Popular Male Enhancement Ingredients: All You Should Know About Horny Goat Weed

Even its name alone evokes images of tumescent penises able to maintain their erections and, thus, provide pleasure for both the men and their sex partners. Indeed, horny good weed is a popular ingredient in male enhancement supplements because of its aphrodisiac qualities.

Perennial Plant

Horny goat weed has other less sexually evocative names, such as epimedium, barrenwort, fairy wings, rowdy lamb herb, and bishop’s hat, the matter of which are due to its appearance.

The deciduous or evergreen hardy perennials belong to the Berberidaceae family with approximately 50 species, most of which are endemic to China where the plant is known as yin yang huo.

The plants usually grow from an underground rhizome. Their appearance vary from solitary stems with tufted habits to multiple stems, for example, but most have individual flowers with four parts.

Plant Chemistry

Horny goat weed has icariin, a natural PDE5 inhibitor similar to sildenafil, Viagra’s active ingredient. It also contains several types of flavanoids (e.g., epimedin C) and prenylflavonoids, which are essential in the maintenance of good overall health among humans.

Because of its rich icariin content, horny goat weed is used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men as well as in boosting sexual desire and performance in both sexes.

Sexual Benefits

Icariin is the primary active constituent in the standardized extracts of horny goat weed. It must be emphasized that male enhancement supplements usually have concentrations of 5 to 60 percent only for optimum benefits. Higher concentrations are typically used for laboratory uses because of the risk for side effects.

The chemical compound works in boosting sexual function by increasing nitric oxide levels in the body. Nitric oxide aid in the relaxation of the smooth muscles in the penis, thus, allowing its chambers to expand for more blood flow.

Note: Penile erection is characterized by the three penile chambers opening up and receiving more oxygen-rich blood. The more blood flowing into the chambers, the more likely the erection becomes larger in size and longer in duration.

Horny goat weed also contains flavonoids, or pigments, which can affect the skeletal and immune systems. In terms of sexual function, many of these flavonoids can inhibit estrogen, thus, improving sex drive.

The plant’s extracts are also believed to:

• Increase the size of capillaries
  Keep in mind that sufficient blood flow to the penile chambers is a must for viable erections. With increased size in the tiny blood vessels, more blood can be pumped into the penile chambers and harder erections can be achieved.
• Decrease blood pressure
  This is also important in achieving and sustaining erections.
• Stimulate testosterone production
  The male hormone can affect the firmness of penile erections as well as their duration and force of ejaculation.

The bottom line: Horny goat weed will definitely get you in the mood for sex – or get you horny, to use a more common term.

Preliminary studies have also pointed out the non-sexual health benefits of horny goat weed. These include adjunct treatment for bronchitis, hepatitis, hypertension, fatigue, and memory loss, even heart disease.

While more research is needed, the initial results are promising.

Side Effects

Just be sure to follow the recommended daily dosage for horny goat weed-infused male enhancement supplements. You will run the risk of side effects if and when you go over the recommended dosage for, indeed, everything taken in excess can be toxic.

Horny goat weed also has a desirable effect on women, per preliminary evidence. Women who take the plant in its supplement form can aid in boosting the female libido and in decreasing the risk for osteoporosis, a common disease among older women.

The loss of bone density is of special concern to menopausal women, not to mention that the horny goat weed can help in lessening the symptoms of menopause.

When in doubt about the possible contraindication of taking a male enhancement supplement with horny goat weed as one of its ingredients, ask your doctor.