What is Horny Goat Weed Extract?
- – Horny Goat Weed, also known as Epimedium, has a long history usage as an aphrodisiac and touted as a testosterone booster. Icariin is its active ingredient which is recognized as a prenylated flavonoid compound and has been found to play the role of the herb’s aphrodisiac effect. In one rat study, it has been shown testosterone levels can be increased at a rather high dose, and a moderate dosage can actually be beneficial to bone health. Additionally, other two compounds in Horny Goat Weed, Icaritin and Desmethylicaritin, may have effect on increasing estrogen in post-menopausal females instead of testosterone levels. Horny Goat Weed Extract acts as an aphrodisiac in both genders, and the gender-specific hormone increasing can be beneficial for both genders. [1]
Function? – Bone Health
- There are vitro studies indicating that Icariin can act more effectively than Genistein on preventing osteoporosis since it is more osteogenic(bone-forming). Similar results have also been found in rats, though not in comparison with Genistein. Additionally, there is a study conducted in post-menopausal women with a combination of soy isoflavones (Genistein at 3mg and Daidzein at 15mg) with Icariin at 60mg/day for 2 years, and the results showed that their bone mineral density loss was greatly decreased.[1]
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