Horny Goat Weed (Epimedium grandiflorum)

Horny Goat Weed is a herb (Epimedium) that is known for being an aphrodisiac and touted as a testosterone booster. It derives its layman names from goats and sheep who acted a bit more frisky after consuming Epimedium that grew near their fields.

It is also sometimes referred to by its active ingredient, Icariin. Icariin is known as a prenylated flavonoid compound and has been shown to exert much of the aphrodisiac effects of Horny Goat Weed. It has also been shown in one rat study to increase testosterone levels at a rather high dose, and moderate dosages are shown to be beneficial for bone health.

Icariin has not been shown to increase testosterone in females, yet two other compounds in Horny Goat Weed (Icaritin, Desmethylicaritin) have actually increased estrogen in post-menopausal females. The herb acts as an aphrodisiac in both genders, and the gender-specific hormone increasing could be beneficial for both genders.