ABSTRACT
Herba Epimedii, Berberidaceae (Chinese name “yinyanghuo,” or “horny goat weed”) is the dried aerial part of several species of Epimedium, including E. sagittatum (Sieb. Et Zucc), E. koreanum Nakai, E. pubescens Maxim., E. wushanense T.S.Ying, and E. brevicornum Maxim (1). Epimedium is a woody, evergreen perennial indigenous to shady mountain areas in temperate to subtropical Asia. It has broad heart-shaped leaves, and comprises over 40 species throughout the world. Most species of the genus have been used in folk medicine as yang tonic, mainly in China, Japan, and Korea. It is pungent and sweet in flavor.
