Horny Goat Weed (Epimedium)

Herb

Epimedium is a genus of traditional medicinal plants marketed for sexual function and bone health. Reviews describe numerous flavonoids and mostly preclinical or preparation-specific findings; they do not establish generic-product equivalence or a dependable human exposure model.

Pharmacokinetic model

A route-level PK model for horny goat weed (epimedium) is being prepared from published data. Dosing references, studies, and documented interactions are below; the app catalog is updated as models are validated.

Key facts

Category
Herb
Suggested cadence
once daily

Research behind this entry

  1. The genus Epimedium: an ethnopharmacological and phytochemical review Ma H, He X, Yang Y, Li M, Hao D, Jia Z · Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2011 DOI

    Review of Epimedium species, traditional uses, chemistry, and pharmacology. The broad genus and diverse flavonoid profiles underscore why findings from one species or constituent cannot define every product.

  2. Standardization and evaluation of botanical mixtures: lessons from a traditional Chinese herb, Epimedium, with oestrogenic properties Yong EL, Wong SP, Shen P, Gong YH, Li J, Hong Y · Novartis Foundation Symposium, 2007 DOI

    Review of the analytical and biological challenges involved in standardizing Epimedium mixtures, including variation among species and constituent profiles. It is not a clinical efficacy trial.

  3. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study Investigating the Safety and Efficacy of a Herbal Formulation on Knee Joint Function in Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis. Li L, Wang Y, Wang S, Zong J, Zhang Z, Zou S, Zhao Z, Cao Y, Liu Z · Journal of integrative and complementary medicine, 2025 DOI

    This citation reports a human clinical study involving a formulation related to Horny Goat Weed (Epimedium), not the isolated identity. The randomized trial evaluated a multi-herb joint formulation containing Epimedium;…

3 published studies referenced in the app, each with a plain-language summary.