Epimedium Extract
Product Name: Epimedium Extract
Other Names: Horny Goat W eed Extract, Epimedium
Brevicornum Extract, Epimedium Grandiflorum Extract
CAS No.: 489-32-7
Botanical Source: Epimedium Grandiflorum
Part Used: Leaves & Stems
Specifications:
Icariin 10%, 20%, 50% ,90%,98%by HPLC
Icariins 10%, 20% by HPLC
Description
Commonly known as Horny Goat W eed, this herb is used in the United States mainly for its aphrodisiac properties and libido enhancement in men and women. It is sometimes combined in natural aphrodisiac products with other herbs used for sexual enhancement including avena sativa, catuaba, eurycoma, yohimbe, tribulus terrestris, mucuna pruriens, muira puama, maca, ginsent, ginkgo biloba, and others. Herbal Epimedium species have been used widely in Traditional Chinese Medicine for sexual enhancement, immunity improvement, anti-cancer and anti-aging treatment. Flavonoids and polysaccharides are the major active components.
The botanical name for horny goat w eed is Epimedium sagittatum. There are many varieties of plants, including grandiflorum. Epimedium herb Yinyanghuo, one of the popular Chinese materia medica, is a multiple species colony of Epimedium genus belonging to Berberidaceae. There are five species that have been officially adopted in Chinese Pharmacopoeia under the same crude drug name Yinyanghuo comprising E. brevicornu, E. koreanum, E. sagittatum, E. pubescens, and E. wushanense. In addition, non-official species like E. acuminatum, E. miryanthum and E. leptorrhizum are also mixed and used. Epimedium herb has flavonoids such as icariin, epimedin A, epimedin B, epimedin C and baohuoside Iicariin, along with prenylated flavonol glycosides sagittasine A-C, acylated flavonol glycosides such as kaempferol, together with flavonolignans, 2-phenoxychromones, a lignan, and aromatic acid derivatives. Some of these compounds, particularly icariin, promote endothelial nitric oxide-dependent relaxation of blood vessels and hence can be of help for the treatment of erectile function and impotence.
Product Name |
Epimedium Extract |
Botanical Source |
Epimedium Brevicornum |
Plant Part Used |
Leaf, 100% Natural |
Type of Product |
Standard Extract |
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Analysis Items |
Specifications |
Appearance |
Fine Brown Powder |
Odor & Taste |
Characteristic |
Bulk Density |
Slack Density |
Tight Density |
Particle Size |
95% through 80 Mesh |
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Assay |
NLT 10% Icariins |
Loss on Drying |
NMT 5.0% |
Ash Content |
NMT 5.0% |
Extract Solvents |
Ethanol |
Active Ingredients
One of the principal active ingredients in Horny Goats w eed is "icariin". The concentration may determine much of the potency of each particular species of Epimedium. The icariin works by relaxing smooth muscle tissue, which is different from skeletal muscle tissue. The significance of this is that involuntary tension in the internal tissues can be relaxed, which many believe cause the central nervous system to shift from the so-called fight/flight mode into the rest/restore mode. When this change occurs, many elements of a disease tend to reverse because the body is no longer in a stressed condition. Although this many not cure many problems, especially the ones that are in advanced stages, many people use herbs to manage their condition and obtain some relief.
Habitat
Horny goats W eed is found growing all over the southern areas of China, but can also be found in the Asian countries that immediately border China, as well as some neighboring European countries. The Chinese name is Yin Yang Huo, or Xian Ling Pi, and it is used extensively in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It has become popular in the field of Western alternative medicine for use in treating multiple conditions.
One should realize that although the plant may bear the same name, there are close to 60 species of Epimedium plants and over 15 in China that bears the name "Yin Yang Huo." It might be difficult for the layperson to determine the strength and properties of the plant based on the name alone.
Function
1> Erectile dysfunction
2> Osteoporosis
3>. Promotes Graceful Aging
4> Balances Hormones
5> Relief from Menopause Symptoms
6>Soothes Sore Joints
Potency and Doses
Although there are many natural concentrations of icariin found in this plant in nature, during the process of cultivation, it is possible to regulate the dose for individual consumption. The individual dose will be partly determined by height, weight and other medical conditions. As always, it is highly recommended for anyone with a medical condition to speak with their appropriate health care professionals about the use of this herb in treating their condition. Overdoses should be avoided, and the potency of the herb is difficult to determine unless provided by a trained professional.
The leaves of this plant are edible, but are known to be extremely bitter and are sold most frequently in capsule form. However, some herbal outlets will also sell it in a prepared form that can be used to make a medicinal tea. The leaves will have been cooked, soaked and re-boiled before packaging to remove the excessive bitterness.