Horny Goat Weed is no misnomer; this infamous herb does exactly what you might think…. that’s right…. make you horny. The herb has been lauded for its medicinal benefits and has been popularly used to treat men’s sexual health issues and a whole slew of other health conditions. Backed by hard science, Chinese folklore, and clinical studies, it might be about time for you to get some Horny Goat Weed in your medicine cabinet.
The Quaint History of Horny Goat Weed…
Far away and a long time ago in a mountainous region of China, a goat herder started to realize his flock was acting more randy than ever. This strange, inexplicable horniness only came in bouts and seemed to be relatively inconsistent.
Confused, the goat herder watched over the flock for 40 days and 40 nights trying to monitor closely to see what was bringing on such excitement and downright naughty behavior. Suddenly he realize something extraordinary, every time they grazed in this one particular patch of flowery plants the goats would fall into these passionate fits. It was, what is now known as, horny goat weed. The herb grows sporadically in this highly elevated part of China.
So for the past 2,000 years since this knowledge has been uncovered horny goat weed has been used medicinally to cure erectile dysfunction and low sex drive in men. And you know what they say if it ain’t broke… then don’t fix it. Let’s take a look at how horny goat weed has been benefiting men for the past two millennia and how exactly this flowery herb even works.
The Science Behind the Herb
Horny goat weed is an herb that has 15 different species known as “yin yang huo” in Chinese medicine. It is found predominantly in the Southern region of China and bordering Asian nations. It is the leaves of the plant that hold all the curative powers. While the goat herder may have figured out what was making his goats act like recently released prisoners, it was only after hundreds of years of use that the properties of the plant were truly understood by herbalists and scientific researchers.
The main active ingredient in Horny goat weed that promotes overall erectile health is called “icariin”. Icariin relaxes the smooth muscle tissue that the penis is composed of. This active ingredient relaxes the internal tissues and tension that we hold all over our bodies. This allows the body and the mind to relax when in a sexual encounter and shift away from a panicked fight or flight mode that we are evolutionary prone to. Disease thrives on stress and this heightened state of tension, so horny goat weed is additionally believed to create an environment in the body that is less conducive to diseases. The more “icariin” present in the leaves the higher potency that particular species of the herb has. The higher the potency, the more effective the horny goat weed.
The plant additionally contains phytoestrogens; these chemicals have a function similar to the naturally produced female hormone estrogen. It mimics the ability to preserve bone in post-menopausal women, just like estrogen can. The horny goat weed also serves to increase blood flow and improve circulation. This can be useful in treating a lot of different health issues because it helps fresh oxygenated blood full of nutrients reach the extremities and the brain. This can help with even the most common fatigue we all tend to experience.
How it Helps Erectile Dysfunction…
A 2008 lab study concluded that there is a compound in the herb that blocks a certain enzyme that can restrict blood flow the penis. The active ingredient Epimedium found in horny goat weed is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor according to the study. What this means is that it acts like major pharmaceutical drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction do. It works to bring blood flow to the penis through inhibiting phosphodiesterase, which naturally restricts blood flow to the area. Horny goat weed is the natural alternative that achieves the same effect through the same mechanical means as drugs like Viagra.
Other Issues Horny Goat Weed Treats….
The herb doesn’t just treat low sex drive and erectile dysfunction while improving penis size. Horny goat weed is also used to treat all of these health issues and more:
Osteoporosis- Hypertension
- Bronchitis
- Joint pain
- Numbness
- Circulatory problems
- Spermatorrhea
- Irregular menstruation
- Memory problems
- Painful or cold low back
- Ailments associated with aging
OsteoporosisHow to get Horny with Horny Goat Weed Safely ….
Despite all the research conducted and the 2,000 years of use to back up the benefits, horny goat weed is only possibly safe when taken by mouth appropriately. So what is an appropriate dose of the herb? There is no decided amount of horny goat weed since potency varies on species. It is important to read and follow the packaging on a clinically tested brand of the herb sold commercially. Follow the directions for that specific blend of herbs for best results.
There are some minor side effects for horny goat weed like nosebleeds, dizziness, dry mouth, vomiting, extreme thirst, and arrhythmia (rapid or irregular heart beat). If taken in appropriate volumes the user can experience spasms and asthmatic symptoms. As with any supplement it is important to speak with your primary care provider before regularly taking any new medicine, herbal or pharmaceutical.
If you have a preexisting bleeding disorder, a hormone sensitive condition, low blood pressure, or are getting surgery it is best to avoid taking horny goat weed until those conditions are treated. It is also important to check the interactions between horny goat weed and any prescriptions you are taking currently before beginning a regular regimen.
