What is the Minimum Effective Dose of Horny Goat Weed Extract Icariin for Libido?

Modern research has demonstrated that horny goat weed extract, icariin, the core bioactive flavonoid component, exerts multifaceted effects on reproductive system function and exhibits an indirect auxiliary role in enhancing libido (sexual desire). Acting as a “natural regulator” rather than a direct stimulant, it is suitable for health maintenance and the auxiliary improvement of physiological libido decline.

As a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, standardized horny goat weed extract serves as a key raw material in the plant extract industry, boasting broad application prospects in fields such as health supplements, pharmaceuticals, and functional foods.

Healthkintai^® has been manufacturing and supplying plant extract powder for over a decade. We can provide you with 5%-98% Horny Goat Weed Extract Icariin powder. If you want to order, please feel free to contact us at health@kintaibio.com.

Horny Goat Weed Extract Icariin for Libido and Its Dose

How does the horny goat weed extract icariin influence libido?

Icariin influences people’s sexual desire through multiple physiological regulatory mechanisms.

• Hormone Regulation: Icariin promotes testosterone biosynthesis by upregulating LH receptor expression, directly alleviating sexual desire decline caused by hormonal decline and laying a physiological foundation for normal libido.
• Vascular Modulation: Icariin exerts mild vasoactive effects by relaxing blood vessels and improving microcirculation in reproductive organs. This enhances blood perfusion, improves erectile function (positively correlated with sexual desire), and boosts sensory sensitivity, indirectly strengthening sexual arousal.
• Neurotransmitter Balance: Icariin regulates the secretion and receptor activity of central neurotransmitters. It promotes dopamine release (a core “desire and pleasure” neurotransmitter) to enhance sexual motivation, while moderately inhibiting 5-HT2C receptors to reduce serotonin’s inhibitory effect on libido, optimizing desire-related neural signaling without disrupting overall balance.
• Cellular Protection: Icariin’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties scavenge ROS to reduce oxidative stress damage to reproductive organs (testes, ovaries) and inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6). This protects gonadal function and prevents long-term inflammation-induced sexual desire decline, safeguarding long-term reproductive health.

Horny Goat Weed Extract Icariin Minimum Effective Dose for Libido

In rat experiments, the testosterone-enhancing effect was observed at a dose of 200 mg/kg of the 40% Horny Goat weed extract (corresponding to 80 mg/kg of icariin).

According to Pharmacological Experiment Methodology and FDA/EMA guidelines, the body surface area conversion factor for adult rats (body weight: 200-300 g) to humans is approximately 0.165 (i.e., human equivalent dose per kg body weight = rat dose per kg × 0.165).

The icariin dose required per kg of human body weight = effective rat dose (80 mg/kg) × conversion factor (0.165) ≈ 13.2 mg/kg.

Market Analysis of Horny Goat Weed Extract Icariin for Libido

How is icariin used by DrFormulas for libido support?

DrFormulas Libido Support is the company’s supplement specifically formulated for women to support libido.

This product provides only 10 mg of icariin per serving. This dose is far lower than the theoretical dose converted from the animal experiments we discussed earlier. This reflects that commercial products on the market typically adopt a more conservative and safe dosage approach.

Instead of using icariin alone, this product incorporates it as one of the core ingredients, formulated in combination with other plant components beneficial for sexual health—such as maca and tongkat ali. This is a common practice in the dietary supplement sector, aimed at generating synergistic effects through multiple pathways.

Horny Goat Weed Extract Icariin Side Effects

Short-term use (e.g., within 6 months) of standardized horny goat weed extract—such as the clinical trial dose of 60 mg/day—is generally safe. Risks are primarily associated with long-term, high-dose administration and individual health conditions (e.g., coagulopathy, hormone-sensitive diseases).

Where to Buy Horny Goat Weed Extract Icariin Powder?

Healthkintai^® is a professional manufacturer of Horny Goat Weed Extract Icariin Powder.

• We can offer different specifications of icariin powder according to your requirements.
• We strictly select the renowned species Epimedium sagittatum from the genus Epimedium of the Berberidaceae family as our core raw material source. It is precisely by virtue of its advantages of high active ingredient content and substantial yield that we have designated it as our primary raw material. Through modern precision extraction and purification processes, we extract its core active component—icariin—from the dried aerial parts of the plant.
• Our products contain no additives.
• Our certifications:

If you are looking for high-quality Horny Goat Weed Extract Icariin Powder (specifications can be customized), please feel free to contact us at health@kintaibio.com.