As we have mentioned numerous times before, in many of our other herb articles, herbology can sometimes be a little overwhelming.
There are hundreds upon hundreds of different herbs out there, all with different uses and benefits. Of course, some are fine for human use, but others are not so fine (in fact, many of them are pretty deadly).
In today’s article, we are going to be exploring one of the lesser-known herbs – Horny Goat Weed! We will be exploring what it is, the history of it, the uses and benefits, and any side effects you should bear in mind.
So, if you want to expand your herbology knowledge, or just find out more about the interestingly named Horny Goat Weed and what it can do for you, this might just be the perfect article for you!
What is Horny Goat Weed?
Horny Goat Weed is also known by a variety of other names. The technical, Latin name for this plant is Epimedium.
This is the name of the Genus but it is known by a plethora of other weird and wonderful names in different places around the world.
Of course, Horny Goat Weed is a particularly interesting moniker, but there are some others that are worth noting, too.
There is a Chinese name for it which is 淫羊藿 (yin yang huo), as well as some other nicknames that may give you quite the chuckle. For some people, it is simply known as barrenwort.
However, other people may refer to this as Bishop’s Hat (or Cap), Fairy Wings, Rowdy Lamb Herb, and Randy Beef grass. It has even been referred to as ‘Brain Tonic of the Immortals’!
Whatever you wish to call it is your choice of course, and it will still be the same herb, no matter what one of these names you use for it. So, what exactly is Horny Goat Weed (can you tell this is our favorite name of them all?)?
Horny goat weed as you know is the genus known as Epimedium. It belongs to the larger family known as Berberidaceae which includes several other perennial herbs.
The genus Epimedium is endemic to China, but can also be found in areas of the Mediterranean and other places in Asia.
That being said, many variants of the species are known to grow successfully in the West – and trust us when we say there are many species variants!
As we have mentioned, the Horny Goat Weed plant is a perennial. It is also evergreen, meaning it remains green through more than just one growing season – sometimes all year! They are also hardy and deciduous.
This means they can deal with adverse climate conditions, and that they lose leaves, flowers, or fruit at certain periods of the year (such as when leaves fall from trees in the fall months).
The growth and appearance of the Horny Goat Weed may vary depending on the exact species, however, there are some characteristics that you can look out for.
Some of them may grow with just one stem. However, you may find that others grow tufted with multiple stems. Some stems produce many leaves, whereas others produce only one.
There are also flowers on this plant in the form of an inflorescence. This is the name given to a cluster of flowers arranged together on one stem.
This is either in the form of an open raceme or a panicle. The color of the flowers varies greatly depending on the species variant but can be white, yellow, bright pink, red, purple, and many other shades.
It is often used as a herb for a variety of reasons which we will come onto later. As well as this, it may be grown for aesthetic purposes thanks to its brightly colored flowers.
What is the history of Horny Goat Weed?
Not much is known about the history of the Horny Goat Weed plant. The first little slice of history we want to draw your attention to, though, is the fact that its very name (at least the Latin name of the genus) is a direct reference to how the plant was a mystery to the people who identified it.
In 1753, Carl Linneus, a botanist and taxonomist called it Epimedium. This is a name that has been derived from the Greek phrase meaning ‘an unidentifiable plant’.
This is the historical term given in the Natural History book by Pliny for any plant that cannot be identified.
As a herb and flower, it has been thought to have been used in Japan for centuries.
It has been well known for its supposed medicinal benefits, and though this is widely debated in modern times thanks to the introduction of modern medicine, throughout history it was deemed as a powerful medicinal herbal medicine.
It was also hugely popular as a decorative plant in areas of Asia where it was planted in Japanese gardens.
This is perhaps because it is very colorful when in flower, and because of the different shades of color given by different varieties.
Horny Goat Weed in mythology
As we mentioned, there is not much known about the use of Horny Goat Weed historically. However, there are a few rather interesting tidbits of information we’d like to share!
According to legend, the nickname ‘Horny Goat Weed’ came about when a farmer noticed that his herds of goats were more sexually active upon eating some of this plant.
As you know, other names involving sheep and cows have also been thrown around in relation to this herb, and so it seems that it was first discovered for its potency in animals before becoming used as a medicine for humans.
The Chinese name for the herb – Yin Yang Huo is also an interesting mythological reference in the sense that it relates to the theory of yin and yang in Asian cultures.
This is all about balance, the difference between light and dark, and masculine and feminine. It is this reference to the masculine and feminine that is interesting since the main use of Horny Goat Weed is as a sexual libido enhancing herb.
Some people also use the plant as a representative of sexual energy. For example, they may use it to correspond to gods and goddesses associated with sex such as Aphrodite.
They may use it in offerings when honoring deities with the same or similar associations, as well as in association with fertility.
People who follow beliefs such as Wicca and witchcraft may well use Horny Goat Weed in a variety of their practices for a representation of fertility, sexuality, and more.
What is Horny Goat Weed used for?
So, now we’re onto the nitty-gritty! What on earth do people use Horny Goat Weed for? Well, if you hadn’t already guessed, the main reason people use Horby Goat Weed is sexual! It is historically thought to be the perfect herb for enhancing sexual libido.
Of course, we will be exploring the benefits of Horny Goat Weed right at the end of the article, but as you can probably guess since this is the main benefit, the use of it is mainly something to be consumed by humans for its supposed medicinal purposes.
In terms of the different ways, you can use it, for medicinal purposes you can take horny goat weed in a number of different forms.
It is sold over the counter and can be bought in tea format, powder format, capsule format, and tablet format, meaning there is a method of taking it to suit everyone.
So, is it used in any other way? Of course it is! We’re not all a bunch of horny goats, you know! Horny Goat Weed is actually a plant that is often used for decoration.
It is used in gardens and is desirable because of the fact it is a hardy perennial. Many of the varieties are also evergreen, meaning it is an ideal plant to include when you want to ensure your garden has some plants alive during all seasons.
It has always been used in Japan and China, but it has recently made its way to the West where it is seen as a desirable plant because of the fact it can grow in the shade!
This makes it an excellent choice for gardens that don’t get much sun! It flowers beautifully, and even without flowers, the leaves and foliage are still impressive and decorative.
Can you cook with Horny Goat Weed?
Cooking with Horny Goat Weed is possible, but it is not typically the way that most people use it.
Because it is made available in tablet, capsule, powder, or tea format, there is not much chance of being able to cook with it.
Your best bet, if you wanted to integrate your use of Horny Goat Weed into food would be to use the powder version of it and put it into smoothies, shakes, yogurts, or cereals.
This would be an easy way of intaking the supplement.
Of course, since it is available as a tea, you may well be able to figure out some tea recipes with it, such as a Horny Goat Weed iced tea.
However, in general, it is not used as a cooking ingredient in the same way as other herbs.
What are the benefits of using Horny Goat Weed?
The benefits of using horny goat weed have mainly been related to the improvement of sexual libido and sexual dysfunction but it is possible that it may also be helpful for other conditions.
Here is a list of everything that Horny Goat Weed is thought to benefit:
- Sexual dysfunction
- Erectile dysfunction
- Improving libido
- High blood pressure
- Hardening of the arteries
- Hay fever
- Fatigue
- Brain injury
- Menopause symptoms
- Menstrual issues
- Osteoporosis
Of course, as it is a form of alternative herbal medicine you should seek advice from a doctor first.
This is especially true if you believe you are suffering from any illnesses or conditions as a doctor would need to assess you first.
What are the side effects of using Horny Goat Weed?
As with any medicine, herbal or otherwise, there are some side effects and adverse reactions that can occur, especially if you take more than your body can handle.
The difficulty with this is the fact that there are no real recommended dosages since this is not a medicine that has been formulated by modern medical standards.
There is not much in the way of research done on it, and so it is tough to judge how much is needed.
As such you need to keep these things in mind before you take it and keep this section of the article handy when you have taken it, just in case you do start to feel different and want to double check.
Generally, side effects when using horny goat weed supplements are rare, especially when taken in small doses each day. Even then, the side effects are relatively minor.
Always, always follow what is said on the packet and consult a doctor for advice if you are unsure.
It may actually take a month to start seeing any positive results, whereas the following side effects can happen immediately.
You may experience nosebleeds, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, spasms, and breathing issues, these are all side effects that have been recorded before and may vary in seriousness from person to person.
As such, if you do experience any of these symptoms, monitor them closely and halt the use of horny goat weed until you seek medical advice.
As well as these side effects, there are also groups of people who should not use horny goat weed. These are people with heart disease and cancer, especially cancer that is sensitive to hormones such as breast cancer.
Always consult a doctor before taking any herbal supplements if you are on treatment for any health issue.
It may also interact with other medications and supplements and has been known to cause reactions to varying degrees. These medications are:
- Blood-thinning medications
- Medication for an irregular heartbeat
- Medication for high blood pressure
- The herbal medicine called ginkgo
- Congestive heart disease medication
As well as these, you should also take care when using Horny Goat Weed with any other medications, as well as any illnesses and conditions that you may have.
