[Latin Name] Epimedium sagittatnm Maxim

[Plant Source] Leaf

[Specification] Icariin 10% 20% 40% 50%

[Appearance] Light yellow fine powder

Plant Part Used: Leaf

[Particle size]80Mesh

[Loss on drying] ≤5.0%

[Heavy Metal] ≤10PPM

[Pesticide residue] EC396-2005, USP 34, EP 8.0, FDA

[Storage] Store in cool & dry area, keep away from the direct light and heat.

[Shelf life] 24 Months

[Package] Packed in paper-drums and two plastic-bags inside.

[Net weight] 25kgs/drum

[What is Epimedium?]

Epimedium extract is a popular aphrodisiac supplement and herbal sexual performance enhancer.It has a long history of traditional use in China for the alleviation of erectile dysfunction and for improving libido and fertility.

Also known as Horny Goat Weed, this supplement supposedly got its name after a farmer noticed that his flock of goats were particularly aroused after eating flowers of a specific type. These Epimedium flowers contain icariin, which is a natural compound that increases blood flow to sexual organs and promotes sex drive. Icariin has been found to increase Nitric Oxide synthesis as well as inhibiting the activity of the PDE-5 enzyme

[Icariin in Epimedium Extract]

Epimedium extracts powder contain an active phytochemical called icariin.Icariin has been observed to exhibit a number of useful traits, including renoprotective (liver protecting) hepatoprotective (kidney protecting), cardioprotective (heart protecting) and neuroprotective (brain protecting) effects.

It is also an antioxidant and can cause vasodilation. It exhibits antimicrobial characteristics and is thought to act as an aphrodisiac.

Icariin is classified as a flavonol glycoside, which is a type of flavonoid. Specifically, icariin is the 8-prenyl derivation of kaempferol 3,7-O-diglucoside, a prevalent and important flavonoid.

[Function]

1. Combat mental and physical fatigue;

2. Induce vasodilation and improve circulation;

3. Lower blood pressure in hypertensive patients;

4. Improve symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED) through its action as a PDE5  inhibitor;

5. Improve the use of free testosterone in the blood;

6. Increase libido;

7. Alleviate symptoms of depression and stimulate improved cognitive function;

8. Protect against neurological degeneration.

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DESCRIPTION: Dietary strategies, including the use of black pepper (piperine), can boost blood levels of curcumin from the spice turmeric by up to 2,000%.

Why would we care about boosting curcumin levels? I started talking about this golden spice pigment in Which Spices Fight Inflammation? (https://nutritionfacts.org/video/which-spices-fight-inflammation) and Spicing Up DNA Protection (https://nutritionfacts.org/video/spicing-up-dna-protection) and then moved on to treating actual clinical conditions in Turmeric Curcumin and Rheumatoid Arthritis (https://nutritionfacts.org/video/turmeric-curcumin-and-rheumatoid-arthritis) and Turmeric Curcumin and Osteoarthritis (https://nutritionfacts.org/video/turmeric-curcumin-and-osteoarthritis). Next I’ll end this video series with some cautionary notes in Who Shouldn’t Consume Curcumin or Turmeric (https://nutritionfacts.org/video/who-shouldnt-consume-curcumin-or-turmeric).

I’ve previously covered this topic of food synergy in videos such as Apples and Oranges: Dietary Diversity (https://nutritionfacts.org/video/apples-and-oranges-dietary-diversity/) and Garden Variety Anti-Inflammation (https://nutritionfacts.org/video/garden-variety-anti-inflammation/) that emphasize the importance of eating a variety of plant foods to take advantage of some of these interactions.

The black pepper mechanism reminds me of the grapefruit (Tell Your Doctor If You Eat Grapefruit, https://nutritionfacts.org/video/tell-your-doctor-if-you-eat-grapefruit/) and broccoli (The Best Detox, https://nutritionfacts.org/video/the-best-detox/) stories. A testament to the power of plants (https://nutritionfacts.org/video/power-plants/).

The painkilling properties of aspirin mentioned in the video are actually found throughout the plant kingdom: Aspirin Levels in Plant Foods (https://nutritionfacts.org/video/aspirin-levels-in-plant-foods/).

In some circumstances, traditional medicine wisdom seems incredible (Tomato Effect, https://nutritionfacts.org/video/the-tomato-effect); in others, dangerous (Get the Lead Out, https://nutritionfacts.org/video/get-the-lead-out). But that’s what we now have science for!

Have a question for Dr. Greger about this video? Leave it in the comment section at https://nutritionfacts.org/video/boosting-the-bioavailability-of-curcumin/ and he’ll try to answer it!

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