Description

Horny goat weed is a plant used in traditional Chinese medicine. As its nickname, “natural Viagra,” implies, some people use horny goat weed to improve sexual function and arousal.

What Is Horny Goat Weed Used For?

The health and sexual benefit claims for horny goat weed go back thousands of years.

According to folklore, a Chinese goat herder noticed that his flock had heightened sexual activity after eating the plant. This led to the discovery of the plant’s aphrodisiac (sexually stimulating) qualities. So, if you were wondering where this herbal remedy got its name, now you know.

Horny goat weed contains chemical compounds known as phytoestrogens, plant-based substances that have the same effects as the estrogen your body produces. This is why some people suggest that it can influence hormones and bone health.

Alternative medicine practitioners propose that horny goat weed is useful in complementary therapy to treat certain conditions.

• Erectile dysfunction
• Low libido (sexual desire)
• Osteoarthritis (“wear and tear” arthritis)
• Osteoporosis (thinning of the bones)
• Joint pain
• Bronchitis (swollen airways to the lungs)
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure

Some claim that horny goat weed can improve circulation by thinning the blood.2 It has also been used to relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), sharpen memory, and boost energy.

Few studies have looked at the benefits of horny goat weed. The main studies are in vitro (conducted in test tubes) or animal studies. Erectile dysfunction and bone disorders are the two most common conditions that have been studied.

Erectile Dysfunction

Quality research is lacking, but some evidence suggests horny goat weed can help males who have certain types of sexual dysfunction.

PDE5 basically limits the increase in blood flow to the penis that is needed for an erection. Erectile dysfunction happens when there’s not enough blood flowing to the penis.Normally, the body curbs PDE5 levels. In people who have erectile dysfunction, PDE5 might not be controlled the way it should be.

Scientists found that icariin acts in the same way as Viagra (sildenafil) by blocking PDE5 activity. However, the action was weak, even in a test tube study. Compared to icariin, Viagra was 80 times more effective.

That’s not to say horny goat weed won’t improve a man’s ability to have an erection. The supplement may increase blood flow enough to trigger an erection in people who have mild to moderate erectile dysfunction.

Bone and Joint Health

Phytoestrogens are plant-based estrogens found in horny goat weed and other plants. They can imitate the action of estrogen. Low estrogen levels after menopause can cause bone loss. Some alternative medicine practitioners suggest phytoestrogens can help treat this bone loss.

In the study, 85 late-postmenopausal women took either a placebo (sugar pill) or a phytoestrogen supplement extracted from horny goat weed. They all took 300 milligrams (mg) of calcium per day as well.

Two years later, horny goat weed extract appeared to help prevent bone loss. The phytoestrogen group had better bone turnover markers (the measure of how much new bone is being made to replace old bone tissue).

Horny goat weed wasn’t linked with any negative effects that women experience when taking estrogen, such as endometrial hyperplasia (irregular thickening of the uterine wall). In some cases, endometrial hyperplasia can lead to cancer of the uterus.

Additionally, a 2018 animal study looked at the effects of icariin, the substance extracted from horny goat weed. They found that icariin can help slow the breakdown of cartilage in the joints that causes osteoarthritis.5

Cartilage is a tissue that helps cushion the joints and prevents bones from rubbing together. When there’s not enough cartilage to absorb shock, you may experience osteoarthritis symptoms like joint inflammation and stiffness.

Possible Side Effects

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), appropriate doses of horny goat weed are considered safe. High doses can be toxic to the kidneys and liver.

Talk to your healthcare provider before you use horny goat weed to treat any chronic condition. They can check to see if it would interact with any drugs you’re taking, such as blood thinners or blood pressure medications.