Ingredients

Horny goat weed (Epimedium)

Epimedium · Icariin

Horny goat weed refers to several species of the genus Epimedium (Berberidaceae) used as a botanical ingredient in food supplements and, less commonly, in cosmetics. In products it is typically present as powdered aerial parts or as a concentrated extract, often standardised to an icariin content (a marker flavonoid), for example 10% or 20%. Because composition varies by species and extraction method, labels may state “Epimedium spp.” or name a specific species such as Epimedium brevicornum, E. sagittatum, or E. grandiflorum. In supplements it is most often supplied in capsules or tablets as a dry extract, sometimes blended with other botanicals. In cosmetics it may appear as a leaf/stem extract under an INCI name, used in water- or hydroglycol-based formulations.