Horny goat weed is a herb mostly found in Asian and Mediterranean countries. This herb has been traditionally used as an herbal medicine for over centuries in China.
It is often used to improve men’s sexual life by restoring libido. Even now, in the 21st century, doctors continue to discover its powerful healing properties.
Some people used this herb as a natural alternative to drugs for erectile dysfunction.
How does Horny Goat Weed for ED Work?
A 2008 lab study found that horny goat weed contains a certain compound that helped block the effects of an enzyme responsible for restricting the quantity of blood flow into the penis.
Horny Goat Weed contains an active compound called icariin; this compound appears to act as a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, similar to one of the important elements used in Viagra. (1)
Perhaps, the study indicated that horny goat weed could theoretically work better and has fewer overall side effects than current drugs for erectile dysfunction.
Can Women Take Horny Goat Weed To Improve Sex Drive?
Although this herb is often marketed towards men, it can also be used by women who want to improve sexual desire and performance.
Good blood flow to your sexual organs is an important key to sex for arousal, sexual stimulation, and pleasure, and horny goat weed appears to stimulate the necessary blood flow to the genital area. (2)
This herb contains alkaloids that have a similar effect to testosterone. Although we usually associate testosterone with men, women also produce this hormone, which is the key to human sexuality.
What Is The Daily Recommended Dosage For ED?
The horny goat weed leaves are edible, but the taste is bitter. Some people may think that it’s too bitter to eat.
However, despite the taste, bitter foods are usually healthy and essential to good health. This herb can either be taken as a tablet, capsule, powder or even tea.
There is no fixed time or established dose. However, most experts recommend taking this supplement on an empty stomach and for at least a month before you start to see any result.
Some studies have used doses between 6 grams and 15 grams a day. The optimal dosage for horny goat weed is between 200 mg to 500 mg and should be consumed every day with water. (3)
It is also advised to leave a gap of at least 7 days after taking it consecutively for 30 days. After which the result can be noted and the dosage can be adjusted accordingly.
It is wise to consult a doctor or qualified person before you start taking this herb.
Which Brand of Horny Goat Weed is the Best One to Buy?
You will not likely travel to Asia or the Mediterranean region to pick horny goat weed, but you’ll probably walk to a certain health food store or go online.
It is usually sold in raw herbs, tablets, or capsules and sometimes blended with other supplements such as Maca, Ginseng, or Yohimbe.
Look for supplements that contain approximately 500 mg of horny goat weed per capsule. The best products are the one which is standardized to a flavonoid called icariin.
Try to go for the brand that offers a high quality of icariin Horny goat weed extract.
Health benefits of Horny Goat Weed
Horny goat weed is often used to treat various sexual dysfunctions. However, this herb is also used to treat various conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, bronchitis, and polio.
It helps these conditions by relaxing smooth muscle tissues, increasing blood flow, and enabling your body to create more nitric oxide.
Nitric oxide (NO) can help prevent heart diseases and other cardiovascular disorders by-.
- Increasing blood flow and preventing narrowing
- Preventing fat accumulation in the artery walls
- Keeping the endothelium elastic
How to Make Horny Goat Weed Tea?
If you want to make horny goat weed tea using its leaves, here is a simple step to follow-
- Grind the horny goat weed leaves using either a pepper grinder or a spice grinder
- Weigh out about 1.5 Oz of the crushed leaves and put them in your tea diffuser
- Put the tea diffuser in a mug and add boiling water
- Allow stepping in the boiling water for five minutes (if over-steep the tea will become extra bitter)
- Remove the diffuser; you can add one teaspoon of honey to sweeten if you prefer
How Long Does Goat Weed Take To Work?
Unlike other ED prescription medicines, which usually start working within 15-40 minutes of consumption, horny goat weed may not work right away; it may take a month to experience the positive effects fully. This supplement is needed to take regularly for at least a month.
Many people stop taking prescription medicines because it usually comes with unavoidable side effects and provides an only short-term solution.
Although Horny goat weeds work slow and steadily, it is a long-term solution and has fewer side effects. It works gradually by maintaining adequate nitric oxide and testosterone levels in the body, which are the main key factors for good sexual health.
If you take horny goat regularly for at least a month, it can do wonders for your sexual health and performance.
Horny Goat Weed Side Effects
As long as you are taking it as recommended, it should be safe, but it can come with potential risks when you take a large amount of dose.
Some of the risks include-
- Breathing problems: According to the Mayo Clinic, taking a large amount of this herb can have mild breathing problems. If you start to feel shortness of breath or begin to hyperventilate while taking horny goat weed supplement, discontinue your use of this herb until you consult your healthcare provider for advice to determine the cause of your symptoms.
- Dizziness and vomiting: If you notice unusual dizziness or vomiting after starting supplementation with horny goat weed, stop taking the supplement.
- Thirst and dry mouth: You may also experience excessive thirst and dry mouth occasionally. However, it is not life-threatening side effects. It is always best to stick within the recommended daily doses; the dry mouth can also lead to a problem with tooth decay.