Horny goat weed, also known as barrenwort and yin yang huo, is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatment that has been used for many purposes as an herbal remedy, but perhaps it is best known because it helps improve sexual drive and performance in men. In TCM, it is considered a tonic herb that strengthens the yang energy (outgoing and forceful energy) and works on both the liver and kidney channels and it is used in herbal formulations combined with other herbs for several disorders, including impotence, menopause http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaU5sI_-p-0 and allergic rhinitis. http://alternativehealing.org/xian_ling_pi.htm http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/allergic-rhinitis-000003.htm Chen J.K. and Chen T.T. 2003. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology. City of Industry, CA: Art of Medicine Press, Inc. Horny Goat Weed is believed to have been discovered around 200 BCE, and legends tell of a sheepherder who noticed that his sheep became more sexually active after eating in a pasture that contained the herb. http://www.vanderbilt.edu/AnS/psychology/health_psychology/hornygoat.htm

In the continental United States, Horny Goat Weed plants (also known as Epimedium) are only found in Massachusetts. http://www.plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=EPIME&mapType=Large&format=Print&photoID= Most varieties of this perennial, which is a member of the buttercup family (Berberidaceae), are found in China, however some species are distributed in Eurasia, Europe and North Africa. http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1600/036364407780360265 About 15 species of Epimedium are used interchangeably for making yin yang huo formulations. http://tcm.health-info.org/Herbology.Materia.Medica/yinyanghuo-properties.htm

This is a groundcover plant that prefers shade, is popular in gardens in Japan and has a colorful flower. Interest in certain species of this plant and hybrids for garden plantings is increasing in the West. Exploitation of wild populations of Epimedium may pose a significant threat to some species in China as there are not many under cultivation for medicinal purposes. http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Epimedium

This site contains further information about this herb, including uses that have been corroborated by scientific studies and the background behind its use in TCM. Plus you will find helpful gardening information to help grow your own Horny Goat Weed.

Horny goat weed has been a part of TCM for over 1500 years and has been used as a component in many different formulations. It was mentioned in Shen Nong’s "Canon of Medicinal Herbs," written about 400 CE. The sun-dried leaves are normally used in medicine, but the herb can also be used in stir-fry meals. http://www.tcmassistant.com/search/index.asp Primarily it is considered a yang tonic for the kidneys. The kidneys are considered the organs that contain the vital energy of the body, and when their function is compromised, one's energy is decreased. A yang tonic, such as yin yang huo, would therefore help by improving the total amount of energy available and subsequently also increasing sexual function. http://health.med.umich.edu/healthcontent.cfm?xyzpdqabc=0&id=6&action=detail&AEProductID=HW_CAM&AEArticleID=hn-4391000#ref8 Some of the symptoms that correspond to kidney weakness include impotence, reduced production of sperm, lower back pain, knee pain, forgetfulness, frequent urination, forgetfulness, numbness in the hands and feet due to poor circulation, muscle spasms in the feet or hands, withdrawal, and painful cold lower back and knees. http://alternativehealing.org/xian_ling_pi.htm

Most of the trials that have been done on horny goat weed are suggestive of beneficial usages and are considered by some medical researchers as preliminary studies which suggest a health or other benefit. Here are the uses and supporting references:

1. Aphrodisiac - There has been one clinical study of men on dialysis where it improved sex drive. Liao HJ, Chen XM, Li WG. 1995. Effect of Epimedium sagittatum on quality of life and cellular immunity in patients of hemodialysis maintenance. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 1995;15:202-4
2. Osteoporosis - One study has shown that it promotes bone formation by increasing mineral content and preventing osteoclast bone resorption. S, Yu, K, Chen, S, Li, & K, Zhang. 1999. In vitro and in vivo studies of the effect of a Chinese herb medicine on osteoclastic bone resorption. Chinese J. of Dental Restoration 2: 7-11.
3. Autoimmune Disorders - One study shows that a flavonoid isolated from the plant was effective in for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. <ref>SY, Li, G, Ping, el al,. 1994. Immunopharmocology and toxicology of the plant flavanoid B-1. International Journal of Immunopharmacology 16: 227-231. Different flavonoid glycosides from this plant can either suppress or stimulate the immune system. Liang H. R., et al. 1997. Isolation and immunomodulatory effect of flavonol glycosides from Epimedium hunanense. Planta Med 63:316-9.
4. Reduction of Blood Pressure - many animal studies have been done. Chen J.K. and Chen T.T. 2003. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology. City of Industry, CA: Art of Medicine Press, Inc.
5. Reduction of Cholesterol - several animal studies indicate this benefit. Chen J.K. and Chen T.T. 2003. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology. City of Industry, CA: Art of Medicine Press, Inc.
6. Allergic Rhinitis - Biminne is a TCM medicine that contains yin yang huo and other herbs, including Chinese skullcap, Astragalus membranaceus, Schizandra chinensis, Ginkgo biloba, Japanese apricot, and Ledebouriella divaricata. A study of almost 60 people that had allergic rhinitis all the time showed that relief of some symptoms which last for at least 12 months after taking the herb. The participants took the the formulation 5 times a day for 3 months in this study. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/allergic-rhinitis-000003.htm

The content on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact a physician or a licensed TCM practitioner for information before using horny goat weed.