Eoimedium side effects and benefits
epimedium sagittatum herb

Epimedium is a pungent ornamental herb found in Asia and the Mediterranean. The Chinese call it Yin Yang Huo, which loosely means "licentious goat plant." Legend has it that the name horny goat weed came from a herder who noticed his goats becoming more sexually active after eating the plant. Supplement companies have adopted the provocative name by which it is known in the U.S. Horny goat weed was named epimedium because it is similar to a plant found in the ancient Asian kingdom of Media, now a part of Iran. Epimedium is a genus of many related plant species and some are used for medicinal purposes, including Epimedium sagittatum, Epimedium brevicornum, and Epimedium koreanum. Although epimedium has a history of traditional use for disorders of the kidneys, joints, and liver, its principle use is as an aphrodisiac and to combat fatigue.

Epimidium Sagittatum, - formulated by a medical doctor
Epimedium sagittatum is one of the most valued herbs in Chinese herbalism.  In China it is especially used for supporting healthy sexual activity - thus its name, Horny Goat Weed. Epimedium sagittatum 400 mg has epimedium extract (standardized to 10% flavonoids as icariin).

Epimedium sagittatum supplement

 

Epimedium side effects
Epimedium, when used in high doses, has side effects of increased heart rate and insomnia.

Epimedium herb study
Very little research has been published in the Western medical literature regarding this plant. Our Chinese study investigated the therapeutic effect of epimedium sagittatum (ES) on 22 patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis. Twelve patients with hemodialysis were served as controls. ES had a sex enhancing effect and improved their quality of life. Epimedium is also known as horny goat weed.

Epimedium herb mechanism of action
The exact way that epimedium works remains unclear. Animal studies have shown that it may influence levels of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine and reduce cortisol levels. The leaves of epimedium sagittatum contain a variety of flavonoids, icariin, sterols and an alkaloid called magnaflorine. It’s quite possible epimedium sagittatum influences several aspects of human sexual biochemistry. Icariin is known to help with erectile function.  For more epimedium research.

Epimedium study
Effects of icariin on cGMP-specific PDE5 and cAMP-specific PDE4 activities.
Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2004 Jan;84(2):142-5. Xin ZC,. eking University, 8 Xishiku Street, Xicheng District, Beijing
To clarify the mechanism of the therapeutic action of icariin on erectile dysfunction. PDE5 was isolated from the human platelet and PDE4 from the rat liver tissue. The inhibitory effects of icariin on PDE5 and PDE4 activities were investigated. Papaverine served as the control drug. Icariin and papaverine showed dose-dependent inhibitory effects on PDE5 and PDE4 activities. Icariin is a cGMP-specific PDE5 inhibitor that may be developed into an oral effective agent for the treatment of ED.

Cytotoxic effects of Coptis chinensis and Epimedium sagittatum (horny goat weed) extracts and their major constituents (berberine, coptisine and icariin) on hepatoma and leukaemia cell growth.
Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2004 Jan-Feb;31(1-2):65-9. Lin CC,. aohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan,
The present study was conducted to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of Coptis chinensis and Epimedium sagittatum (horny goat weed) extracts and their major constituents on hepatoma and leukaemia cells in vitro. icariin (the major compound of Epimedium Sagittatum) showed no inhibition of either the hepatoma or leukaemia cell lines. The results of the present study suggest that the Coptis chinensis extract and its major constituents berberine and coptisine possess active antihepatoma and antileukaemia activities.

Epimedium herb Summary
Epimedium is, in fact, likely to make you horny. Most users will notice a mild to moderate effect on the third or fourth day of use.

Epimedium herb questions
Q. Does epimedium herb help with erectile dysfunction?
   A. In some people, it can. It may take a few days or a few weeks for the full benefits to be noticed.

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