Horny Goat Weed (Epimedium, Yin Yang Huo, 淫羊藿) can be used to treat joint pain, rheumatism, waist weakness, numbness, spasm and paraplegia. Horny goat weed is a warming herb. It leads warming energy flow downward to lower body, tonifies kidney Yang, strengthens bones, dispels wind-damp.
Horny Goat Weed for Joint Pain
According to traditional Chinese medicine, wind-damp is usually represented by arthritic disorders (rheumatism) caused by the internal wind and dampness and it settles in the joints, legs and waist. When patients have this problem, they usually have the symptoms of joint pains, waist weakness and pains, leg weakness and coldness, numbness, spasms or even paraplegia. To treat this problem, Chinese herbalists use warming, downwarding herbs to warm lower body. Horny goat weed is one of the herbs that are effective in treating the disorders. This herb has been used for centuries in China for treating weak back and knees, joint pain, osteoarthritis, and other disorders.
Modern studies suggest that horny goat weed contains chemicals which might help increase blood flow and improve sexual function. It also contains phytoestrogens, chemicals that act somewhat like the female hormone estrogen, that might reduce bone loss.
Horny Goat Weed Jiu – Formula of Horny Goat Weed Tincture
Traditionally, when using herbs to treat joint pain, rheumatism, waist weakness and numbness, the herbs is often used with alcohol to make a tincture, because alcohol can reinforce the effects of the herbs. We can also use horny goat weed to make a tincture.
Horny Goat Weed Jiu is a herbal tincture. Here is the formula:
– Horny goat weed 200g
– White distilled liquor (jiu, vodka, sake, brandy or white wine) 1000g
– Soak the herb in the liquor for 15 days (longer is better)
– Drink 20-30g, once a day.
This tincture is effective in treating impotence, premature ejaculation, limb numbness, joint pain, rheumatism, waist weakness, spasm and paraplegia.
More information about alternative cures for joint pain
