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The dried leaf of Epimedium brevicornu, E. sagittatum, E. pubescens, or E. koreanum (Berberidaceae). Enters the Liver and Kidney channels. Pungent, sweet, and warm, also known as xian ling pi (fairy spirit spleen). It is the key herb for warming and tonifying Kidney yang, treating Kidney-yang vacuity with impotence, seminal emission, and lumbar-knee weakness. It additionally dispels wind-dampness and strengthens sinews and bones for wind-cold-damp impediment.
祛风除湿之力较强
增强补肾壮阳之功
煎服6–10g。亦可浸酒、熬膏或入丸散。
Reference range for non-pregnant adults. Not a personalized prescription. Pregnancy, lactation, and pediatric use require specialist supervision.
Protective guidance only — when to avoid or use with caution. This block deliberately omits pregnancy, lactation, and pediatric dosing: any such use must be managed by a qualified TCM practitioner or appropriate specialist.
阴虚火旺者忌服。相火易动、梦遗滑精及阳事易举者不宜。久服或过量可致口干、鼻衄、头晕等动火伤阴之弊。
属温燥之品，阴虚火旺者忌用。现代研究显示有一定肝毒性报道，不宜长期超量服用，肝功能异常者慎用。
味辛，寒。主阴痿绝伤，茎中痛，利小便，益气力，强志。一名刚前。生山谷。
中品
淫羊藿，味甘气香，性温不寒，能益精气，乃手足阳明、三焦、命门药也，真阳不足者宜之。
@misc{bencaodian-yin-yang-huo,
author = {{Bencaodian Editorial}},
title = {Yín Yáng Huò 淫羊藿 (Epimedium) — Epimedii Folium},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {Bencao Dian: A Bilingual Knowledge Graph of Traditional Chinese Medicine},
url = {https://bencaodian.org/en/herbs/yin-yang-huo},
urldate = {2026-04-17},
note = {CC BY-SA 4.0}
}© Bencaodian Editorial · Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
淫羊藿主含淫羊藿苷及朝藿定等异戊烯基黄酮类成分，具有拟雄激素样、抑制 PDE5、促进成骨、免疫调节及心血管保护作用。
Epimedium contains prenylated flavonoids including icariin and epimedins, exhibiting androgen-like, PDE5-inhibitory, osteogenic, immunomodulatory and cardiovascular-protective actions.
Chen & Chen 引述淫羊藿苷体外显示 PDE5 抑制活性，提示与西地那非相似作用机制。
Chen & Chen cite in vitro PDE5 inhibition by icariin, suggesting a sildenafil-like mechanism.
《中国药典》以淫羊藿苷为含量测定指标。
The Chinese Pharmacopoeia uses icariin as the assay marker.
Bensky 提示淫羊藿温燥，阴虚火旺者慎用。
Bensky cautions that Yin Yang Huo is warming and drying; use with care in yin vacuity with flaring fire.
This section is provided for academic reference only and does not constitute medical advice.