Ingredient profile
Horny Goat Weed in SodaBoost: Epimedium Dose, Evidence and Heart Cautions
Horny goat weed (epimedium) is the last of nine ingredients in the 82 mg SodaBoost blend, so it is the lightest. It likely weighs well under 5 mg per gummy. Stand-alone pills hold 250-500 mg (LiverTox, Horny goat weed), human evidence is thin, and rapid or irregular heartbeat has been reported (MSKCC, Epimedium).
Written by the SodaBoost editorial teamUpdated
The basics
What is horny goat weed?
Horny goat weed is the common name for several Epimedium plants. They are low, leafy herbs with heart-shaped leaves, native to China and other parts of Asia. The leaves are used in traditional Chinese medicine as a tonic.
The compound most often studied is icariin. Most of that research is in cells and animals, not people (MSKCC, Epimedium). Memorial Sloan Kettering says more study is needed before any use in sexual function can be supported (MSKCC, Epimedium).
On the SodaBoost label it is "Horny Goat Weed Extract," the ninth and final blend ingredient. The label does not name the species or say how much icariin the extract contains. See how it compares with the rest on our ingredients overview.
Profile
Horny goat weed in SodaBoost at a glance
What the label prints, next to what is known from research and product monographs.
| Label name | Horny Goat Weed Extract |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Epimedium species |
| What it is | Leafy herb |
| Position in the blend | 9 of 9 (labels list blend ingredients from most to least by weight) |
| Amount per gummy | Not disclosed. Part of the 82 mg proprietary blend. |
| Amount used in research | Sold as 250-500 mg pills; no human efficacy trials |
| Strength of evidence | No human trials |
| Traditional or marketed use | Traditional Chinese tonic (icariin) |
| Main caution | Rapid or irregular heartbeat reported; avoid with heart disease. |
Dose
How much horny goat weed is in one SodaBoost gummy?
No amount is printed for it. Because blend ingredients are listed from most to least by weight (FDA, Labeling guide), last place means horny goat weed is the lightest of the nine.
It sits four places below caffeine, which is 5 mg. So it most likely weighs 5 mg or less, and probably less than the 9 mg average share of the 82 mg blend.
| Amount | Milligrams | Share of a 250 mg pill |
|---|---|---|
| Likely upper limit from label order | 5 mg | 2% |
| Average share of the blend (likely above its real share) | About 9 mg | About 4% |
| Typical stand-alone pill, low end | 250 mg | 100% |
| Typical stand-alone pill, high end | 500 mg | 200% |
| Dose shown to help in human trials | Not established | Not established |
Pill sizes are what shops sell, not what research has proven. No human trial has set an effective dose for horny goat weed.
Research
Does horny goat weed work? What the research shows
There is no solid human evidence that it works. Memorial Sloan Kettering lists sexual function as a use that needs more study (MSKCC, Epimedium).
Most findings come from lab dishes and animals given icariin or concentrated extracts. Those results often do not hold up in people, and they say nothing about a few milligrams in a gummy.
- No human trial has shown a benefit for energy or stamina.
- No trial has tested SodaBoost or its 82 mg blend.
- The label does not state species or icariin content, so even lab results cannot be matched to it.
SodaBoost is not an ED treatment, and horny goat weed is not a stand-in for one. Health experts advise talking with a professional before using any supplement for erection problems (NIDDK, ED treatment).
Safety
Is horny goat weed safe for your heart?
It may not be for everyone. Rapid, irregular heartbeat has been reported with horny goat weed, and Memorial Sloan Kettering advises people with heart disease to avoid it (MSKCC, Epimedium).
Heart rhythm
Reports describe a fast, irregular heartbeat (MSKCC, Epimedium). A racing or fluttering heart, chest pain or fainting needs urgent care.
Liver risk looks low
LiverTox rates horny goat weed an unlikely cause of liver injury (LiverTox, Horny goat weed). That does not cover the other herbs in the blend.
| Topic | What is known |
|---|---|
| Heart rhythm | Rapid, irregular heartbeat reported |
| Heart disease | Advised to avoid |
| Liver | Unlikely cause of liver injury |
| Long-term safety | Not established |
SodaBoost also contains caffeine and green tea extract, which are stimulants. If your heart races easily, count them too. Read about the 5 mg dose on our caffeine in SodaBoost page and the full list of cautions in the SodaBoost side effects guide.
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Who should not take horny goat weed?
People with heart disease or a history of irregular heartbeat should avoid it (MSKCC, Epimedium). Anyone who is pregnant, nursing or under 18 should also skip SodaBoost.
If you have heart disease, an arrhythmia, chest pain or take heart medicine, do not start SodaBoost without your doctor's OK.
The quick check below covers the other common reasons to pause. It is a checklist, not a diagnosis.
On the bottle
Where horny goat weed appears on the SodaBoost label
Horny goat weed is the final entry in the Supplement Facts blend, printed as "Horny Goat Weed Extract." Like seven of the other eight, it has no amount next to it.
The brand graphic below does not show it. Every printed line, from calories to storage, is typed out on our SodaBoost Supplement Facts page.
Bottom line
Is horny goat weed in SodaBoost worth it?
Horny goat weed is the lightest ingredient in the blend and has no human trials showing a benefit. Its main known risk is heart rhythm trouble. For most healthy adults the trace amount is unlikely to matter much either way. For anyone with a heart condition, it is a clear reason to talk to a doctor before buying.
Keep exploring
Read about the other SodaBoost ingredients
Horny goat weed comes right after tribulus on the label. The list loops back to muira puama, the first and heaviest ingredient.
FAQ
Horny goat weed in SodaBoost: common questions
What does horny goat weed do for men?
Human evidence for any benefit is thin. It is a traditional Chinese tonic, and its compound icariin has mostly been studied in lab and animal work. Memorial Sloan Kettering says more study is needed. SodaBoost is not an ED treatment.
How much horny goat weed is in SodaBoost?
SodaBoost does not print it. It is the ninth and last ingredient in an 82 mg blend, so it is the lightest of the nine and most likely under 5 mg per gummy. Stand-alone horny goat weed pills usually hold 250 to 500 mg.
Is horny goat weed bad for your heart?
It can be a problem for some people. Rapid, irregular heartbeat has been reported, and people with heart disease are advised to avoid it. Anyone with a heart condition should ask a doctor before taking SodaBoost.
What are the side effects of horny goat weed?
The most serious reported side effect is a fast, irregular heartbeat. LiverTox considers it an unlikely cause of liver injury. Long-term safety has not been studied well, so stop and call a doctor if anything unusual happens.
What is icariin?
Icariin is a plant compound found in horny goat weed. It is the part researchers study most, mainly in cells and animals. The SodaBoost label does not say how much icariin its extract contains.
Can I take horny goat weed with caffeine?
Most healthy adults can, but both may affect the heart. SodaBoost has 5 mg of caffeine plus green tea extract. If you get palpitations from coffee, or have a heart condition, ask a doctor before adding it.
Is epimedium the same as horny goat weed?
Yes. Horny goat weed is the common name for several Epimedium plants. Labels may use either name. The SodaBoost label says Horny Goat Weed Extract and does not name the species.
Who wrote this
Written and reviewed by
Plain-language pages built from the label, the sales page and linked public health sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by a U.S. stocking partner, not by the manufacturer. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
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All nine blend ingredients in label order, what each was studied for, and how 82 mg compares with research doses.
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