Directions: As a dietary supplement, take two capsules daily with a meal. For a more immediate response, take three to four capsules 90 minutes before activity.

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

Pinnacle Horny Goat Weed's combination of Horny 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.

Horny Goat Weed Ingredients

• Horny Goat Weed (Epimedium grandiflorum): 500 mg (Standardized 10% icariin)
• Maca Pure‘ (Lepidium meyenii): 250 mg (Standardized 0.6% macamides & macaenes)
• Macuna pruriens: 33.3 mg (Standardized 15% l-dopa)
• Polypodium vulgare: 25 mg (Standardized 8% 20-hydroxyecdysone)