Epimedium koreanum
Epimedium koreanum, commonly known as Korean Horny Goat Weed, is a perennial herb native to East Asia. Renowned in traditional medicine, it contains bioactive flavonoids like icariin. These compounds are widely studied for their potential to support reproductive health, enhance vitality, and promote overall bone and cardiovascular wellness.
- Scientific name: Epimedium koreanum
- Family: Berberidaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Epimedium koreanum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Ranunculales. Finally, it is a member of the Berberidaceae family and falls under the genus Epimedium.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ranunculales | WCVP |
| Family | Berberidaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Epimedium | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Epimedium koreanum, is known by various common names depending on the region and language. In Japan, it is referred to as キバナイカリソウ, while in Korea, it is widely recognized as 삼지구엽초. Its name in Russian is Эпимедиум корейский, and in Azerbaijan, it is called Koreya epimediumu. Additionally, in Chinese, the plant is known as 朝鲜淫羊藿.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ja | キバナイカリソウ | Wikidata |
| ko | 삼지구엽초 | Wikidata |
| ru | Эпимедиум корейский | Wikidata |
| az | Koreya epimediumu | Wikidata |
| zh | 朝鲜淫羊藿 | Wikidata |
| ko | 음양곽 | Wikidata |
| zh | 淫羊蕾 | Wikidata |
| zh | 淫羊蕾根 | Wikidata |
| zh | 淫羊藿 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions within Eastern Asia. In the northernmost reaches of its range, it can be found in the Primorye region of the Russian Far East. Its presence extends significantly into China, spanning both the Manchuria and China Southeast territories. Furthermore, the species is widely distributed throughout the Korean Peninsula in Eastern Asia. Finally, its geographical footprint includes the islands of Japan, completing its reach across the Eastern Asian landscape.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Russian Far East | Primorye | WCVP |
| China | Manchuria | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Japan | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Korea | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Epimedium koreanum, is highly valued in traditional medicine, primarily for its therapeutic properties derived from its aerial parts. When processed for medicinal use, the aerial part of the species is harvested to ensure maximum potency of its active compounds. In pharmacological contexts, the dried material is often referred to as Epimedium crude herb, representing the raw form of the botanical specimen before further refinement. In official pharmacopoeias, the medicinal substance is formally identified as Epimedii Herb\\a, a term that encompasses the leaves and stems used to treat various systemic conditions.- Total parts
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 5
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| aerial parts | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aerial part | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Epimedium crude herb | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Epimedii Herb\\a | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Epimedium koreanum has 19 reported phytochemicals identified across 24 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include icariin, flavonoids, 8-prenylkaempferol, Epimedokoreanin B, ICA.
- Total chemicals
- 19
- Scientific sources
- 24
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| icariin | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 8-prenylkaempferol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Epimedokoreanin B | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ICA | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Icariin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| baohuoside I | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| baohuoside II | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| caohuoside-B | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| epimedin A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Epimedium koreanum has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiplatelet, Antithrombotic, Antitumor.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antiplatelet | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antithrombotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Epimedium koreanum has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include osteoporosis, Multiple myeloma, aging, arrhythmia, cardiovascular diseases.
- Total uses
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| osteoporosis | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Multiple myeloma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aging | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| arrhythmia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiovascular diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hematological malignancy | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| impotence | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| thrombosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |