Epimedium

Epimedium grandiflorum

Epimedium Goat Wort Horny Goatweed Yin Yang Huo Uses Considerations

Epimedium is a low-growing herb in the same family as coptis. Often used in Chinese medicine as a pungent tea, its yellow green leaves are traditionally steeped in wine before being fashioned into pills. Its Chinese name yin yang huo is literally translated as "herb for the licentious old goat."

USES

Epimedium is a versatile Chinese herb traditionally used to treat impotence, infertility, forgetfulness, back pain, and arthritis. Because of epimedium's ability to dilate capillaries and other blood vessels, it is used to facilitate blood circulation to the brain as well as to the sexual organs, while also lowering blood pressure. Epimedium also stimulates the production of male sex hormones and tonifies the liver.

Benefits of epimedium for specific health conditions include the following:

• Diarrhea and urinary incontinence. Chinese physicians report that epimedium stimulates muscle growth in the sphincter muscles, which helps bring incontinence under control.
• Gonorrhea. Epimedium kills the bacteria that cause gonorrhea and stimulates the activity of germ-eating immune cells called macrophages.
• High blood pressure. Epimedium increases blood flow to the heart by causing the coronary blood vessels to dilate. This action lowers blood pressure and is long-lasting, although the body can develop a tolerance to the herb after long-term use.
• HIV / AIDS, impotence, and infertility. Unlike the many herbs that have estrogen like effects, epimedium is an unusual herb in that it has testosterone like effects. It stimulates sexual activity in both men and women, increases sperm production, stimulates the sensory nerves, and increases sexual desire. This herb increases blood flow to the penis and also prevents a protein called fibrin from being deposited on capillary walls, thus preventing loss of sexual function in men with atherosclerosis. Epimedium's testosterone like actions also allow it to fight the muscle wasting experienced by many people with AIDS. In laboratory tests, chemical components of the herb even act against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) itself.

CONSIDERATIONS

Epimedium tablets should be taken as directed by an herbalist. It is a relatively nontoxic herb, but with prolonged use can cause side effects such as dizziness, vomiting, dry mouth, increased thirst, or nosebleed. If any of these symptoms appear, discontinue the herb. Extreme overdoses can result in exaggerated reflexes, spasms, and respiratory arrest. People with prostate disorders or high blood pressure should avoid epimedium.