Horny goat weed is an herb that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries as a tonic, aphrodisiac, and antirheumatic agent. It is also known as Epimedium, yin yang huo, and barrenwort. While there is limited scientific evidence to support its health benefits, some people use horny goat weed for the following purposes:

• Erectile dysfunction: Some men take horny goat weed as a natural alternative to drugs for erectile dysfunction (ED). Epimedium, the suspected active component of horny goat weed, appears to increase blood flow and improve sexual function, or act as a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, similar to some drugs used for ED.

• Low libido: Horny goat weed contains chemicals that might help increase blood flow and improve sexual function.

• Weak and brittle bones: Some people use horny goat weed to treat osteoporosis.

• Other conditions: Horny goat weed has been used to treat hay fever, fatigue, pain, and other health problems.

It is important to note that there is no good scientific evidence to support any of these uses. While horny goat weed is generally well-tolerated, some types of horny goat weed are possibly unsafe when used for a long period of time or in high doses. Serious side effects including severe breathing problems have been reported. Therefore, it is recommended to speak to a doctor before taking horny goat weed or any other herbal supplements.