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| The Chinese consider horny goat weed the premier libido-lifter for men and women, and top aid to erectile function in men. The Chinese call the herb Yin Yang Huo. In research it is referred to as epimedium. As legend goes, in 200 BC a Chinese goat herder noticed that his goats became sexually active after eating the plant that became known as horny goat weed. Why goats? It seems that goats were the only animals tenacious enough to eat through the spiny prickles.
Chinese researchers observed that extracts of horny goat weed appeared to have a testosterone-like effect on the testes, prostate gland and levator ani muscle on the underside of the penis. The levator ani muscle when well toned, as when stimulated from testosterone, will help create and maintain erection, increase the force of ejaculation, and relieve premature emission.
In 1990, researchers (Chen, et al.) discovered that horny goat weed might have monoamine oxidase-inhibiting activity, meaning it inhibits the degradation of certain brain chemicals such as dopamine. In trials, the researchers showed that levels of noradrenaline, adrenaline, serotonin and dopamine levels were all elevated in animals given horny goat weed. Higher levels of dopamine in particular may help to explain the pro-sexual effect of horny goat weed. High dopamine levels encourage the release of leutenizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland. LH in turn stimulates the testes to produce more testosterone.
Another interesting finding regarding epimedium is that it seems to heighten the sensitivity of nerve endings in the skin.
Copyright (c) 2001 by Chip Engelmann
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