How to Take Horny Goat Weed
Horny goat weed, or epimedium, is an ornamental herb from Asia and the Mediterranean. It is traditionally used as a libido booster. There is little research concerning how horny goat weed works, although Dr. Ray Sahelian, author of "Natural Sex Boosters," believes that the herb increases neurotransmitters that may affect hormones and has flavonoids that enhance nitric oxide formation, which usually leads to better erections. Both men and women may use the herb to increase libido. Consult your doctor before taking horny goat weed.
Take between 250 to 500mg of horny goat weed each day with water. There is no standard clinical dosage of the herb, but Sahelian has found that his patients experience quick results with this dosage range.
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Take a weeklong break for each month that you are taking horny goat weed.
Adjust your dosage depending on the results you get. Some users find that they experience results within the first week of use. Some find that their results are minimal.
Warnings
Horny goat weed may overstimulate your body and may cause sweating or an increase in body temperature.
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References
- "Natural Sex Boosters"; Ray Sahelian; 2004
- "The Hardness Factor"; Steven Lamm, Gerald Secor Couzens; 2007
- Kim SW. Phytotherapy: emerging therapeutic option in urologic disease. Transl Androl Urol. 2012;1(3):181-91. doi:10.1080/00926230390155096
- Rowland D, Tai W. A review of plant-derived and herbal approaches to the treatment of sexual dysfunctions. J Sex Marital Ther. 2003;29(3):185-205. doi:10.1080/00926230390155096
- Shindel AW, Xin ZC, Lin G, et al. Erectogenic and neurotrophic effects of icariin, a purified extract of horny goat weed (Epimedium spp.) in vitro and in vivo. J Sex Med. 2010;7(4 Pt 1):1518-28. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01699.x
- Zhang G, Qin L, Shi Y. Epimedium-derived phytoestrogen flavonoids exert beneficial effect on preventing bone loss in late postmenopausal women: a 24-month randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial. J Bone Miner Res. 2007;22(7):1072-9. doi:10.1359/jbmr.070405
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- National Institutes of Health. "Horny Goat Weed." MedlinePlus Supplements. Bethesda, Maryland; updated April 2015.
- Shindel, A.; Xin, Z.; Lin, G. et al. "Erectogenic and neurotrophic effects of icariin, a purified extract of horny goat weed (Epimedium spp.) in vitro and in vivo." J Sex Med. 2010; 7(4 Pt 1):1518–28; DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.1688.x.
- Zhang, W.; Li, R.; Wang, S. et al. "Effect of Chinese traditional herb Epimedium grandiflorum C. Morren and its extract Icariin on osteoarthritis via suppressing NF-kappaB pathway." Indian J Exp Biol. 2013; 51(4):313–21; DOI: 10.1359/jbmr.070405.
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Joe Lewis started writing professionally in 2010 for various websites. He holds a Master of Science in nutrition and dietetics.