This is How Horny Goat Weed Benefits Your Sexual Health

Natural herbs and supplements are primarily considered potent treatment options, thanks to ancient medicine. They help alleviate symptoms and provide relief without major side effects. Horny goat weed, also known as ‘natural Viagra’, is one such traditional Chinese medicinal herb that claims to treat erectile dysfunction in men. Quite intriguing, right? Read through to know all about horny goat weed benefits.

What is Horny Goat Weed?

Horny goat weed is a herb native to China, Japan, and Korea. The leaves of the small flowering plant are known to possess medicinal properties that help treat various medical conditions.

The horny goat weed benefits include boost in sexual performance. The horny goat weed uses include correcting problems like erectile dysfunction and involuntary ejaculation. The use of the herb also increases sexual desire. The herb is known by different names like yin yang huo, barrenwort, rowdy lamb herb, and randy beef grass. 

How Does Horny Goat Weed Work?

The most popular use of horny goat weed is its use as an active ingredient in men’s sexual health supplements. Icariin, the active ingredient in the weed, is known to possess aphrodisiac properties. 

During sexual stimulation, nitric oxide with a chemical called cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), cause the smooth muscles to relax. This allows blood to flow inside the penis, which leads to an erection. But for people suffering from erectile dysfunction, high levels of an enzyme called protein phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) interfere with the working of nitric oxide and cGMP. As the smooth flow of blood is inhibited, men experience difficulty in getting or keeping an erection.

Icariin in horny goat weed inhibits the activity of the PDE5 enzyme. This allows the free flow of blood into the sexual organ, thereby improving erection and sexual function. 

Other Possible Uses of Horny Goat Weed

In addition to aphrodisiac attributes, horny goat weed has other medicinal properties that make it effective for therapeutic use. Horny goat weed is used as an alternative medicine to treat conditions like:

1. Osteoporosis – The phytoestrogens (plant-based oestrogen) in horny goat weed mimic the effect of oestrogen hormone. Optimum levels of oestrogen in the body help reduce bone loss which results in weak and brittle bones.
2. Post menopause implications – Horny goat weed possess estradiol properties that help settle postmenopausal conditions like hot flushes, vaginal dryness, and low oestrogen levels.
3. Bronchitis – Caused due to swelling in the airways to the lungs, horny goat weed helps reduce inflammation in the airways.
4. Heart disease – Atherosclerosis or the build-up of plaque in the arteries, is the main reason for high blood pressure and heart disease. Horny goat weed helps cut down plaque build-up.
5. Osteoarthritis or Joint pain – Icariin present in horny goat weed helps slow down the age-related breakdown in cartilage in the bone joints. This prevents osteoarthritis and related joint pain.
6. Insomnia – Horny goat weed can calm nerves and ease anxiety. This helps relieve insomnia.
7. HIV/AIDS – Extracts in horny goat weed help boost immune strength, which is important for the management of HIV/AIDS.
8. Fatigue – Horny goat weed stimulates blood flow and oxygen supply throughout the body – this reduces fatigue.
9. Memory Loss – Horny goat weed helps reduce toxin build-up in the body, which triggers brain conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.
10. Skin and Hair – Horny goat weed stimulates blood flow in the body. This is crucial for glowing skin and improved hair quality.

Recommended Dosage of Horny Goat Weed

Horny goat weed supplements are easily available over-the-counter in the form of tablets, capsules, powders, and teas.

To reap the horny goat weed benefits in a safe manner, make sure you get a dose of 500 – 1000 mg per day. One can consume it every day or pop in the required dose 90 minutes before sexual activity, as advised by the healthcare provider.

While it is safe to use horny goat weed for up to two years at a stretch, consider taking a week-long break every month to minimise side-effects and maximise results. In no case the upper limit of the horny goat weed dosage must exceed:

1. 900 mg of icariin for an individual weighing 68 kg
2. 1,200 mg of icariin for an individual weighing 90 kg
3. 1,500 mg of icariin for an individual weighing 113 kg

The herbal supplement will start showing results within two to three weeks of use. In case you do not experience results within the stated time frame, it is best to withhold its use. Consult your healthcare provider for a future course of action.

Horny Goat Weed Side Effects

Although horny goat weed is safe when consumed in appropriate doses, excessive reliance on natural herbs can have side effects. These include:

1. Bleeding Disorders – Horny goat weed reduces the blood’s clotting ability. This can increase the risk of bleeding.
2. Low Blood Pressure – The herb is used as a treatment for high blood pressure. Excessive intake of the weed can lower it to dangerous levels.
3. Breast and Uterus Cancer – The weed is used to increase oestrogen levels. But its use can trigger oestrogen-sensitive conditions like breast and uterus cancer in some women.

Other common side effects of horny goat weed are:

1. Rapid heartbeat or tachycardia
2. Irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia
3. Dizziness
4. Spasms and breathing problems
5. Vomiting
6. Dry mouth and thirst

Special Precautions and Warnings

Horny goat weed use comes with certain precautions and warnings. The herb is considered unsafe for use in the following people:

1. Pregnant women – Horny goat weed use in pregnant women can harm the developing foetus. 
2. Breastfeeding mothers – Not enough information is available about the use of the herb during breastfeeding. Therefore, it must be best avoided.
3. Bleeding disorders – People with bleeding disorders can experience aggravated issues.
4. People undergoing planned surgeries – As horny goat weed use slows down blood clotting, its intake must be stopped at least two weeks before surgery.
5. Women with hormone-sensitive conditions – Horny goat weed use can complicate symptoms in women who are dealing with hormone-sensitive conditions. 

Possible Drug Interactions

While there are many amazing Horny goat weed uses, it has mild to moderate drug interactions with 26 different drugs. Therefore, one must be cautious in using the supplement if already they’re on the following medications:

1. Antihypertensive drugs or medicines for high blood pressure
2. Anticoagulant drugs or blood thinners
3. People on hormone replacement therapy who are prescribed oestrogen
4. Drugs metabolised in the liver

How to Choose the Best Horny Goat Weed?

The markets are saturated with sexual health supplements. Choosing the one that confers the best results with fewer side effects is essential. Look for the Supplement Facts label on the product you wish to buy. Read through the product label carefully and check for other active ingredients per serving. 

Buying an authentic and approved brand is paramount. This will not only ensure the safety and efficacy of the product but will certify that the product is made correctly and does not contain any harmful levels of contaminants.

But before you start taking a horny goat weed supplement, talk to your healthcare provider. Your practitioner will guide you about the safety and dosage of the supplement, keeping into consideration your age, sex, and existing medical health condition.

Conclusion

Horny goat weed can prove to be natural Viagra for some people. It helps treat erectile dysfunction and stimulates sexual arousal. Horny goat weed uses extend to promoting bone, heart, and brain health too. But its efficacy can depend upon several factors including age, sex, and ongoing medical health problems. 

The recommended serving size is typically between 500 to 1,000 mg per serving. Excessive and prolonged intake of horny goat weed can have side effects and prove toxic. The supplement is also associated with mild to moderate drug interaction with 26 categories of drugs. Thus, talking to your healthcare provider is important before you start taking horny goat weed supplements.