H
HORNY GOAT WEED, BARRENWORT, YINYANGHUO
(Epimedium spp.) ++Most often cited as “yinyanghuo” (Pinyin) is Epimedium grandiflorum, but E. brevicornum,
E. koreanum, E. sagittatum and up to 12 other species used interchangeably as yinyanghuo
(AHP).Activities (Horny Goat Weed) — Antiaggregant (1; X3442915); Antiarthritic (f; LAF); Antibac-
terial (1; LAF); Anticancer (f; JLH); Antiglucocorticoid (1; X9812684); Antiinflammatory (f; LAF);
Antiosteoporotic (1; LAF; X11263203); Antirheumatic (f; LAF); Antiseptic (1; LAF); Antitussive
(1; LAF); Antiviral (1; LAF); Aphrodisiac (1; AKT; LAF); Cardioprotective (1; LAF); Catechola-
mine Inhibitor (1; LAF); Expectorant (1; LAF); Fibrinolytic (1; X1303813); Hepatoprotective (1;
AKT); Hypotensive (1; LAF); Immunomodulator (1; LAF); Immunostimulant (1; AKT; X9270375);
Leukocytogenic (1; X9270375); Memorigenic (1; LAF); Osteogenic (1; AKT); Phagocytotic (1;
X2374090); Proaggregant (1; LAF); Spermatogenic (1; AKT; DAA); Tonic (f; LAF); Vasodilator
(1; LAF).Indications (Horny Goat Weed) — Arthrosis (1; LAF); Backache (1; LAF); Bacteria (1; LAF);
Bleeding (1; LAF); Bronchosis (1; LAF); Cancer (f; JLH); Cancer, uterus (f; DAA; JLH);
Cardiopathy (1; LAF; X3442915); Cold (1; LAF); Cough (1; LAF); Dysuria (f; AKT); Fatigue
(f; LAF); Flu (1; LAF); Hepatosis (1; LAF); High Blood Pressure (1; AKT; LAF); Hypothyroid-
ism (f; AKT); Immunodepression (1; AKT; X9270375); Impotence (1; LAF); Infection (1; LAF);
Inflammation (f; LAF); Leukopenia (1; LAF); Nephrosis (f; AKT); Neurasthenia (1; LAF);
Osteoporosis (1; AKT; LAF; X11263203); Poliomyelosis (1; LAF); Polyuria (f; AKT); Rheu-
matism (f; LAF); Spermatorrhea (1; LAF); Sterility (1; HAD); Uterosis (f; DAA); Virus (1;
LAF); Weak Knees (1; LAF).Dosages (Horny Goat Weed) — 3–12 g shoots/day, or 1–3 g shoots concentrated 4:1 powder.
Food farmacy (according to Tanaka, 1976), “young plants and young leaves are parboiled, steeped,
and then eaten in soups, cooked or oil roasted. Plants are also dipped into liquor.”Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Horny Goat Weed) — Class 2d. Not for
long term use; possibly causing dizziness, dry mouth, nosebleed, thirst, and vomiting (AHP;
AKT). In very large doses may cause respiratory arrest and hyperreflexia, to the point of mild
spasms (AHP). Not covered (KOM; PH2). Contraindicated when there is a tendency toward
hypersexuality and wet dreams (Michael Tierra). LD50 total flavonoids 2850–3230 ipr rat
(LAF).