Introduction of Epimedium Extract

1.Epimedium is a genus of twenty-one related plant species. The Chinese refer to epimedium as licentious goat plant. This may explain why US supplement companies call it "Horny Goat Weed".Epimedium is grown as an ornamental herb in Asia and the Mediterranean.

2.  Traditional Use

In Asia, leaves have been used on treating fatigue and boosting sex drive for a long history since the 16th century. Nowadays, the plant is a traditional Chinese medicine while it is widely used as dietary supplement in western countries.

3.Active Constituents

Epimedium contains at least 15 kinds of active elements, including icariin, epinedoside A, TFE, noricarliin, icariresinol, EPS, etc. It is considered at present that the elements with most powerful pharmacological activities are Icariin, TFE and EPS.
In a research on mice, it was found that icariin improved the growth of epididymis and seminal vesicle glands, and improved rats' interstitial cells in vitro for better basic excretion of testosterone and better production of cAMP, suggesting the androgen-like effect of Epimedium.