Epimedium, Yin Yang Huo 淫羊藿

'Horny Goat Weed', Epimedium
Yin Yang Huo (TCM)
Epimedium koreanum
Photos by Dalgial

European E. alpinum is very similar in appearance to the Chinese varieties.
Flora von Deutschland (12), Kohler, 1883
Botanical name:
Epimedium spp.
Several species are used:
  1. E. brevicornum
  2. E. sagittatum
  3. E. pubescens
  4. E. koreanum
There are several species in the West which may have similar properties including the above-pictured E. alpinum.

Parts used:
Herb

Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Pungent, Sweet

Classifications:
N. Yang Tonic

Uses:
1. Strengthen Kidneys, Tonifies Yang:
-Impotence, Infertility, lower back pain, weakness of the knees
-urinary frequency, nocturnal urination
-forgetfulness, withdrawal, menopausal symptoms
-Male infertility from Yang deficiency, Female Infertility due to Yin deficiency (Da Ming)
-increases strength and invigorates Willpower. (Shen Nong Ben Cao)
-strengthens Vital Essence (Li Shi Zhen)

2. Clears Wind-Cold-Damp, Opens Obstructions:
-painful obstruction of the muscles or joints
-cramps or spasms in the hands, feet, joints
-numbness of the extremities; hemiplegia

DOSE:
In Decoction: 3–9 grams
Of the Powder: 500mg–2 grams

PREPARATION:
1. Dry-fried Epimedium Yin Yang Huo:
  Leaves can be dry-fried; this increases its Yang tonifying effect and helps expel Wind-Damp.
2. Wine-prepared Epimedium Yin Yang Huo:
  Soaking the leaves in wine, then stir-frying increases the effect against Wind-Damp painful obstruction.
Some older texts stated it was stronger when prepared with wine.
3. Fat-fried Epimedium Yin Yang Huo:
  An old method of treatment was to fry 600 grams of Epimedium Yin Yang Huo with 120 grams of sheep fat until the fat is exhausted. (Lei Xiao)

NOTE:
There are some European varieties that are similar in appearance to the Chinese varieties. A number of different species supply the Chinese market making it more likely that the medicinal effects are endemic to the genus. The European types were occasionally used in medicine, but were generally regarded as Cool. Nevertheless, some of their functions, especially in the treatment of female complaints suggests a possible similar hormonal effect. It remains to be seen if the East and West varieties share similar functions

Main Combinations:
1. Impotence:
i. Epimedium Yin Yang Huo with Curculigo Xian Mao
ii. Epimedium Yin Yang Huo with Maca, Tribulus, Nettle root
iii. Epimedium Yin Yang Huo with Yohimbine, Rehmannia Shu Di Huang and Shilajit
iv. Epimedium Yin Yang Huo with Rehmannia Shu Di Huang and Turtle Shell Gui Ban
2. Chronic lower back pain from Kidney weakness:
i. Osteoarthritis and lower back pain, Epimedium Yin Yang Huo with Cibotium Gou Ji, Dipsacus Xu Duan, Rehmannia Shu Di Huang, Costus (Mu Xiang), Olibanum (Ru Xiang), Myrrh (Mo Yao) (as in Zhuang Gu Guan Jie Wan)
ii. Kidney weakness with Impotence and chronic Lower Back Pain, Epimedium Yin Yang Huo with Cordyceps, Eucommia Du Zhong and Cistanches Rou Cong Rong
3. Menopause, Epimedium Yin Yang Huo with Curculiginis Xian Mao, Phellodendron Huang Bai, Angelica Dang Gui (as in Er Xian Tang)
4. Paralysis and painful obstruction of the extremities, Epimedium Yin Yang Huo with Mistletoe Sang Ji Sheng

Major Formulas:
Er Xian Tang
Wen Yang Bu Gan Jian
Zhuang Gu Guan Jie Wan


Cautions:
1. Fire from Yin deficiency
2. Should not be used in full doses over a long period of time
3. Side effects may include dry mouth, nausea, dizziness, nose-bleeding and abdominal distention

Main Preparations used:

Of European Barrenwort (E. alpinium and others):

Paulus Aegineta, 7th Century

'Epimedium, Barrenwort: its powers are moderately refrigerant, with a watery humidity. When applied in the form of a Cataplasm it preserves the Breasts in a right state. It is also said to prevent conception when taken in a draught'. (The Seven Books of Paulus Aeginata, 1847)

Botanologia, Salmon, 1710:

'... appropriated to the Joints.
'... Parkinson says, it is without any special property, more than to keep Womens Breasts from growing over great.

'The Virtues.
IX. The Juice. Whether it is taken out of the Roots or Leaves, it is good to cool Inflammations, and is profitable to bath with in an Erysipelas.
X. The Powder. It may be made of the Roots or Leaves, for of either the Virtue is the same, tho if made of the Root it is thought to be stronger; Parkinson says it is reported, that being taken inwardly for some time, it makes Women Barren: from whence possibly the Name
might come.
XI. The Cataplasm. The Leaves made into a Poultice, by beating them up with Oil, and applied to Womens Breasts, keeps them from growing great; and is good to discusses a slight Contusion.'

The Family Herbal, John Hill, 1812:

'The people in the north give milk in which the roots have been boiled, to the females of the domestic animals when they are running after the males, and they say it has the certain effect of stopping the natural emotions. Plain sense leads these sort of people to many things. They have from this been taught to give it to young women of robust habits, subject to violent hysteric complaints, and I am assured with great success; they give the decoction of the root made strong and sweetened. 'Twas a coarse allusion that led them to the practice, but it succeeds in cases that foil all the parade of common practice. It is said that, if they take it in too large quantity, it renders them stupid for some hours, but no ill consequence has attended this'.