Horny goat weed tea can be prepared from dried herbs or by adding hot water to liquid tincture. The tea can also be made from dry herb powder or prepared tea bags.
Horny goat weed is comprised of several species from the Epimedium genus. These plants are indigenous to China, Japan and Korea.
Epimedium spp. is known as yin yang huo in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In TCM, horny goat weed supplements are used as a kidney remedy and for sore joints, impotence and back pain.
Horny goat weed tea is also used to combat fatigue, adrenal exhaustion and stress. It is used as an aphrodisiac because it helps increase the blood flow to the genital area of men and women and increases libido (sex drive).
Within TCM this supplement is thought to lower blood pressure and it is used for conditions arising from a deficiency of yang, the complementary force of yin in TCM.
Scientific investigation of horny goat weed is limited. However, studies have revealed a number of its phytochemical constituents. In particular, the active ingredient in the supplement is thought to be a flavonoid called icariin.



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How to Make Horny Goat Weed Tea
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To prepare horny goat weed tea, combined the dried herb with two cups of hot water.
Bring it to a slow boil and simmer for 20 minutes.
Horny goat weed tea is best consumed on an empty stomach. In TCM this supplement is combined with a yin herb to avoid the possible side effects of aggressiveness, irritability and fever.
Maca (Lepidium meyenii), also known as Peruvian ginseng, is an adaptogenic yin herb that can be beneficially combined with horny goat weed tea.
Recommended Dosages
If you are making tea from prepared tincture, be sure to follow the tincture instructions to establish a healthy dose. For example, tinctures with an extraction ratio of one part herb to three parts liquid, with an alcohol volume of 45 percent, have been consumed at a dosage ranging from three to ten millilitres per day.
When using horny goat weed powder to make tea, the recommended dose is one-half to two grams up to three times a day. It is best to make a paste using powder and water and then add honey: tea made from horny goat weed powder may be too bitter on its own with just water.
Horny goat weed powder is also sometimes added to blended shakes and smoothies.
Buy Horny Goat Weed Tea
Horny Goat Weed Tea from Triple Leaf is a popular brand on Amazon and eBay. In this product, the herb is used in combination with a number of other herbs that are thought to balance yin and yang.
Horny Goat Weed Tea from Triple Leaf is comprised of:
- Fruit of the Asiatic dogwood (Cornus officinales) (Shen Zhi Yú in TCM): 120 mg. This supplement is said to tone the liver and the kidney yin and strengthen the kidney yang.
- Chinese liquorice root (Glycyrrhiza uralenis), known as Gan Cao in TCM: 160 mg. This supplement is said to replenish qi (vital energy) and is thought to have a beneficial effect on the spleen, stomach, heart and lung meridians. It is also used to treat yin deficiency.
- Chinese yam (Dioscorea oppositifolia) root: 120 mg, (Shan Yao in TCM). This supplement is used to treat disorders related to the stomach, spleen, lungs, and kidneys. It is suitable for treating deficiency of both qi and yin.
- Cynomorium (Cynomorium songaricum) stem: 220 mg, (Suoyang in TCM). IN TCM this herb is used to tone the yang (treat impotence and backache), strengthen the tendons, and nourish the blood to alleviate the constipation related to blood deficiency
- Horny goat weed using the leaf of Epimedium sagittatum and Epimedium brevicomum: 580 mg. This herb is used to treat yang deficiencies.
- Lindera (Lindera aggregate) root (Wu Yao in TCM): 120 mg. This herb is thought to move qi, alleviate pain, warm the kidney and disperse cold. It especially works in the lower abdomen and is thought to guide herbs to this area.
- Loranthus leaf and stem (Sang Ji Sheng in TCM): 120 mg. This supplement tones the liver and kidney yin and strengthens the sinews and bones.
To make this tea, pour one cup of boiling water over a tea bag. Let the mixture steep for 10-15 minutes. When ready, gently squeeze the tea bag and leave it in the cup while you are drinking. This tea is often consumed before bedtime.
Safety of Horny Goat Weed Tea
This supplement should not be taken in high dosages and should not be taken for long periods of time. Excessive consumption is thought to damage yin and lead to dizziness, vomiting, dry mouth and epistaxis (nosebleed). It may also cause irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure and upset stomach.
Horny goat weed tea may interact with a number of prescription and over-the-counter medications. For instance, it may interact with aspirin, blood thinners, oral contraceptives and antidepressants.
Individuals being treated for immune disorders or thyroid problems should not take horny goat weed. In addition, it should not be taken with medications that lower blood pressure or cholesterol.
Horny goat weed has been observed to slow blood clotting and, as a result, may increase the risk of bleeding. It is not recommended for use if pregnant or breastfeeding. It should also be avoided if being treated for an estrogen-sensitive condition, such as breast or uterine cancer.
Using Horny goat weed tea gives the consumer the option of combining this supplement with other herbs to maintain a yin/yang balance and to further enhance its purported benefits. It has been prepared as a tea for thousands of years and there are many different herbal combinations available.
Be sure to speak with your doctor before consuming horny goat weed tea to make sure it is safe for you.
- Natural Medicines. Horny Goat Weed: Professional Monograph. September 2015.
- Yin XX, Chen ZQ, Liu ZJ, Ma QJ, Dang GT. Icariine stimulates proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblasts by increasing production of bone morphogenetic protein 2. Chin Med J (Engl). 2007 Feb 5;120(3):204-10.
- De Naeyer A, Pocock V, Milligan S, De Keukeleire D. Estrogenic activity of a polyphenolic extract of the leaves of Epimedium brevicornum. Fitoterapia. 2005 Jan;76(1):35-40.
Article last updated on: April 18th, 2018 by Nootriment