Epimedium or Horny Goat weed

How Epimedium benefits were found?

The term Epimedium is derived from herbal Epimedii, which means “invigorating sex, strengthening muscles and bones”. Epimedium is a perennial herbs widely used in the traditional Chinese medicinal system. Two Chinese medicinal monographs, “Ben Cao Gang Mu” and “Shennong Ben Cao Jing” had mentioned the medicinal properties of this herb which included the revitalizing sexual intensity, muscles, and bones strengthening power that could be achieved by using this herb. Apart from these, anti-aging, immunity-boosting, and anti-cancer properties are also significant in the Epimedium herb.

Epimedium have five distinct species, among them, E. sagittatum is enlisted in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Epimedium can tolerate shade and can grow under the shade of bushes The native distribution of Epimedium includes eastern, southern and central China. Epimedium species has a shade tolerance, it is usually found under bushes. They are also naturally grown in the narrow lane or areas.

Epimedium is also known as horny goat weed and mainly harvested from wild sources. But gradually the natural sources of this plant is decreasing due to destroy of wild resources. Conservation of these wild source and the sustainability of the herbal epimedium through large-scale cultivation are conducted for utilizing them in herbal industries. [1]

What are the phytochemicals present in Epimedium?

Epimedium has almost 260 different phytochemicals such as flavonoids, ionones, lignins, phenylethanoid glycosides, phenol glycosides, sesquiterpenes, etc. Epimedium extracts containing icariin is one of the primary bioactive compound present in this herb. Apart from icariin, icaritin, icariside I, icariside II, and desmethylicaritin are some of the other bioactive phytochemicals present in Epimedium. [2]

What is the Mode of action of Epimedium health benefits?

The presence of phytochemicals in Epimedium play major role in its health benefits. Different scientific research studies reported a broad therapeutic benefits of icariin, which include reproductive health benefits, neuroprotective, osteoprotective, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective and immunoprotective effects.

Some research studies reported that icariside I able to treat sexual dysfunction and Icariside II has anti-hepatotoxic, anti-osteoporosis effects and also effective to lessen diabetic neuropathy.

Icariin, icaritin and icariside II are responsible for anticancer activity. The wide anticancer property of this herbal remedy provide cancer protection from osteosarcoma, lung, gastric, and kidney cancer. The anticancer actions of these phytochemicals exert by targeting different cellular pathways. [2]

Aphrodisiac properties and an increased sexual activity of Epimedium are obtained due to presence of a flavonol glycoside like icariin. Icariin and its derivatives enhances nitric oxide (NO) synthesis in the penis, inhibited phosphodiesterase type 5 activity in penile smooth muscle, acts as an androgen proliferation, provides penile neuronal effect, enhances smooth muscle proliferation, and decreases complex glycation end-product formation. [3] Epimedium-containing icariin has erectogenic role due to its testosterone-mimetic properties. [4]

What are the different forms of Epimedium?

There are different dosage forms of Epimedium have found in herbal medicinal stores such as powder, capsule, tablet, or tea. Herbal experts prefer to recommend 5 grams dose for a day. But research studies did not fixed any dose for Epimedium. [5]

Uses of Epimedium

In centuries ago, it has been already discovered the therapeutic uses of Epimedium. A Chinese goatherd had first invented the aphrodisiac property of Epimedium when all his congregate had eaten Epimedium and felt enhancement of sexual activity. The phytoestrogen-containing phytochemicals modulate hormonal functioning and provides multiple benefits. Following are some of the benefits including:

Correction of erectile dysfunction
Enhance low libido
Treat osteoarthritis
Prevents osteoporosis
Reduce joint pain
Solve bronchitis
Control hypertension
Maintaining Cardiac health [5]

All the above-mentioned traditional uses of Epimedium had mentioned in many documents, but very few scientific studies are conducted to evaluates all these uses. Yet now some of the in-vitro and animal trial results had reported the sexual benefits, corrections of erectile dysfunction, and bone health improvements.

Sexual Problems

The sexual problem-solving power of Epimedium is so high that it is comparable with Viagra, and some people termed it as “natural Viagra.” Some research evidence reported that icariin, the bioactive phytochemicals present in Epimedium suppresses PDE5 activity. This mechanism is the same alike as Viagra follows. However, the intensity of icariin is much lower than the Viagra. A laboratory research result showed the intensity of Viagra is 80 times higher than icariin to enhance sexual activity. [5]

There is very limited research evidence established the details of sexual problem-solving benefits of Epimedium but found this herb can help to resolve certain male sexual disorders. Epimedium is a widely used herbal regimen to solve sexual problems. [6] It increases sexual activity, it acts as an aphrodisiac, and treats erectile dysfunction. [4]

The efficacy of Epimedium to improve men’s erection ability has checked by comparing the placebo effect. The study result reported that supplementation of Epimedium exerts positive results in mild to moderate erectile dysfunction by stimulating blood flow. [5]

Improve premenstrual syndrome

Epimedium has the blood-thinning ability and improves blood circulation may help to eliminate premenstrual syndrome symptoms. [5]

Apart from this, Epimedium may also improve memory power and boost energy level. [5]

Bone Health

Epimedium contains phytoestrogens, which is plant-based estrogens that mimic the hormonal effect of estrogen. The osteoporosis or bone loss symptom is common in postmenopausal women may due to lack of estrogen levels. Therefore, some herbalists believe the recommendation of phytoestrogens for the prevention of bone loss can resolve these aliments.

A small-scale clinical trial was conducted to check the efficacy of Epimedium for preventing bone loss activity. In this research study, 85 late-postmenopausal women were included. The study participant treated either with placebo or Epimedium supplement. Along with this treatment regimen study protocol also recommended providing 300 milligrams of calcium per day to both experimental and placebo groups. The study researchers concluded that Epimedium supplementation has a preventive effect against bone loss after two years treatment period. This study result also reported that Epimedium supplementation significantly gives better treatment outcomes in bone revival markers than the placebo group without giving any side effects like endometrial hyperplasia, which is a common side effect of oral estrogen treatment. [7]

Another animal research also reported that icariin has the potentiality to reduce the degradation of cartilage in osteoarthritis affected patients. According to this research findings, PDE5 suppression obtained by ingesting icariin-containing supplements (Epimedium) helps to maintain the collagen matrix present in cartilage. Thus, Epimedium containing this bioactive compound can slow down the arthritis progression and helps users to maintain their mobility, though this herbal remedy cannot reverse the condition. [8]

Epimedium Side effects

The National Institute of Health has mentioned that Epimedium is safe to use as a supplement within a recommended dose. [9] Kidney and liver toxicity can occur due to intake of high doses. There is different varieties of Epimedium, some of the species like Epimedium koreanum cam causes muscle spasm in some individuals. [5]

When should I avoid Epimedium?

In the following conditions, one should avoid Epimedium to avoid complication or worsen the conditions:

Pregnancy and lactation
Bleeding disorders
Irregular heartbeat, hypotensive condition
Female hormonal disorders, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, breast, and ovary cancer
Individuals with prostate cancer
Prior to surgery as it increases the risk of bleeding due to its blood-thinning property. [5]