Horny goat weed, as it is popularly known, is a flowering plant under the name Genus Epimedium in the family Berberidaceae. The plant is endemic to China and has been used by the Chinese in traditional medicine for over 2000 years. It’s known by many names, but it’s more popularly called horny goat weed, mainly due to what it is used for.
It is a powerful aphrodisiac and is basically one of nature’s answers to impotence.Just like any other drug, whether synthetic or natural, the wrong horny goat weed dosage might produce undesirable side effects, something that this article will put some focus on in the next succeeding paragraphs. But first, why is this seemingly boring plant an answer to impotence and what does it really do?
Benefits of Horny Goat Weed
A quick Google search should tell us that the key ingredient in many erectile dysfunction drugs is a PDE5 Inhibitor, something that the plant has in abundance. Icariin, a PDE5 Inhibitor, is present in the plant and it basically does the same effect with Sildenafil found in Viagra, although weaker.
Normally, when you’re sexually stimulated, nitric oxide signals the release of a chemical known as cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), causing the muscle in the penile area to relax; this causes an erection. Now, with erectile dysfunction, PDE5 or a protein phosphodiesterase type 5, holds back nitric oxide and cGMP that is supposed to relax the muscles, interfering with blood, hence no erection.
A quick Google search should tell us that the key ingredient in many erectile dysfunction drugs is a PDE5 Inhibitor, something that the plant has in abundance. Icariin, a PDE5 Inhibitor, is present in the plant and it basically does the same effect with Sildenafil found in Viagra, although weaker.
Normally, when you’re sexually stimulated, nitric oxide signals the release of a chemical known as cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), causing the muscle in the penile area to relax; this causes an erection. Now, with erectile dysfunction, PDE5 or a protein phosphodiesterase type 5, holds back nitric oxide and cGMP that is supposed to relax the muscles, interfering with blood, hence no erection.
Horny goat weed is also used to treat a variety of conditions such as high blood pressure, low libido in men, menopausal symptoms, low energy or fatigue and atherosclerosis. Aside from that, the effects of the chemical icariin are being investigated for its possible benefits when it comes to bone conditions like osteoporosis. It is also used in body building and improving estrogen levels in females.
As with many supplements, the claims of horny goat weed are a bit too good to be true. However, a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine showed improved penile function among rat subjects Another study conducted in 2008 concluded that icariin from Epimedium extract is effective in inhibiting PDE5 although it is weaker compared to sildenafil.
These studies are done on animals, so, how can we say for certain if it works for us, humans? Simply refer back to who discovered and used these plants to treat ailments for over a thousand of years. The Chinese. In china, there’s a mythical figure known as the Ying Yang Huo, who loves sex so much. Among the Chinese, if a plant has a myth attached to it, then it is regarded highly. But mythical stories aside, the Chinese has successfully used and appreciated the benefits of the plant to treat a variety of ailments. It has been used as an aphrodisiac for over 2000 years!
How To Take Horny Goat Weed
Since horny goat weed can be purchased over the counter, they are largely and more popularly available either in tablet or capsule form. A pill taken under the prescribed manufacturer’s dosage should be plenty enough. However, it is sage advice to observe the effects of the pill over a whole month period, just in case there are notable side effects. It is also available in powder and tea. The correct dosage is far more difficult to ascertain, though.
Horny Goat Weed Dosage
We are quite certain that doctors all over the world would prescribe erectile dysfunction drugs in a dosage catered to a specific patient because of weight considerations, diseases, and illnesses, the severity of condition and lifestyle. This is particularly true when it comes to those who have heart ailments. But like what we’ve discussed above, you can buy horny goat weed over the counter.
The most prudent way to approach dosage would be to follow what the manufacturer recommends. Since studies were mostly conducted among animal subjects, and from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners, it’s difficult to ascertain that golden number for dosage. But through approximation, the human equivalent for a 40% extract of the best horny goat weed are (80mg/kg icariin) are 900mg icariin, 1200mg, and 1500mg for a 150lb person, 200lb, and 250lb person respectively. But some claim 5 to 15 grams is enough while others, in between 300 to 800 grams.
Dosage is conditioned on icariin concentration. This information can be found on the bottle. The more concentrated it is, the less dosage needed. This is why we strongly advise that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions when it comes to the correct dose. Aside from safety considerations, the benefit of taking the right dosage is simply to get the desired result and to prevent any side effects and complications. However, the intake of icariin is relatively safe.
There’s no difference whether you’re man or woman when it comes to dosage. If there are underlying conditions, however, like pregnancy, heart diseases and sensitivity to the plant Epimedium and its compounds, it’s strongly recommended that you consult your physician for the correct dosage.
Side Effects
Side effects associated with the intake of horny goat weed are relatively minor. These side effects consist of dizziness, rapid heartbeat or palpitations, dry mouth and in some instances, nosebleeds. But large amounts of the supplement have been linked to breathing problems, vomiting and muscle spasms. No reports indicate any adverse reaction when the supplement intake is interrupted by a day to two.
Although the side-effects are relatively minor, there are serious concerns when taking the supplement if you’re suffering from heart diseases and any related ailments to it. Hence, we strongly advise that you consult your doctor first before buying.
Horny Goat Weed Reviews & Recommendation
If you’re looking forward to purchasing a bottle or two, the best horny goat weed we can recommend is GH-2 by Pure Science Supplements. It contains 20% icariin and all ingredients are sourced from the southern regions of China. Pure Science Supplements is an industry leader, utilizing advanced and sophisticated technologies with traditional medicine to create safe, reliable and effective products.
The effectiveness and quality of the GH-2 are also well documented if you read some of the reviews online. In Amazon, some users rave about the effects of the supplement, stating that it gave them more energy and stamina during sexual intercourse. A woman wrote a review stating that it helped improve her libido levels after having her third child and likewise raved about how more energetic she has been.
Even a senior citizen of over 70 years wrote that he took the supplement as an alternative to Viagra and he has been very impressed because of the similar results without the side effects. Many more claim that horny goat weed from Pure Science is simply better because it is purely herbal and it’s safe and even helped them with their other ailments besides ED.
It may have an amusing name, but the benefits are real. If you wish to address your lacklustre sexual prowess or get more energized day in day out, horny goat weed might be just for you!