What Is It?
Horny Goat Weed may not sound serious, but in
reality, it could provide a serious boost to those who need it. An all-natural
phyto-aphrodisiac, it's based on the latest scientific research into male
performance and well-being. It may be used to support libido and sexual
activity through a variety of mechanisms. These herbs include Horny Goat
Weed, Maca Pure, Macuna pruriens, and Polypodium vulgare, which in combination,
can help support higher performance in and out of the gym.
Horny Goat Weed
Horny Goat Weed is a traditional botanical medicine
used in China and Japan. Although this herb (which also goes by the
names Yin Yang Huo, Inyokaku, and Herba Epimedii) has a history of traditional
use for disorders of the kidneys, joints, liver, back and knees, its principle
use is as an aphrodisiac. According to one herbal author, Horny Goat Weed
has testosterone-like effects. It stimulates sexual activity in both men
and women, increases sperm production, stimulates the sensory nerves, and
increases sexual desire.
Aphrodisiac research
Horny Goat Weed’s aphrodisiac effects has been
verified in both animal and human research. Mice treated with a Horny Goat
Weed preparation produced "apparent effects on the improvement of sexuality."
It was also shown to improve sperm producing capability.
Since Horny Goat Weed has been traditionally used for kidney disease, it's
interesting that research has demonstrated a sexual potentiation effect
and improved quality of life in patients with chronic renal failure who
were given Horny Goat Weed.
Mechanisms of action
Research has shown that Horny Goat Weed significantly
increases testosterone in mice. This certainly appears
to be the herb's mechanism of action, although Horny Goat Weed may have
more than one. For example, it has been established that sexual arousal
is linked to the activity of cholinergic neurotransmitters.
However, an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inactivates cholinergic
neurotransmitters within 1/500 of a second. As it turns
out, research shows that Horny Goat Weed is capable of inhibiting AChE.
Such an inhibition may support higher levels of the key cholinergic neurotransmitters
associated with sexual arousal. In addition, research has shown that Horny
Goat Weed has anti-fatigue effects and helps prevents
adrenal exhaustion.
Maca Pure™
Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a botanical from Peru
which has been used successfully by native Peruvians as an aphrodisiac
and adaptogen to increase energy levels (as well as for a variety of other
purposes) since before the time of the Incas. Maca has
been used medicinally for centuries to enhance fertility in humans and
animals. Soon after the Spanish Conquest in the South America, the Spanish
found that their livestock were reproducing poorly in the highlands. The
local Indians recommended feeding the animals Maca. So remarkable were
the results that Spanish chroniclers gave in-depth reports on Maca. Even
Colonial records dating back 200 years indicate that payments of roughly
9 tons of Maca were demanded from one Andean area alone for this purpose.
Its fertility enhancing properties were supported clinically as early as
1961, when researchers discovered it increased the fertility of rats.
Clinical research
Hugo Malaspina, M.D., a cardiologist practicing complementary medicine in Lima, Peru, has been using Maca in his practice for ten years. Dr. Malaspina first found out about Maca through a group of sexually active older men who were taking the herb with good results. Dr. Malaspina reported: "One man in this group started taking Maca and found he was able to perform satisfactorily in a sexual relationship with a lady friend. Soon everyone in the group began drinking the powdered Maca as a beverage and enjoying the boost that the root was giving their hormonal functions. I have several of these men as patients, and their improvement prompted me to find out more about Maca and begin recommending it to my other patients."
Chicago physician Gary F. Gordon, former President
of the American College for Advancement in Medicine, is also a Maca supporter.
"We all hear rumors about various products like Maca," he says. "But using
this Peruvian root myself, I personally experienced a significant improvement
in erectile tissue response. I call it nature's answer to Viagra. What
I see in Maca is a means of normalizing our steroid hormones like testosterone,
progesterone and estrogen. Therefore, it has the facility to forestall
the hormonal changes of aging. It acts on men to restore them to a healthy
functional status in which they experience a more active libido."
The active components
A chemical analysis conducted in 1981 showed the
presence of biologically-active aromatic isothiocyanates, especially p-methoxybenzyl
isothiocyanate, which have reputed aphrodisiac properties. Initial
analysis of Maca indicates that the effects on fertility are a result of
the glucosinolates. Today, dried Maca roots are ground to powder
and sold in drug stores in capsules as a medicine and food supplement to
increase stamina and fertility. A special extract called
MacaPure‘ is the form of Maca used in Pinnacle Horny Goat Weed. MacaPure‘
is standardized for 0.6% macamides and macaenes—the primary active components
in Maca. This includes the aforementioned biologically-active aromatics
and glucosinolates.
Macuna pruriens
Mucuna pruriens, commonly known as velvet bean,
has been used by Ayurvedic practitioners for centuries in the management
of Parkinson’s disease and nervous debility. It has also been used in formulations
to control depression and improve mental alertness. Among
other natural phytochemicals, Mucuna also contains L-Dopa (l-dihydroxyphenylalanine).
It may be the L-Dopa content that provides much of Mucuna’s benefits. These
benefits include the reduction of cholesterol and blood sugar levels in
experimental models. Mucuna has been prescribed as an aphrodisiac by Ayurvedic
practitioners as well. A recent study revealed that the herb is useful
in improving sexual performance in normal male animal models.
The authors of this study concluded that the effects on mating behavior
and sexual performance in the male rats could partially be attributed to
the androgenic effect of Mucuna.
Polypodium vulgare
Polypodium vulgare is a fern that contains a group
of substances called ecdysteroids—a major component of which is 20-hydroxyecdysone.
Ecdysteroids are chemically similar to a molting hormone isolated from
insects. Animal research, however, has demonstrated that ecdysteroids don’t
just have benefits for insects. For example, ecdysteroids were found to
stimulate protein synthesis in mice by increasing the activity of polyribosomes.
Polyribosomes are the cellular compartments where actual protein synthesis
takes place. Additional research with mice has verified that ecdysteroids
do have "androgen-like and anabolic action." This androgen-like action
was again examined in a study where the ecdysteroids, 20-hydroxyecdysone,
was compared to the muscle-building properties of methandrostenolone, a
popular anabolic steroid used by athletes. The results of the study suggested
that 20-hydroxyecdysone possessed a wider spectrum of anabolic action on
contractile skeletal muscle proteins than the anabolic steroid. This type
of androgen-like anabolic action may cause Polypodium vulgare to actively
support the contractile activity of erectile proteins associated with sexual
activity.
Conclusion
Goat Weed, Maca Pure, Macuna pruriens, and Polypodium
vulgare may potentiate and support libido and sexual activity through the
mechanisms previously discussed. It's an all-natural stimulant that can
support a more robust life and as well as love-life.
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