Horny Goat Weed

Horny Goat Weed

Horny Goat Weed (or Epimedium) has become hugely popular as a natural treatment for erection problems because it’s contains a compound (called Icarin) which acts in a very similar way to Viagra and other ED drugs, by blocking an enzyme (PDE5) which prevents men having an erection.
 
Because PDE5 helps control blood flow to the penis, inhibiting PDE5 promotes male erection.
 
Sildenafil, Viagra’s active compound, as well as the active ingredients of other ED drugs like Cialis and Levitra all in various ways reduce PDE5  (full scientific name phosphodiesterase-5) – that’s why the new ED drugs have become known as  ‘PDE5 inhibitor drugs’.

 
The research that led to the discovery of PDE5 has a remarkable heritage because three scientists working on heart biology won the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine for discovering how signalling between cardiovascular cells – in which PDE5 plays a part – operates.
 
In 2008, University of Milan scientists studied Horny Goat Weed and found Icarin worked in the same way as sildenafil. Dr Mario Dell’ Agli’s work – published in the Journal of Natural Products, confirmed previous studies showing that Icarin is a PDE5 inhibitor. 

 

A New Scientist report of the study explains though Sildenafil is 80 times more effective at inhibiting PDE5 than Icarin, a modified extract of Icarin, (compound 5) created by the Milan team "works as well as Viagra, and may cause fewer side effects.

 

That's because Viagra affects other types of PD enzymes – some of them essential for heart and sight function. As a result, people who have heart problems are not advised to take Viagra and patients who do take the drug sometimes suffer disturbances to their eyesight.

 

Preliminary tests suggest that compound 5 does not affect other Phosphodiesterases, meaning it may not have the same side effects as Viagra.

 

The scientific support for Horny Goat Weed as an effective erectile dysfunction treatment is backed by other studies, including work by M.N. Markova published in Journal of Ethnopharmacology which revealed oral administration of Horny Goat Weed was significantly effective in treating overall erectile function.

 

PDE5 inhibitors occur naturally in a wide range of plants, including coffee, chocolate and guarana, but usually not in strong enough concentrations to assist with getting an erection.

 

Horny Goat Weed may help with erection problems in other ways as well as by limiting PDE5. According to Livestrong.com, the Mayo Clinic notes that Epimedium may improve low Testosterone levels, as well as boost low thryoid hormone levels.

 

And according to Chris Kilham, a renowned medicinal plant researcher and author of the book "Hot Plants", doctors practising Traditional Chinese Medicine in China use Horny Goat Weed successfully in clinical practice to treat erectile dysfunction.

 

But Horny Goat Weed is not just a dynamo on the sexual health front. This versatile plant has many other benefits beyond boosting sexual health, including suggestions regular use of Horny Goat Weed slows the ageing process and improves overall quality of life.

 

Other Benefits of Horny Goat Weed Include:

 

• Protecting against menopausal bone loss, Osteoporosis
• Alleviating Osteoarthritis
• Heart health
• Protection from some cancers
• Liver and kidney health
• Improving memory and energy

Horny Goat Weed and Cancer

A study performed by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the National University of Singapore revealed that high doses of Horny Goat Weed offered a profound inhibition of growth in human breast cancer cells. This study also yielded an unusual finding. The study showed growth inhibition of breast cancer cells with high doses of Horny Goat Weed, though low doses of Horny Goat Weed actually exhibited growth stimulation of the same human breast cancer cells. However, proper doses of Horny Goat Weed showed protective effects against breast cancer.

What Natural Health Experts Say About Horny Goat Weed

According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, active ingredients in Horny Goat Weed might affect hormonal activity, blood vessel tone and immune function. It is used for treating sexual performance problems such as erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and low libido. Horny Goat Weed is also used for managing Osteoarthritis, bone loss from menopause, and Osteoporosis. Other uses include high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disorders, HIV/AIDS, bronchitis and memory loss.

Effectiveness

The NMCD reports that not enough reliable scientific information is available to rate the effectiveness of Horny Goat Weed for any of its medicinal uses. Some early evidence exists for the beneficial effects of Horny Goat Weed for treating weak bones in the spine and hip when used for 24 months in post-menopausal women, reports the NMCD

Source: What Does Genuine Horny Goat Weed Do?

How Safe is Horny Goat Weed?

Generally Horny Goat Weed is safe if used at recommended doses. High does of Horny Goat Weed may cause stomach upsets and some people may also experience mild dizziness. If you have had breast cancer do not use without medical advice because of its estrogenic effects. Not recommended if you are pregnant or breast feeding. It is sensible not to use high doses for long periods.