Horny Goat Weed extract supplement information, review and side effects, what is the right dosage and what are safety issues that you need to know, by Ray Sahelian, M.D. author of Natural Sex Boosters, a guide to safely and effectively using natural aphrodisiacs from around the world

Will this herb make you horny? What are the safety issues to be concerned about? Are there other aphrodisiac herbs or formulas that are just as, or more, potent?

Horny goat weed 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 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 plant has the botanical name 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 E. sagittatum, E. brevicornum, and E. koreanum. Although horny goat weed has a history of traditional use for disorders of the kidneys, joints, and liver, its principle use in the western world is as an aphrodisiac and to combat fatigue.

Buy Horny Goat Weed extract, 300 mg each pill, 60 Capsules - formulated by Dr. Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Horny goat weed is one of the most valued tonic herbs used by Chinese doctors. In China it is especially used for supporting healthy sexual activity - thus its name, horny goat weed. This horny goat weed extract supplement is standardized to 10% flavonoids as icariin.

Supplement facts:
Each extract pill contains:
Epimedium Sagittatum  - 300 mg standardized leaf extract (20% flavonoids as icariin) per pill


Click here to buy Horny Goat Weed extract supplement with icariin 20 percent, Passion Rx sexual enhancer that works in a man and woman, additional herbs for sexual enhancement, or to sign up to a FREE newsletter
 Subscribe to a FREE Supplement Research Update newsletter. Once or twice a month you will receive an email with a review of several studies on supplements and natural medicine topics - including horny goat weed herb supplement research studies and natural medicine topics along with natural ways to improve symptoms of impotence or erectile dysfunction without the use of prescription medications.

Suggested use: As a dietary supplement, take one HGW pill before breakfast a few times a week, or as recommended by your health care provider.

Composition of the herb, chemicals and substances in the plant
 Horny goat weed herb has a number of substances including prenylated flavonol glycosides, ikarisoside A, icarisid II, epimedoside A, icariin, epimedin B, yinyanghuo A - E, and epimedokoreanoside. Flavonoids include chrysoeriol, quercetin, apigenin, kaempferol, and luteolin. Icariin appears to be the primary substance that has some PDE5 inhibiting properties.

 Passion Rx libido and performance booster for Men And Women

Medical Doctor Formulated natural Sexual Pleasure Pills
 This all natural formula provides results that are often noticed within two to three days, but continue to improve  over several days of use. Our feedback thus far indicates more than 80% user satisfaction within a week, and higher by the end of the second week. Passion Rx enhances libido and sexual thoughts, erectile function, orgasms, climaxes, energy and stamina.  The potent herbal extracts in this herbal sex booster include ashwagandha, catuaba, cnidium monnieri, horny goat weed extract, maca herbal extract, mucuna pPruriens, muira puama plant extract, tribulus terrestris, passion flower relaxation herb, yohimbe bark extract, and tongkat ali extract.

A Special formula
Dr. Sahelian and his research staff evaluated various doses and extracts of dozens of herbs from a number or raw material suppliers to determine the ideal dosage and combination for optimal aphrodisiac benefits with the fewest side effects. After years of experimentation, a highly effective proprietary blend with more than a dozen herbal extracts from the best raw material suppliers has been created which works within days. The exact dosages and extract potencies of this unique aphrodisiac combination is a close kept secret only known to the doctor and his research staff. You will only find this exact combination in Passion Rx.
   In recent years science has made breakthroughs in the understanding of sexual dysfunction. But, for hundreds of years, civilizations around the world have known about locally grown herbs that achieve wonderful results with far fewer side effects than prescription drugs. Now, renowned physician and herbal expert Dr. Ray Sahelian, M.D., author of Natural Sex Boosters book, has discovered a combination of exotic herbs from the Amazon jungle, India, China, Malaysia, and Africa, that support healthy desire and performance, as well as to simply enhance sexual pleasure. Passion Rx with Horny goat weed extract extract provides a natural solution for those looking a natural alternative to pharmaceutical medicines.

Horny goat weed icariin research
Mario Dell'Agli, a researcher at the University of Milan, has found that icariin, a substance found in horny goat weed, has the potential for blocking an erection-inhibiting enzyme as well as Viagra. Erectile dysfunction is a common condition worldwide, and drugs like Pfizer Inc's Viagra or sildenafil, Eli Lilly and Co's Cialis or tadalafil, and Bayer AG's Levitra or vardenafil, work by increasing blood flow to the genitals. The medicines inhibit an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5. Because icariin targets the enzyme more precisely, it may have fewer side effects than Viagra, according to Mario Dell'Agli. Icariin is present in the horny goat weed in large amounts and its activity against phosphodiesterase type 5 is lower compared to Viagra.

Prescription drug and medication interactions, safety of combining with pharmaceuticals
I would like to know if the following prescription drugs would conflict with the use of horny goat weed: Lysinopril and HCTZ. Both of these drugs are being used to control high blood pressure.
    Horny goat weed, as with almost all herbs used for sexual enhancement, has not been tested in combination with prescription medications. Therefore the interactions are not well understood. As a general rule, if your doctor approves, you can start with a quarter of a capsule for a few days and gradually increase the dosage if no side effects are noticed and stop the herb if you notice any effects that are not desirable. Each person has a different response to herbal supplements and it is not easy to predict what benefits and side effects a person will experience when taking an herbal preparation or combining it with medications.

Studies and clinical trials
Very little research has been published in the Western medical literature regarding horny goat weed extract. Our Chinese study investigated the therapeutic effect of epimedium sagittatum on 22 patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis. The herb had a sex enhancing effect and improved their quality of life.

Effect of Epimedium sagittatum on quality of life and cellular immunity in patients of hemodialysis maintenance
 Dept. of Nephrology, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing. 1995
Our previous study had demonstrated that horny goat weed exerted immune enhancing effect on the animal model of chronic renal insufficiency. In present study, we investigated the therapeutic effect of horny goat weed on patients on hemodialysis maintenance. 22 cases of regular hemodialytic patients were treated with horny goat weed in the form of decoction. Horny goat weed  had sexual enhancement effect and improved the quality of life in the patients with chronic renal failure. Interleukin 2 (IL-2) activity of peripheral blood monocytes stimulated by PHA was increased significantly in the patients treated with horny goat weed. Horny goat weed has a therapeutic effect on sexual disorder and immunologic inadequacy in the patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis.

Mechanism of action, how it works
The exact way that horny goat weed 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 horny goat weed contain a variety of flavonoids (one prominent flavonoid is icariin), sterols and an alkaloid called magnaflorine. It’s quite possible HGW influences several aspects of human sexual biochemistry. Icariin is known to help with erectile function.

Side effects, safety, risks, and warning
Side effects from horny goat weed are likely with high dosage use. Horny goat weed herb has not been available long enough in western countries for us to have a good understanding of its potential side effects when misused. However, there is a possibility that very high doses of horny goat weed pills - just like many herbs that have a stimulating nature -  can cause heart rhythm disturbances or increase heart rate. A more common horny goat weed side effect is insomnia when this herb is used in high doses.

Is rapid heart beat a horny goat weed side effect?
    Yes, many sex herbs have the side effect of rapid heart beat when a very high dose is used, or a moderate dose is used daily without breaks.

Is insomnia a common horny goat weed side effect?
    Yes, in high doses, insomnia or shallow sleep can occur, even if the supplement is taken in the morning.

Review
Horny goat weed 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. Long term benefits and side effects of HGW are not known, hence it is preferable to take breaks from use. Most people find the herbal formula Passion Rx with Yohimbe to be more potent and effective as a sexual enhancer, in a male or female.

Horny goat weed research
Flavonol glycosides from Epimedium sagittatum and their neurite outgrowth activity on PC12h cells.
Planta Med. 2000 August.
The methanol extract of horny goat weed was found to show neurite outgrowth activity on cultured PC12h cells. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the MeOH extract yielded six prenylated flavonol glycosides, ikarisoside A, icarisid II, epimedoside A, icariin, epimedin B, and epimedokoreanoside-I as the active ingredients.

Effects of Epimedium sagittatum on immunopathology and extracellular matrices in rats with chronic renal insufficiency
 Zhonghua Nei Ke Za Zhi. 1994 Feb;33(2):83-6.
Chinese herb medicine, horny goat weed, was used to treat animal models of chronic renal insufficiency induced in Wistar rats with 7/8 nephrectomy. The results showed: Horny goat weed decreased significantly the level of BUN and serum creatinine in the rats. The herb inhibited the hypertrophy of glomeruli in the rats. Horny goat weed inhibited deposition of IgG, C3, Fib and FN along the glomerular capillary walls in these rats.

Extract
Horny goat weed is sold in a number of extract potencies, including various percentages of icariin and epimediosides. Common icariin percentages include 10 percent and 20 percent.

 Horny goat weed supplement pill emails
Q. Can horny goat weed extract  be combined with other herbs such as yohimbe, maca, mucuna pruriens, or tribulus?
   A. I can only speak from my personal and professional experience. Thus far I have combined HGW with several herbs and have not found any significant side effects when the dosages have been kept low.

Q. How long does it take for horny goat weed supplements to start working?
   A. It may take 3 or 4 days for the full effect of this herbal extract to be noticed.

Q. Can horny goat weed herb be taken regularly for many months?
   A. As with most herbs, I recommend taking breaks from use since it is possible daily use of horny goat weed could lead to side effects. In the case of horny goat weed you could take it for 1 or 2 weeks on, 1 or 2 weeks off. Horny goat weed has been used in Asia for centuries, however no long term human research is available to indicate safety and side effect profile.

Q. Is it okay to take GNC horny goat weed extract with fish oils.
   A. There's no reason to suspect that fish oils and horny goat weed interfere with each other. The combination should be safe as long as neither supplement is being taken in excess.

Q. Is horny goat weed herb addictive?
   A. I have not come across any indication that this herb has addictive potential.

Q. I find that if I take more than three capsules of horny goat weed supplement for a few days, I feel fatigues rather than energized.
   A. Horny goat weed increases energy. But the dosage makes a difference. Too little horny goat weed may not do much, and too high a dose of horny goat weed, by causing insomnia, could lead to fatigue.

Q. If a person has a bleeding hemorrhoid occasional. Will horny goat weed supplements cause it to bleed more often? I was just wondering because the weed is suppose to send blood to the genitals.
   A. We are not aware of such connection, but then again much yet needs to be learned regarding the physiological effects of horny goat weed.

Q. Is there a horny goat weed tea?
   A. I have seen a tea product in a health food store but don't know how effective it is, I think it was mixed with other herbs.

Q. Do you know of a horny goat weed review site? For instance how do i know a Pinnacle horny goat weed pill is better than another pill brand?
   A. I have not come across such websites that review HGW side effects and benefits. and the differences between brands such as Pinnacle, GNC product or the dozens of other horny goat weed products available for sale either solo or combined with other sex herbs.

Can horny goat weed and maca be taken together?
    HGW and maca can be taken together as long as the dosages are kept low to avoid overstimulation.

I am 52 years old with a slightly enlarged prostate. I just purchased a bottle of horny goat weed and was wondering if there are potential long-term effects that might increase my risk of prostate cancer. My present PSA level is 4.4 (which is normal for me). A biopsy indicated no presence of cancer, and I am in excellent health. My BPH symptoms are relatively minor. Does horny goat weed increase testosterone levels?
    Long term human studies are not available so we really don't know if it affects the prostate or PSA test, whether it affects in a positive or negative way, or how horny goat weed influences testosterone levels, if any. Most people do not need to take it every day, anyway.

How will horny goat weed react to heart medication that I take that being Toprol XL 200 mg. and Plavix 75 Mg. and Altace 10 mg.
    We don't suggest the use of sex herbs such as horny goat weed to those who are on heart medicines since these aphrodisiac herbs have a tendency to speed heart rate. We cannot predict the reaction of this natural aphrodisiac herb with these medicines since each person will react differently. Beyond that, it will be up to you and your doctor to make the decision regarding the use of supplements.

In your horny goat weed review, do you find this herb is better than other sexual enhancing herbs, is it more potent?
    Each person has their own preference. In my review of horny goat weed, I would rate this herb in the top ten aphrodisiac herbs that are commonly available.

Can a woman take horny goat weed?
    This herb is appropriate for use by a woman. Most sex herbs work in men and women.

I need some additional information about horney goat weed. I understand it causes the person to arouse, but can it cure premature ejaculation and can it cause the penis to grow in size?
    I don't think this herb has a major influence on premature ejaculation, and it does not make the penis grow larger that it would normally under ideal arousal conditions.

In general I am a healthy and fit 40 year old guy that exercises regularly. I have not had any issues regarding libido necessarily except for work and maybe stress so at times would just rather sleep or relax. Anyway I recently tried maca, yohimbe and horney goat weed seperately and together (different supplements) and they seem to work. I have noticed these supplements work and also work well in combination. What would potential side effects be if overdose occurs? Could you suggest the best combination and strength to take these supplements and also how often for best results? Lastly, do you need to take every day for best results or is there a residual effect if not taken everyday. Is is safe to take every day or regularly at least? Basically, it would be nice to have the benefits of taking these supplements any time when the occassion arises.
    Potential side effects of overdosage would include increased body temperature, anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, and heart rhythm problems. Each of these herbs comes in different extract potencies and each manufacturer's product is different than another's, so it is not easy to suggest particular dosages. Plus, different people respond differently to the same dosage and combination. The best way to learn is to try each separately for a week or so and then combine them in lower dosages. It is a good idea to take breaks from use since daily regular use can sometimes be counterproductive. As a general rule using them about 2 or 3 days a week seems reasonable for most people.

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