Epimedium Leaf Extract Health Benefits
Traditional Chinese medicinal herbs have encouraged many modern medicines. Chinese herbs have proven their worth for the treatment related to heart diseases or mental disorders. Today, we learn more about ‘Yin Yan Huo’ or the Horny Goat Weed that offers several health benefits.
So what is Epimedium? What are its health benefits? Does Epimedium increase testosterone? If you have erectile dysfunction and want to learn more about Epimedium, you have landed on the right page. This article will help you understand the effectiveness of Epimedium for curing several health conditions and run you down on all the health benefits it offers.
So without further ado, let’s learn more about this traditional Chinese herb.
What is Epimedium?
According to Chinese folklore, a Chinese goatherd discovered the plant’s aphrodisiac qualities when he noticed that his flock increased their sexual activity after consuming the herb. It started a revolution in Chinese medical history, and the plant soon became a common ingredient in sexual remedies.
Epimedium is one of the botanical names given to the Horny goat weed. The Chinese name for the plant is ‘Yin Yan Huo,’ and the Vietnamese call it ‘Dam Duong Hoac.’
Many people term it a natural Viagra as it helps stimulate female and male hormones for better sexual arousal.
The herb is also beneficial in treating other health conditions, including nerve pain fatigue, hay fever, osteoporosis, and atherosclerosis. Additionally, researchers have suggested that it improves bone health and the immune system.
What are the health benefits of using Epimedium?
Like we mentioned earlier, the Horny Goat Weed comes with several health benefits. Apart from purported sexual benefits, the herb is beneficial in treating and supporting various health conditions. The plant contains phytoestrogens that influence bone and hormonal health.
Epimedium can be used to treat several health conditions, including serious and common ones. These health conditions include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Low Libido
- Erectile dysfunction
- Osteoporosis
- Bronchitis
- Joint pain
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
Additionally, it can improve blood circulation, boost energy, and helps sharpen your memory. Although Epimedium has several health benefits, studies are only limited to animal trials, and humans will have to wait for some time to gain its benefits.
However, bone disorders and erectile dysfunction have entered an advanced research phase, following the immense benefits that the herb provides for these conditions.
Bone Health
Chemical compounds or phytoestrogens found in Epimedium helps to improve bone health. According to health experts, phytoestrogens can increase estrogen levels and improve bone health, especially in women. This herb can replenish bone loss and enhance estrogen levels.
According to research, a Chinese bureau treated a group of women with phytoestrogen extracted from Epimedium.
Additionally, the experts also provided them 300 ml of calcium each day. The study ran for two years, and researchers found that Epimedium helps to prevent bone loss.
The study shows that Epimedium can help improve bone health without severe side effects. Additionally, Epimedium can help people suffering from osteoarthritis as it reduces cartilage degradation.
Although human trials are still in process, animal studies have shown that Epimedium can reduce cartilage degradation as it helps retain the collagen matrix in cartilage.
While it may not reverse the damage, it slows down arthritis progression and helps people maintain their mobility.
Erectile Dysfunction
Like we mentioned earlier, Epimedium is also known as the natural Viagra. Although there is no quality research on this topic, some evidence shows that Epimedium helps humans with various sexual dysfunctions.
Epimedium contains icariin that helps to reduce erectile dysfunction. It blocks a protein known as PDE5 or phosphodiesterase type 5, which causes erectile dysfunction. Although our body naturally subdues PDE5 levels, people who have erectile dysfunction may lose this body control.
Since icariin helps you to reduce erectile dysfunction, it works as a natural Viagra and suppresses PDE5 activity. However, scientists have to conduct more research and tests as test-tube studies revealed that it is weaker than Viagra by a significant margin.
While it is too early to make a conclusive statement on Epimedium’s sexual benefits, we cannot rule out that the Horny Goat Weed can stimulate blood circulation to promote better sexual health and reduce erectile dysfunction.
Does Epimedium increase testosterone?
Testosterone plays a crucial role in sperm production and sex drive. According to experts, adult males’ testosterone levels should range between 280 to 1100 nanograms per deciliter, while adult females should have between 15 to 70 nanograms per deciliter.
Although Epimedium helps reduce erectile dysfunction and increase sexual health, it remains unclear whether it increases testosterone levels in your body.
However, clinical trials in animals have indicated a positive effect of icariin present in Epimedium to boost sperm viability and count.
Additionally, it increases sex drive and blood flow in the penis.
Epimedium side effects
Although Epimedium is beneficial for several health conditions, it also has some side effects if consumed in high doses. Additionally, individuals with certain health conditions should avoid its usage as it can invite severe side effects. These individuals include:
- People suffering from bleeding disorders
- Breastfeeding or pregnant women
- People suffering from irregular heartbeats
- People with low blood pressure
- Women suffering from hormonal conditions, including uterine fibroids, breast cancer, endometriosis, and prostate cancer
Additionally, individuals planning for surgery should not use Epimedium as it slows down blood clotting. Furthermore, specific variants of Epimedium, such as the varietal Epimedium Koreanum, may lead to loss of muscle coordination or muscle spasm for some individuals.
It would be best to consult a health expert or doctor before using the Horny Goat Weed in your medication. Additionally, there are different variants of Horny Goat Weed available in the market, and consulting a doctor is the safest and best way of consuming this herbal supplement.
Dosage
Horny Goat Weed is available in different variations, including powder and capsule form. According to medical practitioners and health experts, the appropriate dose should be five grams per day. However, you can consult a doctor to decide your ideal dose.
