Icariin 60% Extract Reviews, Dosages and Safety

Icariin 60% extract is reported to be the most effective concentration of this herbal extract available.

Clinical studies indicate that icariin, like all prenylated flavonoids, begins to lose potency beyond a purity of 70%.

Icariin is thought to be the main bioactive constituent of horny goat weed, a traditional supplement also commonly known as yin yang huo or barrenwort. Horny goat weed is derived from up to 15 different plant species from the genus Epimedium.

While there are dozens of species and subspecies contained in Epimedium only about 15 are known to possess medicinal properties, and the majority of these contain icariin. The leaves of these medicinal plants are used to make horny goat weed.

Horny Goat Weed

Herbal Supplement

Libido

Erectile Function

Testo- sterone

How It Works:

• Inhibits PDE-5 enzyme & raises nitric oxide
• Boosts male & female libido
• Supports erectile function & performance

Dosage:

Between 250 - 1000 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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Icariin 60% Extract

Epimedium extract supplements are marketed worldwide, and are available in different strengths.

Many high quality horny goat weed supplements list the concentration of icariin, which can range from ten to 70 percent

At higher purity concentrations, icariin supplements become less stable and their efficacy may decrease. This is why purity concentrations beyond 70 percent are considered less potent than lower concentrations.

Icariin extracts of 60 percent purity are valued above other concentrations because they are thought to strike a balance between purity and molecular stability.

Epimedium extracts, decoctions and tinctures have been used for more than a thousand years in Korea, China and other Asian countries. Traditional uses mainly center on treating sexual dysfunction and low libido.

Horny goat weed is also considered a general health tonic that confers vitality and helps the body’s energy force or qi move unimpeded throughout the body.

Contemporary uses of icariin mainly relate to the compound’s purported ability to improve testosterone levels and ward off chronic mental and physical fatigue.

Icariin 60% Extract Uses

Within conventional Western medicine there is not enough evidence to endorse any particular therapeutic use of icariin, or to support its long list of purported benefits.

In research studies, it has been examined for its effects in the following areas:

• Improve bone density and treat osteoporosis, joint pains and other bone-based disorders;
• Increase the amount of free testosterone in the bloodstream and improve testosterone use;
• Stimulate the release of nitric oxide;
• Induce vasodilation, improve circulation and allow for more efficient blood delivery throughout the body without raising blood pressure;
• Improve mitochondrial energy synthesis and ameliorate conditions like CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome);
• Inhibit the actions of PDE5, allowing for improved blood flow to the penis;
• Stimulate the libido, alleviate symptoms of erectile dysfunction, improve infertility symptoms and increase sexual stamina;
• Reduce symptoms of depression and enhance cognitive function;
• Protect nerves of the central nervous system (CNS), which may help prevent or delay the onset of cognitive disorders.

Research is ongoing to understand the effects of icariin.

Medicinal Properties of Icariin Extracts

Icariin has been observed to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective (heart protecting), hepatoprotective (liver protecting), renoprotective (kidney protecting) and testosterone-increasing effects.

There are two important metabolites of icariin: icaritin and dimethylicaritin. These have both been observed to act as estrogen modulators.

Many of these observations have been based on laboratory or animal studies. As a consequence, further research is required to understand the effect of icariin on the human body.

Safety of Icariin Supplementation

Various horny goat weed supplements containing 60% icariin extracts have been tested. Horny goat weed supplements with 60 mg of icariin are considered likely safe for routine supplementation purposes for as long as 24 consecutive months.

In cases of parenteral (non-oral) administration, the duration should be kept under six months.

When taking horny goat weed dosages between three and 15 g daily, for reasonable periods of time, only mild gastrointestinal disturbances have been reported. Reported side effects have generally passed quickly.

Excessive and prolonged use of horny goat weed or icariin may lead to serious side effects relating to the endocrine, musculoskeletal, neurological, hematologic, cardiovascular, pulmonary and/or immunologic systems.

Warnings and Interactions

Do not use horny goat weed extracts that contain 60% icariin without the express knowledge and consent of your physician, especially if you are taking antihypertensive, anticoagulant, antiplatelet, estrogen or QT interval-prolonging prescription medications.

Icariin supplementation should be avoided if you are pregnant or nursing. Do not take icariin supplements if you scheduled for surgery.

This is not a complete list of warnings. Be sure to speak with your doctor before taking icariin or horny goat weed to make sure the supplement is right for you.

Conclusions

Epimedium extracts are popular natural heath supplements. Users report increases in sexual desire, improvements in various ED symptoms, more mental clarity and increased energy.

These benefits are attributed to the icariin content found within Epimedium or Horny Goat Weed plants. When searching for a horny goat weed supplement, those containing 60% icariin extract are considered to be the highest quality.

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