Legends of men consuming this herb as an aphrodisiac date back to ancient China

Epimedium madjun is a powerful dietary supplement for increasing libido in men. However, it is also used in some classic pre-workout stimulants because of its “pumping” effect. It is precisely because of this effect that epimedium can also be found on the shelves of some gyms. In fact, I first became acquainted with epimedium at the bar of a famous fitness center in the capital.

Whatever the name of the product I am discussing, we should know that its key herb should be the epimedium plant. It is a genus of flowering plants comprising more than fifty different species. Most of these plants are perennials found mainly in remote parts of China and East Asian countries. However, not all species of this plant contain the active ingredient responsible for epimedium’s libido-enhancing and other effects. In fact, only about 15 species of this plant can be used for this purpose.

The most valuable part of the epimedium plant is found in its leaves! How does it work?

They contain the libido-enhancing compound known as icariin. Specialists familiar with this plant say that almost all the benefits of taking epimedium are due to icariin. It works in the body in several ways.

Here’s how:

1. Icariin inhibits the action of an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), which affects cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in the blood vessels that supply the male sexual organ with blood.
2. Icariin also affects bioactive nitric oxide levels, and some scientists say that it mimics the effect of testosterone on the body.
3. Icariin also has antioxidant and neuroprotective effects, although most of these benefits have been confirmed in vitro rather than through direct studies on patients.

Epimedium reviews based on personal experience: Absorption of the active ingredient is greatest when taken on an empty stomach with plenty of fluids. The so-called half-life of icariin in the body when taken orally is between 9 and 12 hours. This means that a dietary supplement containing the active ingredient should be taken twice daily, at twelve-hour intervals.

Epimedium in Chinese medicine

Legends of epimedium’s powerful aphrodisiac effects date back to ancient China. It is said that goatherds noticed a sudden increase in the goats’ sexual activity while grazing. In fact, this happened when they consumed wild epimedium. Since then, epimedium has also been used as a sexual stimulant.