“Horny Goat weed” used allegedly for increasing stamina and it’s side effects
Epimedium is a genus in Berberidaceae.
The majority of the species endemic to China and are hardy perennials having four-parted "spider-like" flowers in spring. Horny goat weed has a long history of use in traditional Eastern medicine.
According to legend, its name came about because a goat herder noticed his flock became sexually stimulated after eating the plant.
The species which is widely used is Epimedium grandiflorum containing a prenylated flavonoids icarin which is a weak PDE5 inhibitor in vitro.
Its clinical effects are unknown. There is little clinical evidence, but it is thought to have erectogenic properties and is found in some men's sexual health supplements.
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Species of Epimedium are rhizomatous with solitary stems, others have a "tufted" habit, with multiple stems growing close together.
There may be several trifoliolate leaflets having spiny margins. Flowers are tetramerous borne in inflorescences, with petalloid sepals and small petals having a complex shape including a nectar-producing "spur" that may be longer than the sepals.
E. wushanenese contains 37 flanonoids of which 28 are prenylated,
The major flavonoid, epimedin C ranges from 5.1% in aerial parts and 1.0 to 2.8% in underground parts
Icariin inhibits the activity of the PDE5 that’s blocking dilation of the arteries of the organs allowing blood to fill the arteries.
There’s no set dosage for horny goat weed other than the recommended serving size as set by the manufacturer.
As a result, the amount of horny goat weed or horny goat weed extract varies – generally 500 to 1,000 milligrams (mg) per serving – depending on the brand.
Horny goat weed is also used for weak back and knees, joint pain, osteoarthritis, mental and physical fatigue, memory loss, high blood pressure, heart disease, bronchitis, liver disease, HIV/AIDS, polio, a blood disorder called chronic leucopenia, viral infections of the heart, bone loss after menopause, weak bones (osteoporosis), and as a tonic.
Horny goat weed extract is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth, appropriately.
A specific extract of horny goat weed containing phytoestrogens has been taken by mouth for up to 2 years. Also, a different extract of horny goat weed containing icariin has been taken by mouth for up to 6 months.
However, some types of horny goat weed are POSSIBLY UNSAFE when used for a long period of time or in high doses. Long-term use of these other forms of horny goat weed might cause dizziness, vomiting, dry mouth, thirst, and nosebleed.
Taking large amounts of horny goat weed might cause spasms and severe breathing problems.
Some medications and medical conditions may place you at greater risk if you take horny goat weed.
These include:
Medicines for high blood pressure.
medications that thin your blood
heart disease
Thyroid problems
Source: Google
Mammen Daniel
