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Consumers buy icariin 50 for sexual function and cardiovascular health. Icariin 50 can refer to either a specific supplement (there are at least two available supplements named icariin 50) or to supplements that are standardized to contain 50 % icariin extract, the bioactive constituent of horny goat weed.
Horny goat weed is a translation of yin yang huo, the name assigned to medicinal species of the Epimedium genus in traditional Chinese medicine.
Epimedium contains over 60 species of hardy evergreen perennials that are indigenous to China and regions of Korea; however, only about 15 of the species are considered medicinal.
Icariin 50% capsules are used to improve erectile ability and sexual performance. This natural extract has long been associated with an increase in sex drive in both men and women, which may be the result of improved blood flow to the genitals.
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Testo- sterone- Inhibits PDE-5 enzyme & raises nitric oxide
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Horny goat weed contains a number of flavonoids (known antioxidants) including icariin. Contemporary research indicates icariin is a PDE5 inhibitor, meaning it blocks the activity phosphodiesterase type 5 enzymes.
PDE5 is responsible for the breakdown of a molecule called cyclic GMP (cGMP), which plays an important role in relaxing smooth muscle tissue in blood vessels and allowing sufficient blood to flow to the penis to cause an erection.
Pharmaceutical medications for the treatment of erectile dysfunction are often synthetic PDE5 inhibitors. Species of Epimedium are one of the only plants that naturally produce a PDE5 inhibitor.
Icariin 50 Extract Uses
There are many contemporary uses of icariin-50 tablets, but more research is needed to establish its efficacy. In traditional Chinese medicine, horny goat weed is considered a yang tonic and is used to support the energetic organs, such as the kidney.
In TCM, the kidney is tied to sexual health. The remedy is also used to ward off or treat what is referred to as wind-damp-cold, a condition where the body’s vital energy or qi is blocked.
According to the University of Michigan Health Systems Library, this condition may translate into Western terms as hardening of the arteries and related complications. [1]
It is important to note that in traditional Chinese medicine, herbs such as Epimedium spp. are almost always used in combination and horny goat weed would rarely, if ever, be provided on its own.
Icariin 50 for Sexual Health
The contemporary identification of icariin as a constituent of horny goat weed and a PDE5 inhibitor has made it a popular dietary supplement.
The Natural Medicine Comprehensive Database notes that horny goat weed is used for the following:
- impotence
- involuntary ejaculation
- sexual dysfunction
- fatigue (mental and physical)
- hypertension
- memory loss
- weak back and knees
- osteoporosis and postmenopausal bone loss
In general, more research is needed to establish the therapeutic effects of icariin-50 and horny goat weed in human populations. While there have been many animal and laboratory studies conducted, few human trials have been completed to establish the efficacy and safety of icariin supplementation.
Icariin-50 and Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
One of the main reasons men buy supplements containing 50 % icariin is to treat erectile dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction is characterized by the inability to develop or maintain an erection. This condition may be caused by a host of issues, ranging from the physiological to the psychological.
One of the physiological treatments for ED involves ensuring enough blood is able to flow to the penis to develop an erection.
PDE5 and Erectile Dysfunction
PDE5 (cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase type 5) is an enzyme concentrated in the retinas of the eyes and the corpus cavernosum of the penis. PDE5 can prevent sufficient blood delivery to the penis, which can result in the inability to gain and/or maintain an erection.
Icariin is a natural PDE5 inhibitor. By inhibiting the actions of PDE5, icariin can help ensure sufficient blood flow reaches the penis to allow for the development of an erection.
Common drugs sold for sexual enhancement, including Viagra and Cialis, use synthetic PDE5 inhibitors. Some buy icariin 50 as a natural alternative to these drugs.
Advocates claim icariin can not only help support blood flow for improved erections, but can also act as an aphrodisiac to increase sexual desire. More research is needed to verify these claims.
Icariin for Cardiovascular Health
Icariin is also taken for cardiovascular health. While some of the traditional uses of horny goat weed can roughly map on to Western ideas of heart health, more research is needed to understand what effect horny goat weed and icariin have on the cardiovascular system.
Some suggest that icariin may support cardiovascular health by promoting vasodilation. Vasodilation occurs when the inner linings of the blood vessels, heart muscle and the rest of the circulatory system smooth and relax.
In this relaxed state, the tissues are able to expand and accommodate increased and unobstructed blood flow. Some suggest this leads to improved circulation and cardiovascular health.
Icariin 50 Side Effects
The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates horny goat weed as “Possibly Safe” when used orally and appropriately. However, long-term use is rated “Possibly Unsafe” because it has been associated with a case of respiratory arrest.
Additionally, it is rated “Possibly Unsafe” for pregnancy because it may exhibit androgenic activity that could harm the fetus.
Horny goat weed may interact with a number of prescription and over-the-counter medications, such as antihypertensive medications, estrogen replacement agents, QT-interval-prolonging drugs or medications for hormone-sensitive conditions.
Speak with your doctor before you buy 50 % icariin or any horny goat weed supplements to help avoid side effects and drug interactions.
- How It Works: Horny Goat Weed. University of Michigan Health System. 2015 Apr 14.
- Liang Q, Wei G, Chen J, Wang Y, Huang H. Variation of medicinal components in a unique geographical accession of hornygoat weed Epimedium sagittatum Maxim. (Berberidaceae). Molecules. 2012 Nov 8;17(11):13345-56.
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- Shindel AW, Xin ZC, Lin G, Fandel TM, Huang YC, Banie L, Breyer BN, Garcia MM, Lin CS, Lue TF. Erectogenic and neurotrophic effects of icariin, a purified extract of horny goat weed(Epimedium spp.) in vitro and in vivo. J Sex Med. 2010 Apr;7(4 Pt 1):1518-28.
- Arief ZM, Munshi AH, Shawl AS. Evaluation of medicinal value of Epimedium elatum on the basis of pharmacologically active constituents, Icariin and Icariside-II Pak J Pharm Sci. 2015 Sep;28(5):1665-9.
- Le AW, Shan L, Wang ZH, Dai XY, Xiao TH, Zuo R. Effects of icariin on the expression of ER, VEGF, and KDR in the endometrial cells of thin endometrium. Genet Mol Res. 2015 Sep 22;14(3):11250-8.
- Fu SP, Yang L, Hong H, Ou C, Zhang RH. [Icariin Promoted Osteogenic Differentiation of SD Rat Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells: an Experimental Study]. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2015 Jul;35(7):839-46.
- Corazza O, Martinotti G, Santacroce R, Chillemi E, Di Giannantonio M, Schifano F, Cellek S. Sexual enhancement products for sale online: raising awareness of the psychoactive effects of yohimbine, maca, horny goat weed, and Ginkgo biloba. Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014:841798.
- Ma H, He X, Yang Y, Li M, Hao D, Jia Z. The genus Epimedium: an ethnopharmacological and phytochemical review. J Ethnopharmacol. 2011 Apr 12;134(3):519-41.
Article last updated on: March 13th, 2018 by Nootriment