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Horny goat weed

Horny goat weed suppliers and sourcing guide

Horny goat weed is the trade name for the leaves and aerial parts of several Epimedium species in the barberry family (Berberidaceae), mainly Epimedium brevicornu, E. sagittatum, E. koreanum and E. pubescens grown or wild-harvested in China. The dried leaf is extracted with water-ethanol and sold as a powder standardized to icariin by HPLC, at levels from a few percent to highly purified grades. Species and leaf-to-stem ratio affect the flavonoid profile.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Epimedium · Epimedium brevicornu · yin yang huo · barrenwort · Herba Epimedii
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of horny goat weed

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Leaf powder

    Dried, milled Epimedium leaf sold by mesh size without standardization.

  • Icariin-standardized extract

    Hydroalcoholic leaf extract sold with a minimum icariin percentage, commonly 5% to 20%, by HPLC.

  • High-purity icariin

    Purified extract at 50% to 98% icariin, which is a much more concentrated material than standard extracts.

  • Total flavonoid extract

    Extract sold on total Epimedium flavonoids by UV, which gives a higher figure than icariin alone.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Identity (HPTLC)
Fingerprint against Epimedium reference material to confirm the genus and, where specified, the species.
Icariin assay (HPLC)
Icariin, and often epimedins A, B and C, by a named HPLC method; total flavonoids by UV are not equivalent.
Heavy metals
Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS, checked against the buyer's limits and any Prop 65 exposure targets.
Microbiology
Total plate count, yeast and mold, coliforms or E. coli, and Salmonella. Raw powders carry more microbial load than extracts and are often steam treated.
Pesticide residues
Multi-residue screen by GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS, required for organic material and commonly requested for conventional lots.
Residual solvents
For extracts made with ethanol or other solvents, residual solvents against USP <467> or the buyer's specification.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Keep powders and extracts sealed in lined fiber drums or foil bags in a cool, dry place away from light. Dry extracts are hygroscopic and cake once exposed to humid air, so reseal opened containers promptly. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification, and the marker assay is usually repeated at retest.

Lots and expiry dates

Icariin content varies with species, harvest time and leaf-to-stem ratio, so record species, assay method and result for each lot. High-purity grades are expensive and a target for dilution, so keep retained samples and the supplier's HPLC chromatogram.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

  • Health Canada's Traditional Chinese Medicine Ingredients monograph lists Epimedium brevicornu, E. grandiflorum, E. koreanum, E. pubescens and E. sagittatum under yin yang huo, Folium Epimedii (the leaf).

    Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)

  • The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Epimedium grandiflorum (POL-NF-00333) concerns all parts of the plant and lists them as not yet authorised novel food.

    Source: ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)

  • The EU entry for Epimedium brevicornum (POL-NF-00332) lists extracts from the leaves, in foods including food supplements, as not yet authorised novel food.

    Source: ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Horny goat weed suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking horny goat weed suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

Sell horny goat weed? Request a listing

Frequently asked questions

What forms of horny goat weed can brands buy?

Common forms include leaf powder, icariin-standardized extract, high-purity icariin and total flavonoid extract. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for horny goat weed include?

Expect identity (HPTLC), icariin assay (HPLC), heavy metals, microbiology, pesticide residues and residual solvents, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should horny goat weed be stored?

Keep powders and extracts sealed in lined fiber drums or foil bags in a cool, dry place away from light. Dry extracts are hygroscopic and cake once exposed to humid air, so reseal opened containers promptly. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification, and the marker assay is usually repeated at retest.

What is the regulatory status of horny goat weed?

Health Canada's Traditional Chinese Medicine Ingredients monograph lists Epimedium brevicornu, E. grandiflorum, E. koreanum, E. pubescens and E. sagittatum under yin yang huo, Folium Epimedii (the leaf). The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Epimedium grandiflorum (POL-NF-00333) concerns all parts of the plant and lists them as not yet authorised novel food. The EU entry for Epimedium brevicornum (POL-NF-00332) lists extracts from the leaves, in foods including food supplements, as not yet authorised novel food.

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