Horny goat weed and erectile dysfunction
Most importantly One study looked at rats with injured nerves and nerve cells grown in a lab. The researchers reported that icariin, the active component of horny goat weed, might show positive and promising effects in treating erectile dysfunction (ED) caused by nerve injury.
ED is a common problem affecting men, especially those aged 40-70 years old. At times, men may experience psychological conditions, such as depression or anxiety, that may cause or contribute to ED.
ED has 2 categories:
- Primary ED: Men affected by this rare condition have never been able to have or sustain a penile erection. Furthermore primary ED is often due to a physical abnormality or a psychological cause.
- Secondary ED: This form is typically caused by a physical condition. Causes range from conditions such as diabetes, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and physical injuries. This group of men will likely have had erections in the past.
Certain medications, such as those to treat high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, depression, cancer, and long-term pain, may contribute to the condition. Some of these medications include:
- beta-blockers
- clonidine
- spironolactone
- thiazide diuretics
- alcohol and drugs such as cocaine
- opioids
- SSRI and tricyclic antidepressants
- anxiolytics
- monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
- amphetamines
- 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors
- anticholinergics
- cimetidine
- hormonal therapies
- Osteoporosis. Taking a specific extract of horny goat weed for 24 months in combination with calcium supplements decreases bone loss of the spine and hip in women who have passed menopause better than taking calcium alone. Chemicals in the extract act somewhat like the hormoneestrogen.
- Postmenopausal conditions.Taking horny goat weed water extract for 6 months can decrease cholesterol and increase estrogen levels in postmenopausal women.
- Bronchitis.
- It similarly helps Ejaculation problems.
- Erectile dysfunction (ED).
- Fatigue.
- Additionally it helps Heart disease.
- High blood pressure.
- HIV/AIDS.
- In the same vein it alleviates Joint pain.
- Liver disease.
- Memory loss.
- Most importantly it aids people with Sexual problems.
- Other conditions.
However More evidence is needed to rate horny goat weed for these uses.