Testosterone levels in men are dropping globally, along with a consequent drop in libido, and many men are seeking natural solutions to these health problems.
A significant percentage of consumers prefer avoiding pharmaceutical male enhancements like Bluechew, and many consumers consider horny goat weed when looking for a natural sex drive and erectile dysfunction (ED) supplement.
But is horny goat weed proven to enhance sexual function in men? What about in women? Does it cause side effects? And is it better or worse than popular "natural" libido enhancers like maca?
In this article we’ll answer all of these questions and more, as we analyze research studies on horny goat weed to give our take on whether or not it's likely to be effective for improving sex drive and sexual performance in both men and women.
We'll also document our concerns about the safety of popular horny goat weed supplements, explain whether taking it in the morning is more effective, and compare horny goat weed to other popular libido enhancers to pick our winners (and losers).
Key takeaways:
- Very limited human trial results
- Contamination may cause side effects
- We do not currently recommend horny goat weed
Is Horny Goat Weed Proven to Work?
Horny goat weed, botanical name Epimedium, is a plant native to China that has been studied for its effects on sex drive in many clinical trials.
According to a medical review, this herb received its informal name when a Chinese goat herder noticed increased sexual activity in goats after they consumed the plant.
A medical review on horny goat weed published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that the plant improved testosterone levels in animal studies and improved sperm quality.
A 2005 clinical trial found that icariin (the active chemical constituent in horny goat weed) may be effective for improving erection quality in rats, but the results weren’t very conclusive.
Another medical study found that icariin may be effective for ED because it inhibits an enzyme called PDE5, which can increase blood flow to the penis.
This is the same mechanism of action that makes pharmaceutical ED treatments like Viagra and Cialis effective. Those two drugs belong to a class of drugs called PDE5-inhibitors.
The above-linked study was an in vitro study, meaning it was a test tube study, so the results are weaker than a study with human or animal subjects.
One interesting fact about horny goat weed is that there's arguably more significant research suggesting its cardioprotective effects than its benefits to sexual function.
The above-linked medical review published in the Frontiers in Pharmacology journal explains that icariin can mitigate blood vessel dysfunction and inflammation, and that it contains “multiple atheroprotective functions” meaning there are several ways it may benefit blood vessel health.
Overall, we consider horny goat weed to be potentially effective for improving sex drive and erections, but there isn't enough evidence in humans for us to say so conclusively.
The early research on horny goat weed's dominant chemical compound for cardiovascular support is promising.
Is Horny Goat Weed Effective For Women?
Horny goat weed isn’t only used by men. Many women take the supplement to enhance sex drive as well. But is it effective?
The early research doesn't look promising.
A clinical trial published in the Phytotherapy Research journal found that horny goat weed extract can increase estrogen levels in women, but this doesn't necessarily translate to increased sex drive.
The only other clinical trial we could find on horny goat weed supplementation in women was unrelated to sex drive, and found that the chemical compounds derived from the plant may help to prevent bone loss in menopausal women.
We can't locate any clinical evidence that horny goat weed is effective for enhancing sexual function in women.
This doesn't mean it's ineffective, just that it hasn't been tested for this outcome.
Does Horny Goat Weed Cause Side Effects?
Horny goat weed appears to be a safe botanical compound based on the previously-linked medical reviews.
We haven’t come across any research suggesting the herb causes side effects when dosed appropriately, but we also can't find any long-term human trials.
Given that horny goat weed has been used by humans medicinally for thousands of years, we believe it’s likely to be safe for short-term use, but we definitely recommend checking with a doctor prior to using this supplement consistently over long periods of time.
In our opinion, the risk of side effects is greater from product contamination than from the plant itself when it comes to horny goat weed supplements.
Regularly taking a supplement that's high in lead, for example, may cause symptoms of lead toxicity like confusion and irritability.
This is why it's so important for consumers who are set on purchasing a horny goat weed supplement to choose a manufacturer that publishes third-party test results.
When Should I Take Horny Goat Weed?
Consumers are often curious about whether supplement timing matters in regard to horny goat weed.
We haven't come across any clinical evidence that taking horny goat weed at a certain time of the day, or taking it with or without food, makes any difference in its potential efficacy.
Some supplements are more effective on an empty stomach or with food, or at certain times of the day, but horny goat weed doesn't appear to be one of them.
We recommend following the manufacturer's Suggested Use instructions which are typically on the product label.
Horny Goat Weed vs. Popular Libido Boosters
Here's how horny goat weed compares to other popular libido boosters in terms of potential efficacy and safety, in our opinion:
Maca
Maca is clinically shown to enhance sexual desire in both women and men, although results are not fully conclusive (as is the case with horny goat weed).
We consider maca to be a safer choice due to sourcing considerations; it's typically grown in regions like the Andes without the environmental contamination of some of the regions where horny goat weed is grown.
Maca wins from a healthiness and safety perspective.
Winner: Maca
Red Boost
This multi-ingredient supplement is used for increasing libido and enhancing sexual function.
While it contains horny goat weed and other research-backed active ingredients, it also contains two ingredients we consider unhealthy, as we documented in our Red Boost reviews article.
Single-ingredient horny goat weed tea is a safer choice in our opinion.
Winner: Horny Goat Weed
Ashwagandha
Clinically shown to boost libido, and the clinical backing for ashwagandha in humans is more significant than that of horny goat weed.
Ashwagandha wins from a potential efficacy perspective.
Winner: Ashwagandha
Our Clean Men's Health Picks
Illuminate Labs Panax Ginseng Extract is our top erection quality pick.
Panax ginseng was shown in a clinical trial published in The Journal of Urology to increase erectile function scores "significantly" compared to participants taking placebo pills.
MBG Vitamin D3 Potency+ is our top testosterone support pick.
Vitamin D3 supplementation has been clinically shown to increase total testosterone levels by over 25%.
Both of the products recommended in this section are free of ingredients that we consider unhealthy.
