Horny Goat Weed is more commonly known as Epicedium in the science and medical worlds. This plant has a very interesting history and has been given a number of nick names. Some examples include Fairy Wings, Rowdy Lamb, and Rand Beef Grass. While Horny Goat Weed may be found throughout Asia, it grows most predominantly in China. It has been used in Asian culture, most especially Chinese medicine, for centuries.
When exploring the information surrounding flowering plant it is interesting to note one of its nick names, yin yang huo, which translates to the yin yang. In ancient Chinese medicine and philosophy all things possess both yin and yang. The goal of this system is to achieve balance between the two. This nick name indicates that they believed it would balance the systems of the body.
Hard Facts
Horny Goat Weed contains a PDE5 inhibitor called icariin which is the active key ingredient in the formula for Viagra. A study conducted by the Andrology Center of Peking University consisted of treating four groups of control animals experiencing erectile dysfunction due to castration or nerve damage with icariin. Two of these groups received only saline, while the other two were treated with icariin. The rats were tested to determine the smooth muscle percentage within trabecular tissue and intracavernosal pressure after set intervals the last of which was at the end of the fourth weeks.
The conclusion was that following a four week treatment of icariin results indicate that it increases erectile function. This conclusion was drawn from the fact that the two groups that received treatment of icariin showed a measurable increase in percentage of smooth muscle and intracavernosal pressure when compared to the two groups which received only saline. This test was inclusive as to the efficacy of icariin treatment of diabetic control animals.
The same entity performed another study to determine the effects of icariin treatment of diabetic control animals. Half were treated with icariin while the other half received saline. The subjects which received icariin presented significantly higher expression of NADPP, or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-positive nerves. This treatment protected smooth muscle, endothelial integrity, and penile hemodynamics. It also preserved neuronal nitric oxide synthase expression within penile tissue. This demonstrates that icariin was a viable treatment in diabetic control animals presenting with erectile dysfunction.
The above studies and clinical research validates the claim that Horny Goat Weed is an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction. Ancient Asian cultures have actually known this for thousands of years, but this lends credence to those who require hard scientific facts and empirical evidence.
Those ancient cultures also used this mazing little plant to treat osteoporosis as it assist osteoblasts, or the cells responsible for building new bones, and increase liver as well as kidney function. These last two organs are the first line of defense to eliminate toxins from the body. These toxins are often referred to as free radicals which cause oxidative stress. The medical community has found a strong correlation between oxidative stress and erectile dysfunction as well as many other disorders related to numerous disorders of the human body.
Cited Sources:
Liu, WJ. “Effects of Icariin on Erectile Function and Expression of Nitric Oxide Synthase Isoforms in Castrated Rats.” Pub Med. US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, 1 Dec. 2005. Web. 26 Feb. 2015. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed
Liu, WJ. “Effects of Icariin on Improving Erectile Function in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats.” Pub Med. US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, 1 Oct. 2011. Web. 26 Feb. 2015. www.ncbi.nim.nih.gov
