- What is Horny Goat Weed?
- Horny Goat Weed Health Benefits
- Does Horny Goat Weed Work at All?
- Horny Goat Weed Side Effects
- How to Use it for the Best Effects
No one likes the idea of an underperforming dick, so when given the choice of munching on an herb or subjecting your body to a synthetic product; you’re going to choose the safest, most natural route.
After all, you only get one penis. You don’t get a spare. So it makes sense that you want to support it with the best products. Horny goat weed is such an herb. From combating low libidos and pain to eliminating erectile dysfunction, fatigue and flagging erections; horny goat weed can help you to manage them all. Yet, we don’t expect you to just take our word for it.
That is why during the course of this article, you will learn: what is horny goat weed? What are its benefits? And, what are its potential side effects?
What is Horny Goat Weed?
Also known as epimedium, barrenwort and yin yang huo, horny goat weed has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to help improve sexual function, arousal and erection quality. And it works!
Thanks to its high icariin content, this active ingredient can easily boost male and female hormone production; enabling you to stay harder – and for longer – in the sack. More importantly, it can provide you with a natural and proven alternative to reducing erectile dysfunction.
The Science:
According to a 2008 lab study, horny goat weed acts as a phosphodiesterase inhibitor and stops this enzyme from restricting your blood flow. In doing so, you are able to quickly and efficiently achieve an erection and keep it up.
This herb is also believed to be effective at treating osteoporosis and artery hardening.
NOTE: you won’t find horny goat weed in food. It is a plant and as such, its nutritional properties come purely from the flower itself.
Horny Goat Weed Health Benefits
Horny goat weed may be best known for its aphrodisiac properties – hell, its success stories span thousands of years – yet, this is not all it can do. Its horny goat weed health benefits also extend to:
Sexual health
Alongside stimulating your libido, epimedium can also effortlessly put a stop to erectile dysfunction as it aims to keep your heart, blood flows and circulatory system healthy.
The presence of icariin in this plant is believed to block PDE5 (phosphodiesterase type 5), a protein which can cause erectile issues – in particular, the inability to get it up – as it interferes with nitric oxide and cGMP (which helps to relax the smooth muscle in arteries).
Instead, by suppressing PDE5 activity, you can benefit from heightened blood flows and faster responses to sexual stimulation.
Fatigue
The theory here is that as it helps to improve your energy and circulation, your brain/organs benefit from increased oxygen, thus decreasing feelings of fatigue and tiredness. Likewise, its ability to relax muscle tissues makes it possible for you to recover from fatigue faster.
High blood pressure
Research suggests horny goat weed may lower high blood pressure by thinning your blood. In doing so, you will see improvements to your heart and circulatory system.
Artery hardening (atherosclerosis)
For those with atherosclerosis – a condition that causes the arteries in your neck to harden – taking epimedium (with other treatments) can alleviate symptoms, as it causes the smooth muscle in your arteries to relax, making it easier for blood to flow.
NOTE: when treating atherosclerosis, the University of Michigan recommends taking just 5 grams of horny goat weed 3 times a day.
Osteoarthritis
Studies have linked icariin to reductions in cartilage degradation in patients with osteoarthritis. While these studies were done on animals, by suppressing PDE5, this enabled participants to retain the collagen matrix commonly found in cartilage.
Unfortunately, it can’t reverse existing damage. It will simply slow it down enabling you to benefit from greater mobility for longer.
NOTE: retention in cartilage may also lead to improvements in joint pain.
Hay fever
Horny goat weed may be able to offer some relief from symptoms of hay fever as well as a reduction in white cells (which tend to go up as a result of allergies).
NOTE: to effectively treat hay fever, the University of Michigan recommends simmering 500mg of horny goat weed in 250ml of water (for 10-15 minutes) and taking it 3 times a day.
Hormone and bone health
Epimedium is overflowing with phytoestrogens, a chemical compound that can improve the health and vitality of your bones. Likewise, it can help optimize your hormone levels, preventing testosterone deficiency.
It achieves all of this by mimicking estrogen and stopping the development of osteoporosis (a condition common in menopausal women where their bone density deteriorates).
In fact, during a study by the Shanghai Municipal Health Bureau on 85 late-postmenopausal women; when they were given a phytoestrogen supplement (extracted from horny goat weed) and 300mg of calcium per day for two years, they saw reductions in bone loss in their spine and hips. Instead, their bone turnover markers (remodeling of bones) were found to be better than in those who received just the placebo.
Decrease menopausal symptoms
Aside from minimizing bone loss, research suggests taking horny goat weed water extract for 6 months can help to lower cholesterol and boost the estradiol levels of postmenopausal women.
Other horny goat weed benefits:
Now the following list consists of some other health benefits that are commonly associated with epimedium. However, unlike the ones you’ve just read about, there isn’t a lot of information or research out there that explains WHY they can help:
- Boost energy – there are theories that this plant can raise your energy levels by simply boosting nitric oxide release and improving blood flows. In doing so, your cells, muscles and organs will efficiently receive oxygen and nutrients, enabling you to perform better.
- Joint pain (by relaxing your muscle tissues)
- Sharper memory
Does Horny Goat Weed Work at All?
Admittedly, there is not as much research on horny goat weed as we would like. However, numerous horny goat weed reviews suggest that it can definitely make a difference in the sexual health department, especially when it comes to your erections.
A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine revealed that when rats were given purified extracts of horny goat weed, they displayed significant improvements in erectile function. This is due to the presence of icariin, which is known to inhibit PDE5 and ensure that your blood flows and artery muscles remain relaxed/ equipped to handle the onset of arousal.
This point was further proven in another study which proved icariin’s ability to stop PDE5 from interfering with erections (in test tubes) and blocking the dilation of blood vessels in your penis.
Horny Goat Weed Side Effects
We would love to say that there are no horny goat weed side effects, and to an extent there are none – as long as you stick to the recommended dosages and only take it for a few months at a time – however, excessive consumption/overdosing of this plant can trigger some unpleasant side effects, such as the following:
Kidney/liver toxicity
Taken in high dosages horny goat weed can cause toxicity, as your liver and kidneys are not able to process it.
Irregular heartbeat
This is partially due to horny goat weeds ability to thin the blood and lower your blood pressure. Combined, they may cause your heartbeats to become erratic.
Low blood pressure
In a bid to improve blood flow, horny goat weed will thin your blood and encourage blood vessel dilation. This means if your blood pressure is already low, this plant could take your blood pressure to dangerous levels.
Nosebleeds
Continuing from the point above, the blood-thinning effect of this plant could potentially trigger nosebleeds which you’ll then struggle to stop as it won’t clot as quickly as normal.
Muscle spasms
If they use epimedium saggitatum or epimedium grandiflorum in their formulation, then you should be okay. However, if you spot epimedium koreanum, then there is a risk of muscle spasms or worse loss of muscle coordination.
Interactions
You should speak to a doctor before taking horny goat weed if you’re already taking any of the following supplements/medicines: blood thinners, aspirin, birth control, antidepressants, or if you’re taking medication to help treat immune disorders, thyroid problems, high blood pressure or cholesterol. This is because they can interact and trigger additional health issues.
Other potential side effects (when taken in large quantities):
- Mood changes
- Upset stomach
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Breathing problems
How to Use it for the Best Effects
Although there is no set dosage for taking horny goat weed; for optimal results, it is recommended that you stick to just 5g a day. This will be more than enough to restore your erections and make you performance-ready (without risking your health by taking too much).
In all honesty, though, the most efficient way to combat erectile dysfunction and bolster your stamina, longevity and erection strength is to explore proven libido boosters such as Male Extra.
This simple supplement harnesses the healing properties of multiple herbs, plants and nutrients, so you can naturally replenish your testosterone stores; boost nitric oxide release, and elevate your energy levels – from the inside out.
In fact, every one of its ingredients has been purposefully chosen for their ability to support your existing bodily processes, 100% safely and naturally, so you can say goodbye to erectile dysfunction with none of the nasty side effects.
If anything you’ll receive just the right amount of every ingredient so there is no risk of overdosing. Get more information on the Male Extra page:
Conclusion
So what is horny goat weed? On the surface, it appears to be the perfect solution for resolving your libido issues, as it will stimulate your sex drive, revitalize your performance and ensure your body responds promptly to arousal every single time.
Yet, look a little deeper and its lack of studies combined with its potential horny goat weed side effects means it could do more harm than good. Especially as there are no set dosage guidelines. For this reason, we recommend sticking to proven libido boosters such as Male Extra who harness multiple nutritional avenues in order to support your dick. Clinically tested and proven to work, you can trust that your sexual health is in safe hands.
To learn more about the restorative nature of this supplement, visit MaleExtra website.
