Horny Goat weed extract icariin

What is Horny goat weed?
Horny goat weed (epimedium) has been used extensively in Traditional Chinese Medicine for more than three thousand years, as a yang-supporting herb for use by both men and women, which shows great therapeutic properties for the kidney, enhances the immune system, and increases sperm production, thereby acting sexual enhancement.

Horny Goat Weed is a herb (Epimedium) that is known for being an aphrodisiac and touted as a Testosterone Booster. It derives its layman names from goats and sheep who acted a bit more frisky after consuming Epimedium that grew near their fields.
It is also sometimes referred to by its active ingredient, Icariin. Icariin is known as a prenylated flavonoid compound and has been shown to exert much of the aphrodisiac effects of Horny Goat Weed. Icariin has not been shown to increase testosterone in females, yet two other compounds in Horny Goat Weed (Icaritin, Desmethylicaritin) have actually increased Estrogen in post-menopausal females. The herb acts as an aphrodisiac in both genders, and the gender-specific hormone increasing could be beneficial for both genders.

The story of horny goat weed
Though it has a humorous name, Horny Goat Weed is actually a hardy flowering plant that originated in China. The legend goes that a flock of goats was far more amorous than usual after grazing on the plant. It didn’t take long for someone to try it for themselves, and found that it worked on humans too! Called yin yan huo in China because of its medicinal qualities for both the female (yin) and the male (yang), Horny Goat Weed has been used as an aphrodisiac and sexual stimulant for centuries.

Chemical composition of Horny goat weed
Constituents of horny goat weed extract: One of the principal active ingredients in Horny Goats weed is “icariin”. The concentration may determine much of the potency of each particular species of Epimedium. However,there are many other ingredients in horny goat weed extract except icariin, such as flavones, Quercetin, Ikarioside A and B (wanshanense), Anhydroicaritin, Desmethylanhydroicaritin, Sagittatoside B , Diphylloside A and B, etc. Flavonoids are the main active chemical constituents of Epimedium species, the four major flavonoids contributing to their effects being epimedins A, B, and C, and icariin. These biologically active constituents are flavonol glycosides with an isoprenyl group substituted on carbon 8. However, analysis of natural health products currently available on the market containing Epimedium relys mostly on the presence of icariin.

Species of horny goat weed extract available
Horny goat weed, also known as epimedium extract, is unique to China. In other words, there are no horny goat weeds in other countries. Up to date, over 60 species of horny goat weeds have been reported, but only five of these are recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopeia, namely, Epimedium bravicornum Maxim., Epimedium sagittatum Maxim., Epimedium koreanum Nakai, Epimedium pubescens Maxim. and Epimedium wushanense T.S. Ying.

Icariins VS icariin
Most of the horny weed extracts are used in supplement formula in a standardized form of icariin. And many others use icariins instead of icariin. Many of our clients are supplement brands in both United States and the Europe, and they are confused with icariins and icariin. From the certificate of analysis (COA), you may also notice the difference by “assay Icariin(HPLC)” and “assay Icariins(HPLC)”. The superficial difference is the “S” behind icariin.
The method of analysis (known as MOA or testing method) for icariin and icariins is different.

The icariin is using acetonitrile as the mobile phase, while icariins using methanol (or aka methyl alcohol), and the reference standards for both testing are icariin. However, there are some problems with using methanol as the mobile phase. Great disturbance occurs during the icariins testing, and the errors always beyond the normal range. And there will be some extra things will come out of the testing.Two peaks of icariins are not separated,and thus the testing result is higher.Above all, the testing result for icariins is much higher than that of icariin. And that’s why companies in China are using acetonitrile as the universal mobile phase. (usually with the ratio of acetonitrile:water=25:75). The key differences between icariin and icariins are summarized as below:
1. icariin is popular and accurate, while icariins not. There are standard for icariin in ChinesePharmacopoeia, but no record for icariins. Icariin is identified with unique CAS number as 489-32-7, while icariins is a mixture of icariin and other uncertain ingredients, and no cas number is for icariins.
2. The price for the same percentage of icariin is higher than that of icariins. And the price of icariin is about 60% of the same specification of icariin. For example, the price of icariins 20% is only 60% of the price of the icariin. So don’t get fooled when you are buying icariins or icariin.

There are some cheats for icariins, so be careful with icariins. In addition, as we mentioned above, there are at least five other ingredient in horny goat weeds, and therefore there are five peaks from the HPLC spectrum.Some guys said icariin is the fifth peak, while icariins are peaks close to icariin.

Mechanism of action of Horny goat weed
How does horny goat weed work? Icariin is the main ingredient that inside of the horny goat weeds. The mechanism of action of horny goat weed is to large extent the mechanism of action of icariin ingredient.

Research has shown that Horny Goat Weed can inhibit an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase (AChE). AChE rapidly stops neurotransmission at cholinergic synapses like those found in the brain and at neuromuscular junctions, which are needed for speedy responses in the neuromuscular system. By inhibiting AChE, Horny Goat Weed supports higher levels of the key cholinergic neurotransmitters associated with sexual arousal.

Horny goat weed contains a number of flavonoids, some of which show estrogen-inhibiting properties in the test tube. These hormonal actions may be part of the reason horny goat weed has been used traditionally to treat sexual disorders, and why it has shown efficacy in clinical trials in patients with kidney failure for improving sex drive. Other flavonoids in horny goat weed, such as icariin, appear to stimulate the cells that build bone (osteoblasts). Rats given flavonoid extracts of horny goat weed are protected against osteoporosis. A number of flavonoids showed effects on the immune system that are both stimulating and suppressing depending on the circumstances in the test tube. Preliminary human trials in people with kidney disease undergoing dialysis confirm that horny goat weed can improve the function of various portions of the immune system. Icariin protects liver cells in the test tube.

Benefits of taking horny goat weed supplements
Horny goat weed has been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine to increase blood flow and dilate blood vessels. It is commonly use to enhance sexual performance due to the increased blood flow that is experienced and may keep your heart healthy by lowering blood pressure. Both men and women may benefit from the use of Horny goat weed to prolong sexual stamina and drive. Many of the “natural” sexual stimulants found on the market will primarily include Horny goat weed and refer to it as the “natural” Viagra. There are too many benefits for using horny goat weed extract supplement, below are the key benefits selected:

Horny goat weed with male sexual health
For decades men of all ages have been using Horny Goat Weed to naturally improve their sex lives. Good quality Horny Goat Weed extracts standardized to a high icariin percentage are very successful in the stimulation and restoration of the male reproductive system. It is also proved to be effective to erectile function and stimulate sex drive.
Horny goat weed and bodybuilding

Any experienced bodybuilder who has observed and/or trialled high-end performance boosting supplements over the years will certainly have knowledge of Epimedium extract/Horny Goat Weed extract and especially the flavonoid icariin, which has long been the preferred ingredient within the majority of top brand Nitric Oxide and Testosterone Booster supplements.

NITRIC OXIDE BOOSTER
Nitric Oxide is an important signaling intermediate within the human body and is well known for its crucial assistance in healthy blood flow to muscle tissue around the body, greatly improving overall muscle strength. After intense physical activity it is very common to feel what is commonly referred to as ‘pumped’ and/or ‘muscle swell’ gained from the burning up and repair of the body’s muscle tissue, resulting from Nitric Oxide surging throughout the flow of blood within the tissue. Icariin from horny goat extract is one the most well respected natural Nitric Oxide boosters on the supplement market, ensuring the efficient travel of blood and nutrients throughout the body, massively improving workout performance, heightening resistance to fatigue and aiding muscle recovery.

TESTOSTERONE BOOSTER
The other major aspect that sets icariin apart from other performance booster supplements on the market is that alongside its Nitric Oxide abilities, icariin also has the proven power to increase the efficient utilization of free circulating testosterone around the body. The increase in free circulating testosterone obtained from icariin within Horny Goat Weed results in impressive gains in terms of both muscle mass and muscle strength as well as enhancing mental and physical energy.

Research shows that taking a specific extract of horny goat weed for 24 months seems to decrease bone loss of the spine and hip in women who have passed menopause,thus may support strong bones and prevent osteoporosis.

Side effects of taking horny goat weed supplements
Like many other potent medicines, Side effects from horny goat weed are likely with high dosage use. Some of these effects could include dizziness, vomiting, bleeding from the nose or excessive thirst. When in doubt as to whether this herbal supplement could be beneficial, it is always advisable to seek the advice of an experienced professional.

Dosage of horny goat weed supplements
Dosing considerations for Horny Goat Weed: Since there are more than 10 popular specifications of the horney goat weed extract, there is not unified dose. Higher dosage per serving like 98% icariin of course will be much lower than the 10%. In addition, different people and different purposes of taking epimedium may result in different dosage. The appropriate dose of horny goat weed depends on several factors such as the user’s age, health, and several other conditions. However, from the horny goat weed supplement available on the market, the most common amount of horny goat weed used daily is around 250-1000mg per day and should be taken with meals and several hours before sexual activity.

Why to buy horny goat weed extract?
Horny Goat weed extract (Icariin) from Herb Nutritionals Co.,ltd is bulk raw materials with all necessary documents such as COA, MSDS. And the specifications are also very comprehensive. From 10% to icariin 98%.