Epimedium Health Benefits for Women

Epimedium Introduction

Common Names: Horny Goat Weed, Yin Yang Huo, Inyokaku, Herba Epimedii

Scientific Name: Epimedium sagittatum, Epimedium grandiflorum, Epimedium brevicornum

Although most people may not be familiar with Epimedium, it is also known as Horny Goat Weed. Epimedium is a native of China and has long been utilized in traditional Chinese medicine as a natural remedy for promoting both physical and mental vitality.

Epimedium Health Benefits for Women

The herb's high antioxidant effect has been especially noticed by researchers all around the world. It is thought to aid in hormone regulation, heart protection, brain health, and immune system balance. Its anti-aging, revitalizing, and libido-stimulating qualities are particularly appealing. Women who consume Horny Goat Weed (its popular name) may benefit from the following health benefits.

• Balances Hormones

Without being a hormone, epimedium naturally balances hormone activity. This could be beneficial for women who are suffering hormonal swings as a result of PMS or menopause. The herb may also help to lower the risk of harmful side effects linked with various hormone therapy.^[1]

• Stimulates Libido

Epimedium may be a good choice for boosting libido and minimizing sexual dysfunction in women. Although the herb has been primarily popularized among men, females should be aware that epimedium also has significant sexual-enhancing effects.

Epimedium appears to increase blood flow, which is essential for sexual desire, and it also contains alkaloids and plant sterols that work similarly to testosterone. Although testosterone is commonly thought to be a male hormone, it is produced by both men and women and plays a significant role in human sexuality.^[2]

• Promotes Graceful Aging

For generations, men and women have been looking for the fountain of youth, hoping to uncover that magical drug or concoction that will bring them closer to eternal youth. Unfortunately, no conclusive elixir that combats all aspects of aging has been discovered. Many medications and cosmetics claim miraculous effects, enticing customers by appealing to their irrational dread of the aging process.

Researchers have shown that epimedium has considerable benefits for women, with one study finding that it can reset age-related metabolites including carnosine, nucleotides, and amino acids to younger levels.^[3] This activity is driven by powerful antioxidant capabilities that protect the body from aging free radical damage.

• Supports Skeletal Health

Icarin, among other active phytochemicals in epimedium, has been shown in studies to reduce bone loss in postmenopausal women. One study discovered a substantial difference in bone health between women who took an epimedium supplement and those who took a placebo.^[4]

• Soothes Sore Joints

Epimedium is frequently used in traditional Chinese medicine as a natural cure for joint soreness, a condition that can have a detrimental impact on a person's quality of life and be a major, persistent energy drain. Mainstream science has been a little tardy in assessing the herb's traditional use, although animal models have so far supported the traditional treatment against the ailment.^[5]

• Relief from Menopause Symptoms

Epimedium may promote balanced estrogen and estradiol levels in women, perhaps benefiting menopausal women. Researchers compared epimedium extract to a standard menopausal therapy in one animal trial. They discovered that natural plant compounds in epimedium, such as icariin, exhibited dynamic effects of bioactivity for a longer period than traditional menopause medicine. ^[6]More research is needed to see whether these same effects can be replicated in humans.

Uses & Effectiveness of Epimedium

Insufficient Evidence for:

1. Weak and brittle bones (osteoporosis). Taking a specific extract of horny goat weed for 24 months in combination with calcium supplements decreases bone loss of the spine and hip in women who have passed menopause better than taking calcium alone. Chemicals in the extract act somewhat like the hormone estrogen.
2. Health problems after menopause. Taking horny goat weed water extract for 6 months can decrease cholesterol and increase estrogen levels in postmenopausal women.
3. Bronchitis.
4. Ejaculation problems.
5. Erectile dysfunction (ED).
6. Fatigue.
7. Heart disease.
8. High blood pressure.
9. HIV/AIDS.
10. Joint pain.
11. Liver disease.
12. Memory loss.
13. Sexual problems.
14. Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate horny goat weed for these uses.

At The Bottom Line:

According to Chinese medicine, using epimedium on a regular basis improves general health. While few negative effects have been observed, exceeding the recommended dose should be avoided as it might cause nausea, dizziness, and increased thirst. Look for a high-quality, organic epimedium source. If you can't find the herb, look for it by its most common name: horny goat weed. Many supplements will blend epimedium with other herbs to boost health benefits.

If you're looking for a fantastic herbal blend with epimedium, I recommend Undersun's epimedium Powder or epimedium supplements. Blending eight of the best botanicals for hormonal balance and backed by Undersun's award-winning customer service, Our epimedium dietary supplement is the ultimate hormone support product for women.

References:

1. Ma H, He X, Yang Y, Li M, Hao D, Jia Z. The genus Epimedium: an ethnopharmacological and phytochemical review. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2011 April 12;134(3):519-41. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.01.001..

2.Makarova MN, Pozharitskaya ON, Shikov AN, Tesakova SV, Makarov VG, Tikhonov VP. Effect of lipid-based suspension of Epimedium koreanum Nakai extract on sexual behavior in rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2007 December 3;114(3):412-6.

3.Yan S1, Wu B, Lin Z, Jin H, Huang J, Yang Y, Zhang X, Shen Z, Zhang W. Metabonomic characterization of aging and investigation on the anti-aging effects of total flavones of Epimedium. Mol Biosyst. 2009 Oct;5(10):1204-13. doi: 10.1039/b816407j.

4.Zhang G1, Qin L, Shi Y. Epimedium-derived phytoestrogen flavonoids exert beneficial effect on preventing bone loss in late postmenopausal women: a 24-month randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial. J Bone Miner Res. 2007 Jul;22(7):1072-9.

5.Zhang W1, Li R, Wang S, Mu F, Jia P. Effect of Chinese traditional herb Epimedium grandiflorum C. Morren and its extract Icariin on osteoarthritis via suppressing NF-kappaB pathway. Indian J Exp Biol. 2013 Apr;51(4):313-21.

6.Wong SP1, Shen P, Lee L, Li J, Yong EL. Pharmacokinetics of prenylflavonoids and correlations with the dynamics of estrogen action in sera following ingestion of a standardized Epimedium extract. J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2009 Sep 8;50(2):216-23. doi: 10.1016/j.jpba.2009.04.022.