Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Horny Goat Weed (Epimedium species) has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine for supporting male reproductive health, particularly for addressing issues such as low libido and erectile dysfunction. The herb is said to have been discovered when goats consuming the plant showed increased sexual activity, hence its name. The active compound most often cited is icariin, which is believed to have mild PDE5 inhibitory activity—a mechanism similar to that of some pharmaceutical erectile dysfunction drugs—but the clinical evidence in humans is limited and not robust.

Most modern human studies are small, preliminary, or conducted in vitro or in animal models. While some laboratory and animal studies suggest a potential benefit for sexual function, there is insufficient high-quality clinical trial data to strongly support its effectiveness in men for reproductive health or sexual performance. Despite this, Horny Goat Weed remains popular in many traditional and over-the-counter supplements intended to support male sexual health, largely due to its longstanding use rather than strong scientific validation.

In summary, Horny Goat Weed's use for male reproductive health is primarily justified by tradition rather than rigorous scientific evidence. The overall evidence rating is low due to the lack of large, well-designed human trials confirming its efficacy or safety for this purpose.

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