One of the most common ingredients used in male enhancement supplements, Epimedium is known in China as Yin Yang Huo, which roughly translates to the herb’s popular name “Horny Goat Weed.” According to a Chinese legend, the name Horny Goat Weed came from a goat herder who discovered his goats becoming more sexually active after consuming the plant.
The pungent flowering herb was named Epimedium because of its similarity to a plant found in the ancient kingdom of Media. Epimedium is actually a genus of around 25 related plant species that are found in eastern and southern Asia, as well as central and southern Europe.
Aside from Horny Goat Weed or Yin Yang Huo, Epimedium also goes by the names Barrenwort, Bishop’s Hat, and Fairy Wings. Some manufacturers of male enhancement supplements don’t use Epimedium or Horny Goat Weed on the label just so they can say that their penis pills contain an “unfamiliar” ingredient.
Epimedium has been traditionally used to potentially treat back, joint, kidney, knee, and liver ailments but its main use in the United States is as an aphrodisiac (by itself) and as an ingredient of most natural male enhancement supplements.
The leaves and stems of the herb are dried and powdered, and can also be used as a liquid extract. Epimedium’s aphrodisiac and male enhancement properties come from its active compound Icariin, a flavonol which is considered as a vasodilator – a substance that helps dilate or widen blood vessels.
Icariin, like the erection dysfunction (ED) drugs Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra, is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, which is why it is used as a natural ED treatment. When you achieve an erection, an enzyme called cGMP is produced to relax the smooth muscles of your penis to allow blood to flow in. PDE5 (another enzyme) is produced to deactivate cGMP and end your erection. Icariin is a cGMP-specific PDE5 inhibitor but is weaker than the chemical compounds Sildenafil (Viagra), Taladafil (Cialis), and Vardenafil (Levitra).
Epimedium contains other compounds besides Icariin. Since there have been no clinical human studies on the effects of Epimedium, how its aphrodisiac properties work remain unclear. Animal studies do provide proof of its ability to inhibit PDE5 and increase intracavernous pressure, helping you achieve natural male enhancement.
Epimedium, by itself, is sold in a number of extract potencies. The effects of the different concentrations have hardly been tested on humans but as a general rule, the lower percentages need to be taken several days to be effective, particularly if you’re using it as a male enhancer. The best male enhancement supplements contain other erection-enhancing ingredients besides Epimedium.
