Evidence supporting the use of: Barrenwort
For the health condition: Menopause

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Barrenwort, also known as Epimedium or "Horny Goat Weed," has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine. It has been used for centuries to address various health concerns, including symptoms associated with menopause such as reduced libido, fatigue, and bone health. Traditional practitioners have valued barrenwort for its purported ability to balance hormones and enhance vitality, which are believed to help alleviate some menopausal symptoms. The active compound most often cited is icariin, which is thought to have mild phytoestrogenic effects, potentially mimicking some actions of estrogen in the body. However, scientific studies specifically investigating barrenwort’s efficacy for menopause are very limited and mostly preclinical. Some animal studies suggest that icariin may support bone health, which is relevant given the increased risk of osteoporosis after menopause. Human data, however, are sparse and insufficient to draw firm conclusions. Overall, while there is a strong traditional rationale for using barrenwort in menopause, rigorous scientific validation is lacking. Its use for menopause remains primarily rooted in tradition, with limited and low-quality evidence from modern research to support its effectiveness or safety for this purpose.

More about barrenwort
More about Menopause

Other ingredients used for Menopause

27-deoxyactein
7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)
8-Prenylnaringenin
Achyranthes
Agnuside
Agrimonia pilosa
Akebia
Alchemilla
Alfalfa
Aloe vera
amaranth
Anemarrhena
anemarrhena asphodeloides
antler
Ashoka
ashwagandha
asparagus
astragalus
atractylodes
atractylone
banyan
barrenwort
bee pollen
bioflavonoids
black cohosh
black currant
black root
black seed
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
calcium
chaste tree
Chinese silkvine
Clary sage
Cnidium
cohosh
cordyceps
Crinum latifolium
Cynomorium
daidzein
damiana
danshen
DHEA
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dioscorea
dog rose
dong quai
dong quai root
durian
eleuthero
elk antler
equol (proprietary)
estrogen
Euryale seed
evening primrose oil
evening primrose oil
fenugreek
Ficus religiosa
fish oil
flaxseed
fo-ti
genistein
genistin
Glycetein
goji berry
hibiscus
HMR lignan
hops
horny goat weed
Hypericum
Indian frankincense
isoflavones
jujube
knotweed
kudzu
Labisia pumila
Lady's Mantle
lemon balm
licorice root
lignans
linden
lingzhi
Loranthus
lotus
Lycium
maca
macaenes
macamides
Marine lipid
Meadow sage
Melatonin
Miroestrol
Montanoa tomentosa
Moringa
Motherwort
Nettle
okra
omega-3 fatty acids
Ophiopogon
ophiopogon root
Phytoestrogens
pollen
Polygonum
pomegranate
Prickly Pear Cactus
Puerain
Pulsatilla
red clover
Rehmannia
rehmannia glutinosa
reishi mushroom
rhubarb
rockweed
Rooibos
root tuber
Rosa laevigata
rose
rose oil
royal jelly
Rubia cordifolia
Rubus
rue
saffron
sage
seaweed
smilax
Soy
soy isoflavones
Soy Protein
soybean
Stone Root
Valerian root
Vervain
Viburnum
vitamin B6
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
Vitex Agnus-Castus
Wild yam
Withanolides
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade

Other health conditions supported by barrenwort

Arthritis
Menopause
Osteoporosis
Pain (general remedies for)
Sex Drive (low)