Epimedium, also called horny goat weed, is a plant with evergreen or deciduous leaves, with small elongated flowers, often with prominent spurs, which blooms in mid to late spring.
It seems that this pint is used as a solution to various pathologies, but it is best known for its benefit on male sex life, since it seems to stimulate the increase of testosterone and, therefore, at the same time an improvement in erection.
This plant is used to treat various ailments, such as:
- Bronchitis;
- Erectile dysfunction (impotence);
- Heart disease;
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Joint pain
- Kidney and liver disorders;
- Lack of energy;
- Memory loss;
- Osteoporosis.
Epimedium, or Epimedium Alpinium: what is
Contents
- Epimedium, o Epimedium Alpinium: che cos’e
- Botanical description
- Use in traditional Chinese medicine
- Epimedium for erectile dysfunction: how it works
- A similar effect to sildenafil citrate
- How to take Epimedium
Posology and dosage- Epimedium Alpinium in all its forms
- To combat erectile dysfunction, take Epimedium
- Epimedium: side effects and contraindications
The soft, heart-shaped green leaf of this goat herb may hold the key to a new drug for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Researchers say the viagra alternative might be as effective as the famous blue pill, but have fewer side effects.
Mario Dell’Agli of the University of Milan, Italy, and colleagues tested four plants that are used as natural aphrodisiacs in traditional cultures to establish their potential as an alternative to viagra.
Viagra’s active compound, sildenafil, works by inhibiting an enzyme called phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5). Since PDE5 helps control blood flow to the penis, inhibition of PDE5 promotes male erection.
Dell’Agli and his colleagues tested the four plants in vitro to see how efficient they were at inhibiting PDE5. Only one, namely the epimedium, had any effect. Botanical description
Epimedium is a rhizomatous perennial herb. It is native to Japan, Korea and parts of China and grows on hill slopes, in crevices in cliffs and in shady areas. The stems contain 1 to 3 basal leaves. The plant has light yellow, purple, red and white flowers, which appear in spring, along with oval fruit.
Epimedium is a herbaceous member of the barberry plant family (Berberidaceae). The good news is that it shares none of the invasive characteristics that some woody members of that family are known for.
Low-growing Epimediums have an average height of 8 to 12 cm. Depending on your selection, they form a low mound or a gently spreading ground cover. They grow best in a shady or semi-shaded area.
Epimedium are naturally distributed in the areas around the Mediterranean Sea and East Asia. Those species that have evolved in the Mediterranean area tend to be evergreen and drought tolerant once they are established. Species that were introduced from Asia are not as drought tolerant as their Mediterranean cousins ​​and prefer rich, moist soils. They also tend to die in the fall and re-emerge in the spring with fantastic variations in foliage, structure and color. Some varieties turn red, yellow, or bronze for a second burst of color as temperatures drop in the fall. Use in Traditional Chinese Medicine
There are 15 different species known as “yin yang huo” in Chinese medicine.
Epimedium is mainly used for sexual performance problems, such as erectile dysfunction and low sexual desire, as well as a remedy for weak and brittle bones (osteoporosis), health problems after menopause and joint pain, but there is limited scientific research supporting these uses.
Historically, epimedium was thought to have aphrodisiac effects and was used to treat impotence, spermatorhea and premature ejaculation. It has also been traditionally used in Korea, Japan and China for more than 2,000 years to nourish the kidneys. However, clinical trial data is lacking to support these claims. Epimedium for erectile dysfunction: how it works
Epimedium brevicornum Maxim is believed to have sexual stimulation effects on males. Many studies have verified the hypothesis that EbM extracts have the effect of relaxing the smooth muscle of the corpora cavernosa through the activation of multitargets on the nitric oxide signaling pathway.
Some things to keep in mind when stimulating sex drive is the fact that the hormone that stimulates sex drive is testosterone. This works for both males and females. A lot of foods stimulate and inhibit testosterone production. Epimedium is a plant that increases it. A similar effect to sildenafil citrate
Some recent studies are showing that epimedium could replace viagra, as it is similar in action. Epimedium, being a plant, does not have the same side effects as sildenafil contained in viagra. For these reasons it could establish itself as an alternative to the famous blue pill, but without the consequences and side effects caused. How to take Epimedium
Posology and dosage
The appropriate dose of epimedium depends on several factors such as the user’s age, health and several other conditions.
You need to speak to your doctor before taking epimedium-containing pills if you have:
- Thyroid problems
- Uncontrolled blood pressure.
If you need urgent care, surgery or dental problems, you should mention that you are taking epimedium supplements.
As for the dosage, it is advisable to follow the instructions contained in the package. We recommend that you do not take a higher dose or take it for a longer time.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take any medications after talking with their doctor, including epimedium supplements. It should not be taken by infants, children or the elderly without doctor’s approval.
Along with its desirable effects, this remedy can cause some unwanted side effects.
A supplement with epimedium could cause problems such as breathing problems, bruising or bleeding, dizziness, vomiting, dry mouth, muscle spasms, increased sweating. Epimedium Alpinium in all its forms
Clinical studies have shown improved erectile tissue function and neurotrophic effects in vitro. The effects were attributed in part to the effect of the flavonol glycoside icariin in promoting the release of nitric oxide in the erectile tissue. A combined preparation and its individual herbal components were tested for efficacy and safety in rats. Epimedium extract increased the penile erection index, but less than the combined preparation.
In vitro experiments were also conducted on extracts of a related plant, Epimedium brevicornum, while other studies suggest that Epimedium species can exert estrogenic effects due to phytoestrogenic constituents. To combat erectile dysfunction, take Epimedium
Currently, especially in China epimedium extracts are commonly used as a sex remedy for both men and women and there is a lot of anecdotal evidence to suggest that it works.
Like any plant, epimedium contains dozens of compounds that have potential physiological activity. There are antioxidants such as quercetin, flavanols such as icariin and a number of other substances useful to the body.
Some studies in mice have shown an increase in testosterone level after administration of plant extracts and other experiments in rodents have shown a decrease in levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that can depress sexual desire. Laboratory experiments have also shown that compounds in epimedium interfere with an enzyme that normally degrades acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that has been associated with sexual arousal. Epimedium: side effects and contraindications
Of course, one must always check the compounds contained in the chosen supplements, since in many cases it is combined with other substances that have alleged aphrodisiac properties, such as Tribulus terrestris or catuaba bark extract and there may also be some steroids such as 4- androstenedione.
Not knowing the exact composition of such products, it is practically impossible to predict possible risks.
The advice we can give you about this is not to take supplements without first consulting your doctor. Even if they are natural supplements, it is always better to have medical advice, also based on your physical condition and possibly based on the drugs you take at the same time.
