Epimedium

Epimedium
Epimedium × versicolor
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Berberidaceae
Genus: Epimedium
L.[1]
Type species
Epimedium alpinum
Synonyms[2]
Epimedium
Chinese淫羊藿
Literal meaning"lascivious goat huo"
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyinyín yáng huò
IPA[ǐn jǎŋ xwô]
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationYàhm yèuhng fok
JyutpingJam4 joeng4 fok3
IPA[jɐm˩ jœŋ˩ fɔk̚˧]

Epimedium, also known as barrenwort, bishop's hat, fairy wings, horny goat weed, or yin yang huo (Chinese: 淫羊藿; pinyin: Yínyánghùo; Wade–Giles: Yin²-yang²-huo⁴), is a genus of flowering plants in the family Berberidaceae. The majority of the species are endemic to China, with smaller numbers elsewhere in Asia, and a few in the Mediterranean region.[2]

Epimedium species are deciduous or evergreen hardy perennials. The majority have four-parted "spider-like" flowers in spring.

The species used as a dietary supplement is Epimedium grandiflorum. It contains icariin, which is a weak PDE5 inhibitor, in vitro. Its clinical effects are unknown. While there is little clinical evidence to date, as sildenafil, vardenafil, and tadalafil – sold under the brand names Viagra, Levitra and Cialis – are all based on (stronger) PDE5 inhibitory action, it is thought to have erectogenic properties and is found in some men's sexual health supplements.[3]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference IPNI was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference FoC was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Shindel, Alan W.; Xin, Zhong-Chen; Lin, Guiting; Fandel, Thomas M.; Huang, Yun-Ching; Banie, Lia; Breyer, Benjamin N.; Garcia, Maurice M.; Lin, Ching-Shwun; Lue, Tom F. (April 2010). "Erectogenic and Neurotrophic Effects of Icariin, a Purified Extract of Horny Goat Weed (Epimedium spp.) In Vitro and In Vivo". The Journal of Sexual Medicine. 7 (4 Pt 1): 1518–1528. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01699.x. ISSN 1743-6095. PMC 3551978. PMID 20141584.