Horny goat weed is a medicinal herb used most commonly in Chinese medicine. (It is also known as yin yang huo.) And in traditional medicine, the purported benefits of horny goat weed are many.
Is horny goat weed an aphrodisiac?
This herb is associated with the prevention of menopausal bone loss, anti-HIV activity and some promising anti-cancer effects. Of course, it’s also associated with the prevention and cure of erectile dysfunction.
Before I go further, I would like to state that too little scientific study has been done on the benefits of horny goat weed for me to recommend it as an aphrodisiac that I think you should immediately go out to purchase. Instead, I would like to give you the facts as they exist at present and let you make that decision for yourself.
Although horny goat weed is considered a culinary aphrodisiac, the herb is most commonly distributed in pill form. It comes from an herb known to grow wild in the mountains of China. Its place in Chinese medicine as a powerful aphrodisiac is centuries old. Some of China’s doctors recommend the benefits of horny goat weed over the “little blue pill” and other man-made erectile dysfunction medications.
Those who recommend the benefits of horny goat weed as a natural “enhancer” explain that it can relax blood vessels and help promote blood flow. There is also some evidence that it can help regulate cortisol levels as well as testosterone and thyroid. Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot of conclusive information on how much of the herb you can safely eat if you prefer to take it in its natural rather than pill form.
But, there’s more you should know before considering horny goat weed use.
According to Medical News Daily, side effects can include sweating, a racing heart and mood changes that include aggression. So, unless you’re exceedingly self-aware, it’s probably best to approach self-dosing with excessive caution.
Research into the benefits of horny goat weed
Horny goat weed’s centuries-old reputation has inspired several Western researchers to prove the claims of traditional Chinese medicine. A 2008 study by the University of Milan found that horny goat weed’s main compound, icariin, does function in a similar fashion to popular medications.
In the US, the late Dr. James Duke, a well-known horny goat weed proponent, conducted a study on a group of both healthy men and those who relied on erectile dysfunction medication that produced a result showing 60% of the healthy men reported improved sexual satisfaction using the supplement. (Incidentally, only 45% of medication users reported success when replacing the blue pill with the horny weed.)
So, if you’re looking for a natural alternative for treating these sorts of dysfunction, the benefits of horny goat weed may be what you’re looking for. But the expert direction from a medical professional is highly recommended.
Discover more of the world’s greatest aphrodisiac foods
Horny goat weed photo by David Stang, used under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License.
Amy is considered a leading authority on aphrodisiacs. Her work in aphrodisiacs is quoted in publications including National Geographic, The New York Times, Epicurious, Wine Enthusiast, Health and Playboy magazines. She speaks internationally on aphrodisiac foods and has brought her knowledge of aphrodisiac history and science to national television shows including The Today Show and CBS Early Show. She is a frequent guest on relationship and lifestyle radio and podcast shows and has been interviewed by BBC and NPR radio, Cosmopolitan radio and popular podcasts including My Dad Wrote a Porno.
Amy is also a freelance food, wine and health researcher and writer as well as a wine competition judge. Her work has appeared in publications ranging from Variety to The Daily Meal. She is an MSN content provider. And she is also a former wine editor for Gayot.com and wine & spirits editor of Las Vegas magazine.
Fun fact: Amy was the creator of the first ever comprehensive food and wine apps, Amy Reiley's Pocket Gourmet and Amy Reiley's Pocket Vineyard for Palm.
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