Horny Goat Weed or Epimedium grandiflorum is an herb that is becoming popular because of its aphrodisiac properties. This herb was first discovered by the Chinese and they refer to it as Yin Yang Huo. According to a Chinese legend, the herb was discovered by a goat herder who noticed that his goats became sexually active after eating the plant.
The pursuit of sexual fulfillment in both men and women has resulted to creation of various techniques such as male enhancement, herbal pills, drugs such as Viagra and other libido-boosting products. Drugs like Viagra have gained popularity in treating sexual dysfunction in males. This drug does not work for females though; clinical studies have failed to show that Sildenafil (Viagra) treats sexual impotence in women. Thus, more women express sexual dissatisfaction than men according to studies.
Horny Goat Weed's mechanism of action involves increasing the levels of nitric oxide, a potent vasodilator that increase the blood flow to smooth muscles in the genitals. This enhancements erection in men, allowing them to sustain hard and long erections and prevents premature ejaculation. In women, the effect is a tweaked sensation in erectile tissues like the clitoris giving them explosive orgasms. Horny Goat Weed is the ultimate romance herb, along with Ginseng which produces similar effects.
Another action of horny goat weed which is similar to the mechanism that makes Viagra popular is the inhibition of the enzyme PDE-5. The key component of Horny Goat Weed is the flavonoid Icariin which improves erectile function by acting as an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) the enzyme that breaks down the cellular messenger for erection. Thus, inhibition of this enzyme enhancements penileection.
In a study of the effect of a Horny Goat Weed mixture between a group of healthy men and healthy men taking Viagra, the research concludes that 60% of the healthy men experienced improved sexual performance after taking the mixture which contained Horny Goat Weed and 45% of the men who were already on Viagra experienced an increase in sexual satisfaction and sexual performance.
Natural increase in testosterone is one of the many benefits of Horny Goat Weed. It builds up testosterone in men with low levels and restores it to normal which has positive effects on libido and gains overall sexual functioning. Other benefits with Horny Goat Weed are increased sperm and semen production, as well as improved sperm motility.
Aside from its aphrodisiac properties it also has additional medicinal components which are anti-asthmatic, anti-bacterial, blood-glucose lowering and stamina-boosting. It can also help individuals battle stress by increasing the hormone epinephrine, norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine. These hormones keep individuals happy and energized, essential elements in keeping a healthy sex life.
Epimedium has a range of positive effects on human well-being. Its effect on sexual desire and sexual performance is essentially the most important of them all. People need to feel good about themselves; sexually gratifying experiences should not be limited by age or factors such as stress and fatigue. Everyone describes all the pleasures of love-making. It's perfectly natural; as natural as the Horny Goat Weed experience.