This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
How does Yin Yang Huo work for erectile dysfunction?
Yin Yang Huo contains icariin, a flavonoid that inhibits phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5), the same enzyme targeted by sildenafil (Viagra). This mechanism increases cyclic GMP levels, promoting smooth muscle relaxation and improved blood flow to erectile tissue. Icariin also demonstrates weak androgenic activity and may support testosterone pathways. Additionally, the herb shows antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. Evidence Level: C (preclinical studies support this mechanism, but human clinical trials remain limited).
Does Yin Yang Huo interact with any medications?
Yin Yang Huo may interact with several medication classes. Due to its PDE-5 inhibitory activity, it should not be combined with nitrates or alpha-blockers, as this combination can cause dangerous blood pressure drops. Its hormonal effects warrant caution with hormone therapies, contraceptives, or hormone-sensitive cancer treatments. The herb may potentiate anticoagulants and antihypertensives. Patients on cardiac medications should avoid high doses due to potential tachycardia. Always consult a healthcare provider before combining with prescription medications.
What is the recommended dosage for Yin Yang Huo?
Traditional dosage is 6–15 grams of dried herb daily, prepared as a decoction. For standardized extracts, 500 mg daily containing approximately 10% icariin is commonly used. Dosage should be divided throughout the day and taken with food to reduce gastrointestinal upset. Higher doses increase risk of tachycardia and dizziness. Long-term safety data is limited, so cyclic use (8–12 weeks followed by a break) is often recommended. Evidence Level: C (based on traditional use and preclinical extrapolation).
Is Yin Yang Huo safe to take during pregnancy?
Yin Yang Huo is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The herb's active compounds, particularly icariin, exert hormonal effects that may disrupt normal pregnancy development. Traditional Chinese Medicine classifies it as a warming kidney yang tonic unsuitable during pregnancy. Animal studies suggest potential effects on reproductive hormones and fetal development. Women attempting conception should also avoid this herb. Evidence Level: C (based on traditional contraindication and theoretical pharmacological risks). Consult a qualified practitioner for pregnancy-safe alternatives.
What is Yin Yang Huo used for in Traditional Chinese Medicine?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yin Yang Huo is classified as a kidney yang tonic used to warm and strengthen kidney yang deficiency patterns. Traditional indications include impotence, low libido, frequent urination, cold extremities, and musculoskeletal weakness or pain in the lower back and knees. It is also used for wind-cold-damp bi syndrome affecting joints. The herb is typically combined with other kidney yang tonics in formulas rather than used alone. Evidence Level: Traditional use supported by modern research on PDE-5 inhibition and bone health.
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 29 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Yin Yang Huo (Epimedium koreanum), also known as Horny Goat Weed, is a traditional herb used primarily as a kidney tonic and aphrodisiac [PMID:37544344, PMID:35998248].
Background
Epimedium koreanum Nakai (E. koreanum) is a member of the Berberidaceae family, characterized as a low-growing plant with leathery leaves found in wetlands [PMID:37544344, PMID:35998248].
Traditional uses
It has been used for thousands of years to treat renal yang deficiency, impotence, spermatorrhea, weakness of tendons and bones, rheumatic paralysis, discomfort, numbness, constriction, erectile dysfunction, infertility, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and asthma [PMID:37544344, PMID:35998248].
Active compounds
Major bioactive components include prenyl-flavonoids [PMID:21215308], specifically icariin, icaritin, and icariside II [PMID:27445824]. E. koreanum specifically contains hydroxybenzoic acids, lignans, and flavonoid glycosides [PMID:27916587], including new prenylflavonoid glycosides such as koreanoside H-K [PMID:35369967].
Mechanism of action
Icariin modulates bone remodeling by activating Wnt/β-catenin and PI3K/Akt signaling to promote osteoblast differentiation while suppressing RANKL-mediated NF-κB activation to inhibit osteoclastogenesis [PMID:42193945]. It may treat osteoarthritis via the PPAR signaling pathway and arachidonic acid metabolism [PMID:40873547]. Antiviral effects are achieved by inducing type I IFN and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion [PMID:25609307] and blocking viral attachment by inhibiting hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) [PMID:34965505]. Hepatoprotective effects occur via activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) [PMID:29433393].
Clinical evidence
Evidence AOsteoporosis
Icariin significantly increased bone mineral density in the femur and lumbar spine and lowered bone turnover markers in ovariectomized rats [PMID:29208188].
Evidence DInfluenza A Virus
Aqueous extract of E. koreanum decreased GFP expression by up to 90% and inhibited viral protein expression in a dose-dependent manner [PMID:34965505].
Evidence DMultiple Myeloma
Epimedokoreanin B exhibited potent cytotoxicity against U266 and RPMI-8226 cell lines by stabilizing G4 structures of oncogenes like c-Myc and Bcl-2 [PMID:40814289].
Evidence DAlzheimer's Disease
Icariside II promoted hippocampal neurogenesis and alleviated mitochondrial dysfunction in APP/PS1 mice [PMID:40351431].
Safety & adverse effects
While some reports suggest oral forms are not linked to liver injury [PMID:35998248], other research indicates that E. koreanum ethanol extract may have significant hepatotoxicity, causing increased liver weight and elevated AST, ALP, and TBIL in rats [PMID:35910368]. However, water extracts have been shown to be non-genotoxic [PMID:27916587].
Drug interactions
Ethanol extract of E. koreanum showed direct inhibitory potency for cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP1A2 and CYP2B6 [PMID:28653752].
Evidence summary
Evidence is strongest (Level A) for anti-osteoporotic effects in animal models via meta-analysis. Most other evidence is preclinical (Level D), consisting of in vitro and in vivo animal studies regarding antiviral, anti-cancer, and neuroprotective activities.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 35998248 (2012) — Botanicals and Their Bioactive Phytochemicals for Women's Health. · Pharmacological reviews
2.PMID: 37544344 (2024) — A systematic review of traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicity of Epimedium koreanum Nakai. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
3.PMID: 27916587 (2017) — Genetic toxicity of Epimedium koreanum Nakai. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
4.PMID: 35910368 (2022) — Epimedium koreanum Nakai-Induced Liver Injury-A Mechanistic Study Using Untargeted Metabolomics. · Frontiers in pharmacology
5.PMID: 40873547 (2025) — Progress in the application of epimedium and its major bioactive components in the treatment of orthopedic diseases. · Frontiers in pharmacology
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
6.PMID: 34965505 (2022) — Antiviral activity of Epimedium koreanum Nakai water extract against influenza viruses. · Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
7.PMID: 35369967 (2022) — New anti-pulmonary fibrosis prenylflavonoid glycosides from Epimedium koreanum. · Chinese journal of natural medicines
8.PMID: 21215308 (2011) — The genus Epimedium: an ethnopharmacological and phytochemical review. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
9.PMID: 27445824 (2016) — Anti-Cancer Properties of the Naturally Occurring Aphrodisiacs: Icariin and Its Derivatives. · Frontiers in pharmacology
10.PMID: 28653752 (2017) — The potential of Epimedium koreanum Nakai for herb-drug interaction. · The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
11.PMID: 29075193 (2017) — Icariin, an Anti-atherosclerotic Drug from Chinese Medicinal Herb Horny Goat Weed. · Frontiers in pharmacology
12.PMID: 30342950 (2019) — An outline for the pharmacological effect of icariin in the nervous system. · European journal of pharmacology
13.PMID: 29157003 (2018) — Chemical constituents from Epimedium koreanum Nakai and their chemotaxonomic significance. · Natural product research
14.PMID: 27589718 (2016) — Icariin Metabolism by Human Intestinal Microflora. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
15.PMID: 31036522 (2019) — An Analysis of Popular Online Erectile Dysfunction Supplements. · The journal of sexual medicine
16.PMID: 37660280 (2024) — Two new prenylated flavonol glycosides from Epimedium koreanum Nakai leaves and their anti-pulmonary fibrosis activities. · Natural product research
17.PMID: 40351431 (2025) — The active metabolite of Epimedii Folium promotes hippocampal neurogenesis in APP/PS1 mice by alleviating mitochondrial dysfunction. · Frontiers in pharmacology
18.PMID: 33953788 (2021) — Antiplatelet and Antithrombotic Effects of Epimedium koreanum Nakai. · Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
19.PMID: 38790157 (2024) — Transcriptome Analysis on the Quality of Epimedium koreanum in Different Soil Moisture Conditions at Harvesting Stage. · Genes
20.PMID: 31109081 (2019) — Epimedium koreanum Extract and Its Flavonoids Reduced Atherosclerotic Risk via Suppressing Modification of Human HDL. · Nutrients
21.PMID: 30663372 (2020) — Flavonoids from the leaves of Epimedium Koreanum Nakai and their potential cytotoxic activities. · Natural product research
22.PMID: 40814289 (2025) — Directly targeting G-quadruplexes contributes to the anti-multiple myeloma efficacy of Epimedokoreanin B. · Acta biochimica et biophysica Sinica
23.PMID: 24716161 (2013) — Herbal treatment for osteoporosis: a current review. · Journal of traditional and complementary medicine
24.PMID: 42193945 (2026) — Plant-Derived Bioactive Ingredients for Osteoporosis and Bone Regeneration: Mechanisms, Pharmacology, and Delivery Strategies. · Cells
25.PMID: 29433393 (2018) — Epimedium koreanum Ameliorates Oxidative Stress-Mediated Liver Injury by Activating Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2. · The American journal of Chinese medicine
26.PMID: 25609307 (2015) — Epimedium koreanum Nakai displays broad spectrum of antiviral activity in vitro and in vivo by inducing cellular antiviral state. · Viruses
27.PMID: 29208188 (2017) — The antiosteoporosis effect of icariin in ovariectomized rats: a systematic review and meta-analysis. · Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)