient Perspective in Research on Major Depression; Pim Cuijpers; May 2011
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