Get Going with Horny Goat Weed

Armed with an intriguing name and an array of health benefits, horny goat weed has quickly crystallised its reputation as a powerful plant remedy. Suitable for both ladies and gents, this incredible herb is basically Mother Nature’s version of the famous blue pill for libido. In fact, in traditional Chinese medicine horny goat weed has been used to enhance sexual experiences for thousands of years.

So what exactly is horny goat weed? Contrary to its quirky name, the active compounds in horny goat weed don’t have much to do with bleating farm animals. Its botanical name is epimedium and it belongs to a genus of flowering plants in the Berberidaceae family. As for the goats… Apparently, the name was coined when farmers noticed that male goats munching on epimedium herbs quickly became more excited around females.

Rise Up Against Erectile Dysfunction

Horny goat weed’s biggest claim to fame is as a supplement used to treat the symptoms of erectile dysfunction. It’s more common than you might think, with approximately 40% of men aged 40 and over encountering performance issues.

Cue horny goat weed. Loaded with a flavonoid known as icariin, epimedium is widely coveted for its aphrodisiacal properties. One of the biggest perks is its ability to normalise cortisol levels, which can help combat low energy and involuntary ejaculation. Icariin can also neutralise the negative effects of stress which can drag down sexual performance and trigger issues like involuntary ejaculation.

Icariin is also a powerful vasodilator with the capacity to widen the blood vessels and boost flow. In turn this can help to increase circulation in blood vessels in the penis. This is important, as during sexual stimulation the body releases nitric oxide (NO) to dilate blood vessels in the penis and trigger an erection. Simultaneously, a compound called cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) accumulates, though erections can falter when cGMP is broken down by a substance called PDE5. Icariin actively stops PDE5 from breaking down cGMP, which enhances the effects of NO and helps gents stay harder for longer.

Balancing “Yin” for the Ladies

For ladies, horny goat weed offers a handful of different benefits. Boosting bone density is one of the biggest advantages, with studies suggesting that icariin has the proven ability to increase bone mineral density in both the hips and the lower back. This explains why Chinese herbalists coveted the plant as a treatment for osteoporosis.

Horny goat weed, also known as Yin Yang Huo in the Chinese medicine sphere, is also considered a powerful form of “yin” energy. In women prenylflavonoid compounds act as phytoestrogens, which means the herb can be effective in increasing estrogen levels and toning down the symptoms of menopause, including low libido.

With so much to love, why not consider adding horny goat weed to your daily supplement routine? We love that it can be taken by both ladies and gents, which means couples can reap the benefits together. Not just in the bedroom, but also in day to day life.