Behind the funny name of horny goat weed stands a time-tested aphrodisiac that increases libido in men and women, and improves erectile function in men. Known also as Epimedium or Yin Yang Huo, horny goat weed was first described in ancient classical Chinese medicinal texts. Today, horny goat weed holds an important place in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is gaining popularity around the world.

Used by practitioners for over 2,000 years, horny goat weed is several species of epimedium, a leafy plant which grows in the wild, most abundantly at higher altitudes. The leaves of the plant contain a variety of flavonoids, polysaccharides, sterols and an alkaloid called magnaflorine. And while the exact way that horny goat weed works remains unknown, the plant has long been employed to restore sexual fire, boost erectile function, allay fatigue and alleviate menopausal discomfort.

When I decided to research horny goat weed in China, I made contact with Shanghai Dingxun Botanical Products, which makes extracts of horny goat weed, informing them of my intended visit with my wife Shahannah. With plans laid and backpacks of film and camera equipment, we boarded a jet in Boston and headed off to Shanghai, on the southeastern coast of mainland China and the East China Sea.

What the Experts Say
On our first evening in hot, tropical Shanghai, we gathered for dinner with six of Shanghai's top doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The group at our table constituted a Chinese medical brain trust of such grand stature, we were humbled to sit in the same room. As we ate, Medical Doctor Diao Yuan Kuang explained the virtues of TCM.

"Our tradition of practice is 5,000 years old. We know from very good experience that TCM is highly effective. We successfully treat many difficult diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and Parkinson's. In TCM, we look at the whole person, while Western physicians look at the disease. And we rely on herbs and foods to treat most health problems."