Horny Goat Weed has been used as an aphrodisiac for hundreds of years, and research has also proven its effects on improving sexual desire and performance. Its scientific name is Epimedium or Yin Yang Huo in chinese but it is also called as Barrenwort, Bishop's Hat, Fairy Wings, Inyokaku, or Horny Goat Weed. Epimedium is a genus of about 60 or more species of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Berberidaceae.

One of the primary physiological effects of Epimedium is the dilation of blood vessels, allowing hormone-boosted blood to reach sensitive tissues. By expanding the circulatory systems blood vessels, Horny Goat Weed also lowers the blood pressure.

According to Chinese this clears the body from weariness and increases energy level while nervous stimulation is enhanced as the brain is supplied with hormone-enriched blood.

Because of these properties Horney Goat Weed has also been used succesfully to treat coronary heart disease, asthma, bronchitis, and sinusitis.

Although epimedium has been successfully applied in treatments for disorders of the liver, kidneys, joints, knees and back, it was mainly used as an aphrodisiac in Asian medicine. According to legend, this property was discovered by a Chinese goat herdsman who noticed sexual activity in his flock after they consumed the weed. Apparently at this time the plant was crowned with a straightforward nickname: Horney Goat Weed.

Like Viagra, icariin, the active compound in Epimedium, inhibits the activity of PDE-5 allowing enhanced blood circulation in penis tissues. A study found 15 of 20 healthy men responding positively to Horney Goat Weed, and for 7 of the 15 men already on Viagra also had a positive effect from using Horney Goat Weed.

Like many natural herbal aphrodisiacs, Horney Goat Weed has been researched over a long period of time and its benefits have been in use for thousands of years.

While the western world's magic blue pill offers immediate results for impotence symptoms, for Epimedium takes a bit longer to achieve the desired result, but provides longer-lasting benefits. Not to mention that you can leave behind the fear associated with generic drugs.

The mystery of this marvelous herb is still studied by scientists however everybody agrees that epimedium has no harmful influence only positive impact on human health. It's especially effective in curing male impotence but increases female libido too. There are many reasons for men to switch the popular blue pills to the time tested and natural Epimedium. If women will start to use Barrenwort too, at least they won't forget the purpose of the bed other than sleeping.