Evidence supporting the use of: Horny goat weed
For the health condition: Testosterone (low)

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Synopsis

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

Horny Goat Weed (Epimedium spp.) has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine as an aphrodisiac and a remedy for various sexual health issues, including low libido and erectile dysfunction. Its use for supporting or treating low testosterone is primarily based on traditional practices rather than robust scientific validation. The active compound, icariin, has shown some potential in animal studies to modulate testosterone levels and improve sexual function, but these effects have not been conclusively demonstrated in well-designed human clinical trials. Most of the available evidence remains preliminary, with a few rodent studies suggesting that Horny Goat Weed may increase testosterone production or activity, possibly by inhibiting the enzyme phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) or by acting as a phytoestrogen. However, there is a lack of high-quality, large-scale human research directly linking Horny Goat Weed supplementation to increased testosterone levels in men. Thus, while its use is justified by tradition and some limited preclinical data, there is insufficient scientific evidence to firmly support claims of efficacy for boosting testosterone. At present, any potential benefit for testosterone is largely extrapolated from traditional uses and animal models rather than validated by rigorous clinical research.

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