✵This article documents the herb Epimedium Herb, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, and its officially recognized botanical sources—four plant species: (1) Epimedium brevicornum Maxim., (2) Epimedium sagittatum (Sieb. et Zucc.) Maxim., (3) Epimedium pubescens Maxim., and (4) Epimedium koreanum Nakai—as well as an additional approved species: (5) Epimedium wushanense T. S. Ying. It provides a detailed description of the botanical characteristics, growth habits, and ecological environments of these five species; the characteristics of the dried herb; its pharmacological actions; medicinal efficacy; and administration guidelines.
Herba Epimedii (Epimedium Herb)
Pinyin Name: Yín Yánɡ Huò
English Name: Epimedium Herb, Shortened Epimedium Herb, Horny Goat Weed
Latin Name:Herba Epimedii Properties and Flavor: Warm; pungent and sweet
Brief Introduction:Herba Epimedii consists of the dried aerial parts of Epimedium brevicornum Maxim., Epimedium sagittatum (Sieb. et Zucc.) Maxim., Epimedium koreanum Nakai, Epimedium pubescens Maxim., or Epimedium wushanense T. S. Ying. It is used (1) to tonify kidney Yang for treating impotence, infertility, and frequent urination, and (2) to strengthen tendons and bones and dispel wind-dampness for rheumatoid arthralgia, contracture, and numbness. Common names include Herba Epimedii, Epimedium Herb, Herb of Shorthorned Epimedium, Herb of Sagittate Epimedium, Herb of Pubescent epimedium, and Yín Yáng Huò.
Botanical Source: Common official herbal works and authoritative herbal classics define Herba Epimedii (Yin Yang Huo) as the stem and leaves of of plants in the Berberidaceae family, genus Epimedium L. The officially accepted species are: (1). Epimedium brevicornum Maxim., (2). Epimedium sagittatum (Sieb. et Zucc.) Maxim., (3). Epimedium wushanense T.S. Ying, (4). Epimedium pubescens Maxim., and (5). Epimedium koreanum Nakai. The latest official herbal classics (2020 Edition) specifies the dried leaves of species (1),(2),(4), and (5) as the official source material. These species belong to the genus Epimedium L., family Berberidaceae (barberry family), order Ranunculales (formerly in order Ranales). Although roots are not listed as official medicinal parts, they are occasionally used in practice. Descriptions of these five commonly used species follow.
(1) Epimedium brevicornum Maxim.
Botanical description:Epimedium brevicornum Maxim., commonly known as Yín Yáng Huò ("Horny Goat Weed"), Xiǎo Yè Yín Yáng Huò ("Small-leaved Epimedium"), or Xīn Yè Yín Yáng Huò ("Cordate-leaved Epimedium"), is a perennial herb in the Berberidaceae family, genus Epimedium L. It grows 30–40 cm tall. Rhizomes are amphitropous, 3–5 mm in diameter, hard in texture, and bear numerous fibrous roots. Stems are erect, ribbed (ridged), glabrous, and typically lack basal leaves. Two cauline leaves arise at the stem apex; each has a long petiole and is biternate with nine leaflets. Leaflets are broad-ovate to orbicular (subrotund), 3–7 cm long and 2.5–6 cm wide; apices are acute or shortly acuminate; bases are deeply cordate; margins are spiny-serrate; the upper surface is green, glossy, and glabrous; the lower surface is pale and sparsely pubescent; reticulate venation is conspicuous on both surfaces. Basal lobes of the terminal leaflets are rounded and symmetrical; basal lobes of the lateral leaflets are asymmetrical—the inner lobe is rounded, the outer lobe is acute.
Inflorescences are terminal panicles, narrow, 10–35 cm long. The inflorescence axis and pedicels bear glandular trichomes. Basal bracts of the peduncle are ovate-lanceolate and membranous. Flowers are white, ~1.5 cm in diameter, with 20–50 flowers per panicle; pedicels measure 5–20 mm. There are four outer sepals—narrowly ovate, dark green (sap-green), 1–3 mm long—and four inner sepals—lanceolate, white or pale yellow, ~1 cm long and 2–4 mm wide. Petals are small, with spurs (calcar) 2–3 mm long. Stamens number four, 3–4 mm long; anthers are ~2 mm long. A single pistil is present, with an elongated style.
Follicles are ~1 cm long and terminate in a rostrum (beak). Each follicle contains one or two brown seeds. Flowering occurs from May to June; fruiting from June to August.
Ecological Environment: This species grows in moist, shaded habitats on mountain slopes or in valley forests. It is native to China.
Characteristics of the Herb: The aerial parts are 20–40 cm long. The stem is slender, rod-shaped, smooth or slightly ridged, and glossy. Leaves are biternate compound; the central petiolules are ~10 cm long, and the lateral petiolules are ~5 cm long. Leaflets are oval (egg-shaped), 3–7 cm long and 2–5 cm wide; lateral leaflets are smaller. Apices are acute; the base of the central leaflets is deeply cordate; the base of the lateral leaflets is deflexed cordate, with the outer lobes larger. Margins are spiny-serrulate. The upper surface is green or yellowish green, slightly glossy, and glabrous; the lower surface is celadon (grayish green), sparsely pubescent—especially along the veins—and pilose at the junction of the primary vein and petiole. Leaf blades are coriaceous and crisp. The herb has a mild, grassy odor and tastes slightly bitter.
(2) Epimedium sagittatum.
Botanical description:Epimedium sagittatum (Sieb. et Zucc.) Maxim., commonly known as Jiàn Yè Yín Yáng Huò ("Sword-leaf Epimedium") or Arrow-leaf Epimedium, is a perennial evergreen herb in the Berberidaceae family (barberry family), genus Epimedium L. It grows 25–50 cm tall. Rhizomes are short and thick (stubby), slightly tuberculate, firm and hard; root bark is brown, and the fracture surface is white. Stems are ribbed and glabrous. Basal leaves number 1–3, each trifoliolate; petioles are slender, 4–18 cm long. Two cauline leaves arise near the stem apex and resemble basal leaves in morphology. Leaflets are coriaceous, narrowly ovate to lanceolate, 15–19 cm long and 3–8 cm wide; apices are acute or acuminate; bases are cordate and arrow-shaped (sagittate); bases of lateral leaflets are asymmetrically cordate and shallowly lobed; margins bear fine bristles. The lower surface is glabrous when young but later develops sparse, unicellular, short hirsute trichomes. Terminal leaflet bases are orbicular (subrotund) and symmetrical; lateral leaflet bases are asymmetrical—the inner lobe is smaller and rounded, the outer lobe is larger, triangular, and acute.
Inflorescences are terminal, erect panicles. The inflorescence axis and pedicels are usually glabrous, occasionally bearing a few glandular trichomes. Flowers are white, ~6 mm in diameter, 20–60 per panicle; pedicels are ~1 cm long. Four outer sepals are oblong-ovate, 3–4 mm long and 1.5–2 mm wide, purplish; four inner sepals are oval to ovate-triangular, ~4 mm long and ~2 mm wide, acute at the apex, and white. Petals are nearly equal in length to the inner sepals, brownish, and possess short spurs (calcar). Stamens number four, ~5 mm long; anthers are valvular-dehiscent and ~3 mm long.
Follicles are ~1 cm long and terminate in a rostrum (beak). Seeds are reniform-oblong, ~4 mm long, and bistre (seal brown). Flowering occurs from February to March; fruiting, from May to June.
Ecological Environment: This species grows on mountain slopes, in forests (jungles), rock crevices, along stream banks, or in moist, shaded habitats. It is native to China.
Characteristics of the Herb: The aerial parts are ~40 cm long. Leaves are trifoliolate, with three leaflets arising from a single petiole. Leaf blades are long arrow-shaped (sagittate-ovoid) to ovate-lanceolate, coriaceous, 4–12 cm long and 2.5–5 cm wide. Apices are spinose. Leaflets measure 4–10 cm in length; bases of lateral leaflets are conspicuously asymmetrical—the outer lobe arrow-shaped, and the overall leaf base sagittate. Margins are stiffly serrate, with teeth ~2 mm long. The lower surface is sparsely covered with thick, short pubescence or becomes glabrate with age. Leaf blades are coriaceous, rigid, and crisp.
(3) Epimedium wushanense T.S. Ying.
Botanical Description:Epimedium wushanense T. S. Ying is commonly known as Wūshān Yín Yánɡ Huò (Wushan Mountain Epimedium), a perennial evergreen herb of the Berberidaceae family (barberry family) and genus Epimedium L. It grows up to 50–80 cm tall. The rhizome is tuberculiform (nodular) and hard, with a surface covered in brown scales and surrounded by numerous fibrous roots. Primary trifoliolate leaves are basal or cauline, with long petioles; each leaf has three lobules (leaflets), which are stipitate. The leaf blades are coriaceous, lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate, 9–23 cm long and 1.8–4.5 cm wide; the apex is acuminate or long-acuminate, the base is cordate, and the margin is spiny-serrate. At the base of the apical lobule, there are equal, rounded lobes; the basal lobes of the lateral lobules are oblique; the inner lobes are small and rounded, whereas the outer lobes are larger, triangular, and acuminate. The abaxial surface is covered with woolly hairs (tomentose) or becomes glabrescent. Long stems bear two opposite leaves.
Panicles are terminal, 15–30 cm long—occasionally reaching 50 cm—and bear numerous flowers; the inflorescence axis is glabrous; pedicels are sparsely covered with glandular trichomes or glabrous; flowers are pale yellow, ca. 3.5 cm in diameter; there are four outer sepals, orbicular (subrotund), 2–5 mm long and 1.5–3 mm wide; inner sepals are broadly elliptic, 3–15 mm long and 1.5–8 mm wide, with an obtuse apex; petals are corniculate, pale yellow (sometimes purplish at the base), 0.6–2 mm long; pistils are 2–4 mm long; carpels are obliquely cylindrical, with elongated styles and containing 10–12 ovules.
Follicles are ca. 1.5 cm long. Flowering occurs from April to May; fruiting occurs in June.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows along stream banks, gullies (cleuchs), ditches, and valleys. It is distributed in China.
Characteristics of the Herb: Primary trifoliolate leaves; lobules (leaflets) are lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate, 9–23 cm long and 1.8–4.5 cm (or 2–4 cm) wide; length is approximately five times the width; apex is acuminate or long-acuminate; margin is barbed; basal lobes of lateral lobules are oblique; inner lobes are small and rounded; outer lobes are large, triangular, and tapering. The lower surface is tomentose (covered with woolly hairs) or glabrous.
(4) Epimedium pubescens Maxim.
Botanical Description:Epimedium pubescens Maxim is commonly known as Róu Máo Yín Yánɡ Huò (Pubescent Epimedium) or Flocculent Epimedium. It is a perennial herb of the Berberidaceae family (barberry family) and genus Epimedium L., growing up to 20–60 cm tall. The rhizome is podgy (short and thick), tuberculiform (nodular), 3–5 mm in diameter. Stems are slightly ribbed and glabrous, or pilose at the junction with the petiole. Primary trifoliolate leaves include two opposite cauline leaves; lobules are coriaceous, ovate (egg-shaped) to lanceolate, 3–20 cm long and 2–8 cm wide; apex is short-acuminate or acuminate; base is deeply or shallowly cordate; lobes are often rounded; margins are spiny-toothed; the upper surface is glossy; the lower surface is densely covered with grayish pilose or curly pilose hairs—especially along veins and petioles.
Panicles are terminal or axillary; the inflorescence axis and pedicels bear glandular trichomes; flowers are white, ca. 1 cm in diameter; pedicels are 1–2 cm long; there are four outer sepals, broad-ovate, 2–3 mm long and purplish; inner sepals are lanceolate, 5–7 mm long and 1.5–3.5 mm wide, white, with several prominent veins; petals are small, shorter than the inner calyx, ca. 2 mm long, and fasciculate (sarciniform); stamens are 4 mm long; anthers are ca. 2 mm long.
Follicles are oblong, with a long rostrum (beak) at the apex. Flowering occurs from April to May; fruiting occurs from May to July.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows on hillsides or mountain slopes, in grassy areas within forests, and prefers moist (damp) habitats. It is distributed in China.
Characteristics of the Herb: Primary trifoliolate leaves; the lower surface of leaves and petioles is densely covered with white pilose hairs; leaf blades are thinly coriaceous.
(5) Epimedium koreanum Nakai.
Botanical Description:Epimedium koreanum Nakai is commonly known as Dōngběi Yín Yánɡ Huò (Northeast Epimedium), a perennial herb of the Berberidaceae family (barberry family) and genus Epimedium L. It grows up to 20–40 cm tall. Rhizomes are amphitropous, elongated and hard, bearing numerous fibrous roots. Stems are erect or slightly ascending, ribbed, with the base enveloped by 2–3 circular lodicules (scale leaves). Basal leaves are usually absent; rarely, 1–2 are present and nearly as long as the stem. Cauline leaves are biternate compound leaves; a single leaf grow at the stem apex, with a long petiole and distinct nodes and joints at the petiole–stem junction. Each leaf has nine lobules (leaflets); petiolules are shorter than the primary petiole; leaflet blades are ovate (egg-shaped), ca. 5 cm long at anthesis, ca. 3 cm wide, enlarging after flowering to ca. 10 cm long and 7 cm wide; the base is deeply cordate—often asymmetric (skewed)—and the apex is acute; the margin bears setiform (bristle-like) serrations; the upper surface is glabrous; the lower surface is covered with appressed hairs in the seedling stage, which gradually abscise later.
Racemes are shorter than the cauline leaves, arising from both sides of the stem apex, either solitary or divaricate at the base; they possess long peduncles, nodes and joints, and are glabrous; the base bears two bracteoles (bractlets); each raceme bears 4–6 apical flowers. Pedicels are ca. 1 cm long; flowers are relatively large, ca. 2 cm in diameter. There are eight sepals, ovate-lanceolate, 3–4 mm long, mauve (lilac): four outer sepals (smaller, in the outer whorl) and four inner sepals (larger, in the inner whorl, 6–9 mm long). There are four petals, pale yellow or yellowish-white, suborbicular, 7–8 mm long, with an acute apex. The ovary is unilocular; the style is elongated; the stigma is capitate.
Follicles are fusiform (spindle-shaped), ca. 6 mm long including the persistent style, dehiscing into two valves; the smaller valve abscises, while the larger valve persists; each contains 6–8 seeds. Flowering occurs from late April to mid-May; fruiting occurs in May.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows in shady forests or shrublands and prefers humus-rich, moist soils. It is distributed in China.
Characteristics of the Herb: Biternate compound leaves; leaflets are large, 4–10 cm long and 3.5–7 cm wide, broadly ovate; the apex is caudate; marginal serrations are fine and hair-like (fimbriate-serrate). Leaf blades are thin and membranaceous.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) Stimulating spermatogenesis; (2) Enhancing androgenic activity; (3) Modulating cardiovascular and endocrine functions; (4) Antimicrobial effects: significantly inhibits Staphylococcus albus and Staphylococcus aureus; mildly inhibits Neisseria catarrhalis, Diplococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro; inhibits poliovirus, Coxsackievirus A9, B4, B5, and Echovirus 6 and 9. etc.
Medicinal Efficacy: Tonifies kidney yang, strengthens the kidneys and augments yang, fortifies tendons and bones, and dispels wind-dampness. It is indicated for kidney-yang deficiency syndromes, including asynodia and spermatorrhea (impotence and nocturnal emission), failure to achieve or maintain erection, premature ejaculation and spermatorrhea, infertility due to deficiency-cold, kidney deficiency and dyspnea cough (dyspnea and cough attributable to kidney deficiency), flaccidity or contracture of tendons and bones, contracture and spasm of muscles tendons and bones, dribbling urination, polyuria and uroclepsia (frequent urination and urinary incontinence), hemiplegia, lumbago and knee weakness, soreness and softness of the lumbar region and knees, rheumatic arthralgia, numbness of the limbs (upper and lower extremities), numbness and muscular rigidity.
Administration of Herba Epimedii (Yín Yánɡ Huò):
Reference:
Administration Guide of Herba Epimedii (Yín Yánɡ Huò)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 6–10 grams; (2) Internally: water decoction, 1–3 qián (approximately 3–9 grams); prepared as a wine infusion, ointment, pill, or powder. External use: wash with decoction. (3) Internally: water decoction, 3–9 grams; higher doses up to 15 g may be used under professional guidance; also prepared as a wine infusion, ointment, pill, or powder. External use: appropriate amount, used as a mouthwash or topical wash with decoction.
✵This article documents the herb Epimedium Herb, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, and its officially recognized botanical sources—four plant species: (1) Epimedium brevicornum Maxim., (2) Epimedium sagittatum (Sieb. et Zucc.) Maxim., (3) Epimedium pubescens Maxim., and (4) Epimedium koreanum Nakai—as well as an additional approved species: (5) Epimedium wushanense T. S. Ying. It provides a detailed description of the botanical characteristics, growth habits, and ecological environments of these five species; the characteristics of the dried herb; its pharmacological actions; medicinal efficacy; and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Yín Yánɡ Huò
Botanical description: Epimedium brevicornum Maxim., commonly known as Yín Yáng Huò ("Horny Goat Weed"), Xiǎo Yè Yín Yáng Huò ("Small-leaved Epimedium"), or Xīn Yè Yín Yáng Huò ("Cordate-leaved Epimedium"), is a perennial herb in the Berberidaceae family, genus Epimedium L. It grows 30–40 cm tall. Rhizomes are amphitropous, 3–5 mm in diameter, hard in texture, and bear numerous fibrous roots. Stems are erect, ribbed (ridged), glabrous, and typically lack basal leaves. Two cauline leaves arise at the stem apex; each has a long petiole and is biternate with nine leaflets. Leaflets are broad-ovate to orbicular (subrotund), 3–7 cm long and 2.5–6 cm wide; apices are acute or shortly acuminate; bases are deeply cordate; margins are spiny-serrate; the upper surface is green, glossy, and glabrous; the lower surface is pale and sparsely pubescent; reticulate venation is conspicuous on both surfaces. Basal lobes of the terminal leaflets are rounded and symmetrical; basal lobes of the lateral leaflets are asymmetrical—the inner lobe is rounded, the outer lobe is acute.
Ecological Environment: This species grows in moist, shaded habitats on mountain slopes or in valley forests. It is native to China.
Characteristics of the Herb: The aerial parts are 20–40 cm long. The stem is slender, rod-shaped, smooth or slightly ridged, and glossy. Leaves are biternate compound; the central petiolules are ~10 cm long, and the lateral petiolules are ~5 cm long. Leaflets are oval (egg-shaped), 3–7 cm long and 2–5 cm wide; lateral leaflets are smaller. Apices are acute; the base of the central leaflets is deeply cordate; the base of the lateral leaflets is deflexed cordate, with the outer lobes larger. Margins are spiny-serrulate. The upper surface is green or yellowish green, slightly glossy, and glabrous; the lower surface is celadon (grayish green), sparsely pubescent—especially along the veins—and pilose at the junction of the primary vein and petiole. Leaf blades are coriaceous and crisp. The herb has a mild, grassy odor and tastes slightly bitter.
Botanical description: Epimedium sagittatum (Sieb. et Zucc.) Maxim., commonly known as Jiàn Yè Yín Yáng Huò ("Sword-leaf Epimedium") or Arrow-leaf Epimedium, is a perennial evergreen herb in the Berberidaceae family (barberry family), genus Epimedium L. It grows 25–50 cm tall. Rhizomes are short and thick (stubby), slightly tuberculate, firm and hard; root bark is brown, and the fracture surface is white. Stems are ribbed and glabrous. Basal leaves number 1–3, each trifoliolate; petioles are slender, 4–18 cm long. Two cauline leaves arise near the stem apex and resemble basal leaves in morphology. Leaflets are coriaceous, narrowly ovate to lanceolate, 15–19 cm long and 3–8 cm wide; apices are acute or acuminate; bases are cordate and arrow-shaped (sagittate); bases of lateral leaflets are asymmetrically cordate and shallowly lobed; margins bear fine bristles. The lower surface is glabrous when young but later develops sparse, unicellular, short hirsute trichomes. Terminal leaflet bases are orbicular (subrotund) and symmetrical; lateral leaflet bases are asymmetrical—the inner lobe is smaller and rounded, the outer lobe is larger, triangular, and acute.
Characteristics of the Herb: The aerial parts are ~40 cm long. Leaves are trifoliolate, with three leaflets arising from a single petiole. Leaf blades are long arrow-shaped (sagittate-ovoid) to ovate-lanceolate, coriaceous, 4–12 cm long and 2.5–5 cm wide. Apices are spinose. Leaflets measure 4–10 cm in length; bases of lateral leaflets are conspicuously asymmetrical—the outer lobe arrow-shaped, and the overall leaf base sagittate. Margins are stiffly serrate, with teeth ~2 mm long. The lower surface is sparsely covered with thick, short pubescence or becomes glabrate with age. Leaf blades are coriaceous, rigid, and crisp.
Botanical Description: Epimedium wushanense T. S. Ying is commonly known as Wūshān Yín Yánɡ Huò (Wushan Mountain Epimedium), a perennial evergreen herb of the Berberidaceae family (barberry family) and genus Epimedium L. It grows up to 50–80 cm tall. The rhizome is tuberculiform (nodular) and hard, with a surface covered in brown scales and surrounded by numerous fibrous roots. Primary trifoliolate leaves are basal or cauline, with long petioles; each leaf has three lobules (leaflets), which are stipitate. The leaf blades are coriaceous, lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate, 9–23 cm long and 1.8–4.5 cm wide; the apex is acuminate or long-acuminate, the base is cordate, and the margin is spiny-serrate. At the base of the apical lobule, there are equal, rounded lobes; the basal lobes of the lateral lobules are oblique; the inner lobes are small and rounded, whereas the outer lobes are larger, triangular, and acuminate. The abaxial surface is covered with woolly hairs (tomentose) or becomes glabrescent. Long stems bear two opposite leaves.
Characteristics of the Herb: Primary trifoliolate leaves; lobules (leaflets) are lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate, 9–23 cm long and 1.8–4.5 cm (or 2–4 cm) wide; length is approximately five times the width; apex is acuminate or long-acuminate; margin is barbed; basal lobes of lateral lobules are oblique; inner lobes are small and rounded; outer lobes are large, triangular, and tapering. The lower surface is tomentose (covered with woolly hairs) or glabrous.
Botanical Description: Epimedium pubescens Maxim is commonly known as Róu Máo Yín Yánɡ Huò (Pubescent Epimedium) or Flocculent Epimedium. It is a perennial herb of the Berberidaceae family (barberry family) and genus Epimedium L., growing up to 20–60 cm tall. The rhizome is podgy (short and thick), tuberculiform (nodular), 3–5 mm in diameter. Stems are slightly ribbed and glabrous, or pilose at the junction with the petiole. Primary trifoliolate leaves include two opposite cauline leaves; lobules are coriaceous, ovate (egg-shaped) to lanceolate, 3–20 cm long and 2–8 cm wide; apex is short-acuminate or acuminate; base is deeply or shallowly cordate; lobes are often rounded; margins are spiny-toothed; the upper surface is glossy; the lower surface is densely covered with grayish pilose or curly pilose hairs—especially along veins and petioles.
Characteristics of the Herb: Primary trifoliolate leaves; the lower surface of leaves and petioles is densely covered with white pilose hairs; leaf blades are thinly coriaceous.
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