What is Epimedium ?

Herba epimedii (Epimedium, also called bishop's hat, horny goat weed or yin yang huo), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been widely used as a kidney tonic and antirheumatic medicine for thousands of years. It is a genus of about 60 flowering herbs, cultivated as a ground cover plant and an aphrodisiac. The bioactive components in herba epimedii are mainly prenylated flavonol glycosides, end-products of the flavonoid pathway. Epimedium species are also used as garden plants due to the colorful flowers and leaves. Most of them bloom in the early spring, and the leaves of some species change colors in the fall, while other species retain their leaves year round.

Epimedium Raw Material

The herbs we used to extract icariin is one species of Epimedium, which name is Epimedium brevicornum Maxim. This kind of epimedium only can be abundantly found in Gansu province of China. And because of the growth habit of this kind of herb, which only grows under trees, it can't to be planted, only can harvest the wild one.

This wild epimedium contains quite a bit of active components, depending on its long growth time and rich nutrient. Usually the content of the icariin is not lower than 1%.

Below photo is the herb specimen which we use. Picking in the epimedium full-bloom stage. And the medicinal value of the herb is the best at this time. The herb we select contains roots, stems, leaves and flowers. And we extract with the whole herb.

Epimedium Extract

Epimedium extract is a herbal supplement claimed to be beneficial for the treatment of sexual problems such as impotence. It is believed to contain a number of active components, including plant compounds that may have antioxidant activity and estrogen-like compounds. The major components of Epimedium brevicornum are icariin, epimedium B and epimedium C. It is reported to have anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and anti-tumor effects. It is also reported to have potential effects on the management of erectile dysfunction.