Witnessed by: TCM · Western
Horny goat weed (Epimedium brevicornu), of the Berberidaceae family. Low perennial herb with wiry stems and heart-shaped leaflets; native range: shaded mountain woodland of central and northern China. Globally recognized as yin yang huo (淫羊藿) in Chinese, and epimedium, barrenwort, rowdy lamb herb in English. The part used is leaf (aerial parts). Thin leathery leaflets, faintly aromatic, with a mild pungent-sweet and slightly acrid taste.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
HORNY GOAT WEED
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- Horny goat weed
- Scientific name
- Epimedium brevicornu Maxim.
- Family
- Berberidaceae
Form
- Part used
- leaf (aerial parts)
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- pungent · sweet
- Western
- pungent · aromatic
Temperature
- TCM
- warm
- Western
- warm
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Kidney · Liver
- Western
- kidneys · joints · circulation
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- tonifies Kidney yang, strengthens the sinews and bones, and dispels wind-damp
- Western
- aphrodisiac, tonic, mild vasodilator and bone-strengthening restorative
Cautions
Contraindications: yin deficiency with heat, and irritable over-stimulated states; pregnancy
Toxicity: low; large or prolonged dose may cause dizziness, thirst, nosebleed or over-arousal
Interactions
- Western
- antihypertensives: additive vasodilation and blood-pressure lowering · anticoagulants: possible additive bleeding risk
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