How Horny Goat Weed Supports Sexual Health - About Health | Blog

Horny Goat Weed (botanical name Epimedium) is a leafy plant that has long been utilised as a sexual health remedy, as well as an ingredient in various menopause treatments.It grows in the wild in China, other parts of Asia and in the Mediterranean, and has a long history of use in traditional Eastern medicine. According to legend, a goat herder noticed his flock become sexually stimulated after eating the plant, leading to its unusual name.

When the sex-obsessed Romans and Greeks weren't waging war and inventing indoor plumbing, they supported a flourishing bathhouse sex industry and developed an amazing array of love potions. They looked for their aphrodisiacs in plants and herbs – learning what worked by watching what happened in nature.

Horny Goat Weed became one of their ‘go to’ elixirs. Hundreds of years later, London apothecaries were prescribing Horny Goat Weed to lusty Elizabethans.

HOW DOES HORNY GOAT WEED WORK TO IMPROVE SEXUAL PERFORMANCE?

Cultures that have used Horny Goat Weed for thousands of years in traditional medicine report that it supports an optimally functioning libido, sexual satisfaction, sexual arousal and a feeling of wellbeing during menopause. There are various uses and effects for horny goat weed. 

1. ACTS AS AN APHRODISIAC

Horny Goat Weed has the following aphrodisiac qualities:

• It supports sexual activity.
• Men notice an overall increase in satisfaction with their sex life.
• Men notice an increase in sexual desire.
• Men report an increase in their partner's sexual satisfaction.

Recent studies also show that a daily dose of Horny Goat Weed lowers blood pressure by dilating capillaries and blood vessels while slowing the adrenal production that can hinder blood flow to the sex organs. Men achieve better erections and women benefit from the increased blood flow too.

2. Supports erectile dysfunction (ED)

Horny Goat Weed has become popular as an herbal remedy for erectile dysfunction. It contains a compound called icariin, which acts in a similar way to other prescribed ED drugs by blocking an enzyme (PDE5 – Phosphodiesterase-5) that prevents men from having an erection. Because PDE5 helps control blood flow to the penis, inhibiting PDE5 helps produce better erections.

Horny Goat Weed is one of a group of herbs and foods that contain naturally occurring PDE5 inhibitors. Others include guarana, pomegranate juice, chocolate, and coffee. They all share the presence of PDE5 in common with erection drugs. Horny Goat Weed is also an important ingredient in Herbal Ignite for Men, an erectile dysfunction supplement used successfully by thousands of men in Australia and New Zealand.

3. SLOWS AGEING 

Horny Goat Weed has benefits beyond just improved sexual health. The Chinese Academy of Sciences has conducted studies on Horny Goat Weed and recommends its regular use to slow the aging process and improve the overall quality of life.¹ 

Other age-related benefits of Horny Goat Weed include:

• Protection against menopausal bone loss and osteoporosis.
• Alleviation of osteoarthritis.
• Improvement of heart health.
• Protection from some cancers.
• Improved liver and kidney health.
• Improved memory and energy levels.
  
  

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN HORNY GOAT WEED AND ERECTION DRUGS

The research that led to the discovery of PDE5 has a remarkable heritage. Three scientists working on heart biology won the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine for discovering how the signalling between cardiovascular cells – in which PDE 5 plays a part – operates. ²

In 2008, University of Milan scientist Doctor Mario Dell’Agli studied Horny Goat Weed and found icariin worked in the same way as sildenafil. His work – published in the Journal of Natural Products– confirmed previous studies showing that icariin is a PDE5 inhibitor.|

A New Scientist report of the study explained that while sildenafil more effective at inhibiting PDE5 than icariin, a modified extract of icariin, (compound 5) created by the Milan team “works as well as other prescribed ED medications”, and may cause fewer side effects. 

Science Supporting Horny Goat Weed and ED 

Scientific support for Horny Goat Weed as an effective erectile dysfunction treatment is backed by several studies, including the work by M.N Markova. His research, published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, revealed that the oral administration of Horny Goat Weed was effective in treating overall erectile function. 

Horny Goat Weed may help with erection problems in other ways too, by limiting PDE5 inhibitors. According to the Mayo Clinic, Epimedium may improve low testosterone levels and boost low thyroid hormone levels.

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

No adverse effects to the central nervous or cardiovascular systems have been noted in any recent studies. There are also no presently known negative effects where Horny Goat Weed is used as a dietary supplement. 

Generally, Horny Goat Weed is safe if used at recommended doses. High doses may cause stomach upsets or dizziness. For women, if you have had breast cancer you shouldn’t use Horny Goat Weed without medical advice because of its estrogenic effects. It’s also not recommended if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is sensible not to use high doses for long periods of time. 

HOW CAN I GET HORNY GOAT WEED? 

Horny Goat Weed is a key ingredient in Herbal Ignite, which has been used successfully by thousands of men in New Zealand and Australia for better erections, improved sexual health and better health generally. All-natural Herbal Ignite is taken as a daily tonic, regardless of sexual activity. 

Herbal Ignite for Him and Her are over-the-counter dietary supplements taken daily with food. They help boost energy levels and relieve fatigue and stress in both men and women. Herbal Ignite for Him also supports men’s health and libido, boosts levels of testosterone (the key hormone in men) and improves nerve function and genital blood flow. Herbal Ignite for her supports pre-menstrual tension and menopause, helps restore hormone levels to a healthy balance and improves libido. 

HERBAL IGNITE FOR HIM

The three key herbs in Ignite for Men – Tribulus Terrestris, Horny Goat Weed and Avena Sativa – have been used in traditional medicine for centuries to rejuvenate men’s sexual health. The herb Tribulus Terrestris, in particular, has also been found to naturally boost testosterone levels and is available in capsule form in herbal supplements like Herbal Ignite.

• Tribulus Terrestris lifts testosterone levels and improves sexual activity and muscular strength. It also generates male energy, confidence and stamina and men using Herbal Ignite report an improved sense of wellbeing. While Tribulus Terrestris supports and assists the body's natural production of testosterone it should be clearly understood that it is not a hormone supplement. By promoting the production of the body's own hormones, it works within the body's natural limits to help men achieve their strength and muscular potential. Tribulus Terrestris will not cause the body to indefinitely produce increasing amounts of testosterone – rather, it balances natural hormone levels.
• Horny Goat Weed increases desire and sexual performance. The active ingredients in this herb are PDE-5 inhibitors, which increase blood flow to the penis and help with better erections.
• Avena Sativa relieves stress and increases sexual desire. Many men notice a decline in sex drive and sexual strength because of the effects of stress and long working hours; this herb helps counter the effects of our tough modern lifestyle.
  
  

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HERBAL IGNITE FOR Her

Damiana is the key fatigue and stress fighter in Herbal Ignite for Women. Known as the ‘ultimate feel-good herb’ for women, it combats fatigue, relaxes the body, reduces stress and anxiety, lifts mood and enhances sexual response. It also helps balance female hormone levels, control hot flushes and is especially renowned for its libido enhancing qualities.Herbal Ignite for Her contains four key ingredients:

• Dong Quai is known as ‘the women’s herb’ or ‘female ginseng’ because it is recognised in traditional Asian medicine as an excellent all-purpose women’s herb. It is used to calm nerves, relieve anxiety and mood swings, aid in the treatment of various skin conditions, promote youthfulness, reduce stress and is also considered effective in treating cancer. It also helps restore hormonal balance, improve menstrual regularity and relieves PMS and hot flushes.
• Tribulus Terrestris is a general tonic that supports sex drive, ovulation and reproductive health. It also balances hormone levels, boosts vitality and sense of wellbeing.
• Horny Goat Weed has been used in traditional medicine as an aphrodisiac to increase libido, improve sexual response and function and create a feeling of well-being during menopause. Horny Goat Weed has been used since ancient times to promote physical and mental energy. It stimulates libido by enhancing sexual response and orgasm, relieves symptoms associated with PMS and menopause, balances hormones, relieves stress and aids in the treatment of osteoporosis. Horny goat weed contains a flavonoid called Icariin that assists to increase nitric oxide levels relaxing genital muscles in men and women, promoting erections and orgasms. Horny goat weed influences the stress hormone cortisol to help relieve stress. The best time to take Horny Goat Weed can vary based on individual preferences and health goals. Please read the product instructions for optimal usage.
  
  

  SHOP HERBAL IGNITE FOR HER

Herbal Ignite has been used successfully by thousands of men and women in New Zealand and Australia to help beat stress and fatigue, boost libido and sexual satisfaction. It is 100% natural and free of unpleasant side effects. It is made in New Zealand to the highest standards, with thorough testing and guarantees of no adulteration or undeclared ingredients.

Disclaimer. This information is provided for general informational purposes only and does not substitute for the advice provided by your medical professional. Always seek specific medical advice for treatment appropriate to you. Individual results may vary and are not guaranteed.

1. Zhuang W, Sun N, Gu C, Liu S, Zheng Y, Wang H, Tong X, Song J. A literature review on Epimedium, a medicinal plant with promising slow aging properties. Heliyon. 2023 Oct 27;9(11):e21226. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21226. PMID: 38027566; PMCID: PMC10665689.
2. Elhwuegi AS. The Wonders of Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitors: A Majestic History. Ann Med Health Sci Res. 2016 May-Jun;6(3):139-45. doi: 10.4103/2141-9248.183943. PMID: 27398244; PMCID: PMC4924486.