Super Strength 1000mg Horny Goat Weed with Maca Arginine Ginseng 120

What it is

Dr. Martin's Nutrition Horny Goat Weed is a herbal dietary supplement sold as a bottle of 120 capsules, with a two-capsule serving that lists 1000 mg of horny goat weed extract (Epimedium sagittatum) providing 10 mg of icariins. The front of the bottle calls it an "Extra Strength Herbal Blend", and the Supplement Facts panel names eight further ingredients alongside the Epimedium: maca, Tribulus terrestris, Polypodium vulgare, tongkat ali, saw palmetto, muira puama, L-arginine and Panax ginseng.

The bottle is made for MHNY Global of Las Vegas, Nevada, which sells it under the Dr. Martin's Nutrition name. Every amount on the panel is itemised, so there is no proprietary blend hiding the proportions; added together, the nine listed amounts come to 1,590 mg per two capsules. It sits in our supplements for men range and is also listed with our supplements for women, because nothing on the label is written for one sex only.

What's inside

The formula is built around one large ingredient and a supporting cast of much smaller ones. Here is what each of them actually is.

• Horny goat weed extract, 1000 mg. Epimedium is a genus of low, leafy flowering plants in the barberry family, native to China and neighbouring parts of East Asia, where the dried leaves have a long history in traditional Chinese preparations under the name yin yang huo. The English common name comes from a folk story about a goat herder and his flock. Icariin is a flavonoid found in Epimedium leaves, and the panel states that this extract provides 10 mg of icariins per serving. The label specifies the aerial (above-ground) part of the plant.
• Maca root powder, 250 mg. Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a root vegetable related to radish and mustard, farmed at very high altitude in the Peruvian Andes. It has been eaten there as a staple food for centuries, usually dried and then boiled or ground into flour.
• Tribulus terrestris 40% extract, 60 mg. Known in English as puncturevine, this is a creeping plant with spiny seed pods that grows in warm, dry regions across several continents. The extract is taken from its aerial parts; the label gives the 40% figure without naming what it refers to.
• Polypodium vulgare powder, 20 mg. Common polypody is a small evergreen fern that grows on rocks, walls and tree trunks in Europe. The panel uses its root and rhizome, the creeping underground stem.
• Tongkat ali root powder, 100 mg. Tongkat ali is the Malay name for Eurycoma longifolia, a slender shrub of the rainforests of Malaysia and Indonesia. Its root, which is strongly bitter, is the part used in traditional Malay preparations.
• Saw palmetto berry powder, 100 mg. Saw palmetto is a low fan palm native to the coastal southeastern United States, and its dark berries are the part used in supplements. The NCCIH page on saw palmetto gives general background on the plant and what research has looked at.
• Muira puama root powder, 20 mg. Muira puama is a Brazilian common name for Amazonian shrubs of the Ptychopetalum genus; the label does not specify a species.
• L-arginine (as L-arginine HCl), 20 mg. L-arginine is an amino acid found in ordinary protein foods such as meat, fish, dairy, nuts and beans. The hydrochloride form is a common, stable salt used in capsules.
• Panax ginseng root powder, 20 mg. Panax ginseng, often called Asian or Korean ginseng, is a slow-growing root cultivated in Korea and northeast China. See the NCCIH overview of Asian ginseng for independent background.

The capsule shell is gelatin of bovine origin, and the only other ingredients are rice flour and vegetable magnesium stearate, which help the powder fill and flow. For a general primer on how herbal ingredients like these are regulated, the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements publishes an overview of botanical dietary supplements.

Supplement Facts

This table is transcribed from the Supplement Facts panel on the bottle. No Daily Value is established for any of the ingredients.

You can compare other products' panels in the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

How to use it

The label directs taking two capsules one hour before physical activity, or as directed by your health-care professional. It also states plainly not to take more than two capsules in a day, so one serving is the daily ceiling.

Store the bottle in a cool, dry place with the cap closed, and do not use it if the safety wrap is damaged or missing. With two capsules per serving, the 120-capsule bottle holds 60 servings.

Who it's for

This is a product for adults aged 18 and over, men or women, who want a single capsule that combines Epimedium with maca, tongkat ali and ginseng rather than buying each herb separately. It will suit shoppers who like to see every milligram on the panel. If you are comparing it with other herbal formulas, our wider men's range is a good place to browse.

It is not suitable for vegetarians or vegans, because the capsules are made from bovine gelatin. The front of the bottle states "Gluten Free Ingredients".

Good to know

The manufacturer's caution panel is unusually detailed, and it is worth reading before you order:

• Do not exceed the recommended dose.
• Not intended for pregnant or nursing mothers, children under 18, or anyone taking prescription drugs.
• Do not take it if you have a known medical condition, including high blood pressure, diabetes, any cardiovascular disorder, heart disease or hyperthyroidism, or if you take anti-depressant medication.
• Stop using it straight away if nausea, sleeplessness or nervousness occur.
• If you have questions about whether it is advisable for you, speak to your physician before use.
• Keep out of reach of children.

No Prop 65 warning is printed on the bottle.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many capsules come in the bottle, and how many do I take?

The bottle holds 120 capsules and a serving is two capsules. The label says to take them one hour before physical activity and not to exceed two capsules daily.

Are Dr. Martin's Horny Goat Weed capsules vegetarian?

No, they are not vegetarian. The Other Ingredients line lists gelatin of bovine origin as the capsule material, together with rice flour and vegetable magnesium stearate.

Can I take this horny goat weed supplement if I use prescription medication?

No, the label says it is not intended for people taking prescription drugs. It also excludes anyone taking anti-depressants or living with high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, a cardiovascular disorder or hyperthyroidism, so talk to your doctor first.

How much icariin is in each serving?

Each two-capsule serving provides 10 mg of icariins. That figure comes from the 1000 mg Epimedium sagittatum extract, which is the largest single ingredient on the panel.

Will the parcel show what I ordered?

No, the outer packaging does not describe the contents. It will not show the Gear Isle name.

Product information compiled and reviewed by the Gear Isle product team. We transcribe supplement facts directly from manufacturer packaging. Found an error? Tell us.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Dietary supplement for adults 18 and over. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before use, especially if you have a medical condition, heart concerns, or take prescription medication (including nitrates). Keep out of reach of children.