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Hgw4.2

Horny Goat Weed Research

Mostly mechanism / observationalLimited safety

6 peer-reviewed studies

What the evidence says

Mostly mechanism / observational

Most Horny Goat Weed studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.

Most evidence is from medium-quality randomised trials published 2007–2021 with a typical study size of 100 participants.

Based on 6 studies · 2 RCTs · 158 total participants

Confidence

Low

By outcome

Bone healthReduced bone loss in postmenopausal women in a 24-month RCT (icariin/flavonoids) · 6-24 months
Mostly mechanism / observational3 studies
Men's vitalityPopularly used for libido/erectile function, but rigorous human evidence is weak · Variable
Too few graded studies2 studies

Active research area

2 studies in the last 5 years

200720142021

1RCTn=100 · medium study2007

A 24-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found Epimedium-derived flavonoids helped prevent bone loss in late-postmenopausal women.

Zhang G et al. · Journal of bone and mineral research : the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (2007)

Reduced bone loss over 24 months in postmenopausal women
Phytoestrogen flavonoids (icariin)
The strongest human signal is for bone, not ED

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2Systematic ReviewCited 19×2021

A systematic review of ED/testosterone supplement ingredients found horny goat weed among common ingredients with only limited randomized evidence (most ingredients graded C/D).

Kuchakulla M et al. · International journal of impotence research (2021)

Common ED-supplement ingredient but limited RCT support
Most ingredients received C/D evidence grades
Claims outpace human evidence

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3RCTn=58 · small study2021

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial examined Epimedium prenylflavonoids on bone markers in postmenopausal women.

Yong EL et al. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (2021)

Effects on bone-turnover markers in postmenopausal women
Assessed safety and pharmacokinetics
Supports a bone-health rationale

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4Systematic Review2013

A systematic review assessed Herba Epimedii (and its active icariin) in osteoporosis therapy.

Zhai YK et al. · Die Pharmazie (2013)

Bone-strengthening activity of Epimedium/icariin
Mostly preclinical with some clinical data
Reasonable safety profile reported

5Systematic ReviewCited 20×2019

An analysis of popular online erectile-dysfunction supplements found ingredients like horny goat weed widely used but under-supported by rigorous trials.

Balasubramanian A et al. · The journal of sexual medicine (2019)

Widely marketed for ED but under-studied
Quality/dose of commercial products varies
Caution about unproven male-vitality claims

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6Systematic Review2016

An evidence-based systematic review of Epimedium (Yin Yang Huo) summarized its traditional uses and the limited clinical evidence.

Ulbricht CE et al. · Journal of dietary supplements (2016)

Summarizes traditional and emerging uses
Clinical evidence remains limited
Icariin is the key bioactive

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View in Research Library

Horny Goat Weed Research

Mostly mechanism / observational

Epimedium-derived phytoestrogen flavonoids exert beneficial effect on preventing bone loss in late postmenopausal women: a 24-month randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial.

A systematic review and evidence-based analysis of ingredients in popular male testosterone and erectile dysfunction supplements.

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to examine the safety, pharmacokinetics and effects of Epimedium prenylflavonoids, on bone specific alkaline phosphatase and the osteoclast adaptor protein TRAF6 in post-menopausal women.

A systematic review of the efficacy and pharmacological profile of Herba Epimedii in osteoporosis therapy.

An Analysis of Popular Online Erectile Dysfunction Supplements.

An Evidence-Based Systematic Review of Yin Yang Huo (Epimedium spp.) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration.