Bulk Epimedium Extract Supplier — Icariin 10%, 20% & 98% HPLC, B2B Wholesale
Valeherb supplies Epimedium extract bulk wholesale — standardized Yin Yang Huo (淫羊藿), also known as horny goat weed — in three icariin grades: 10%, 20%, and 98% icariin by HPLC. Derived from the aerial parts of Epimedium grandiflorum, E. brevicornu, E. pubescens, and other pharmacopoeially recognized species, icariin-standardized Epimedium is one of the most commercially significant botanical actives in the men’s-health and healthy-aging supplement categories. Custom extraction ratios and ChP-compliant specifications are available on request.
Icariin, Icariside II, and Icaritin: Understanding the Compound Hierarchy
Three related compounds define the Epimedium specification landscape. Valeherb’s standardized products are the icariin grades (10–98%); icariside II and icaritin are shown here for specification context, as buyers sometimes conflate them with icariin.
| Compound | Structure | Research Characterization | Bioavailability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Icariin | Prenylated flavonol glycoside — parent compound | Studied in research for PDE5, osteoblast, and antioxidant activity[1] | Lower oral bioavailability — undergoes intestinal hydrolysis to metabolites |
| Icariside II (Baohuoside I) | Mono-glycoside — primary metabolite of icariin | Studied for greater PDE5 activity than icariin in research; improved membrane permeability[2] | Higher — absorbed more readily than the parent glycoside |
| Icaritin | Aglycone — fully deglycosylated form | Studied in estrogenic-pathway and bone research; distinct activity profile | Highest of the three, with a notably different activity profile |
Available Grades and Specifications
| Grade | Icariin Content (HPLC) | Appearance | Typical Downstream Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Extract | 10% icariin | Brown to light-brown powder | Entry-level men’s-health blends, herbal supplement stacks, TCM-format formulas |
| Standardized Extract | 20% icariin | Light-brown to tan powder | Mainstream men’s-health and bone-health capsules; the most common commercial specification |
| High-Purity Icariin | 98% icariin | Lemon-yellow powder | Premium formulas, research applications, analytical reference, maximum standardized potency |
The 98% icariin isolate is a characteristic lemon-yellow powder — a useful visual identity check alongside HPLC verification (lower-percentage extracts are browner due to residual plant matrix). All grades are standardized by HPLC against a certified icariin reference standard and ship with a per-batch COA.
Research Across Three Areas
1. Male Vitality and Circulation
Icariin has been studied in research for phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) activity and for nitric-oxide-mediated effects on vascular tone. A 2010 primary in-vitro and in-vivo study (Shindel et al.) examined icariin’s PDE5-inhibitory and neurotrophic effects in cell and animal models.[2] The magnitude of PDE5 activity reported for icariin in research is far below that of pharmaceutical PDE5 inhibitors — relevant context for compliant label positioning. On finished products, compliant structure/function language such as “supports male reproductive health” or “supports healthy circulation” is appropriate under DSHEA; drug-equivalent or erectile-dysfunction-treatment claims are not.
2. Bone Metabolism
Icariin has been characterized in research for effects on bone-cell activity (osteoblast and osteoclast pathways). A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (Zhang et al., 10 RCTs) examined Epimedium and its active components in bone-density research.[3] This supports Epimedium’s relevance in the bone-health supplement category, where compliant claims are limited to “supports bone health”-type structure/function wording.
3. Antioxidant Activity
A review by Sze et al. (2010) characterized the antioxidant properties of Herba Epimedii and its flavonoids, linking activity to induction of endogenous free-radical-scavenging enzymes (catalase, glutathione peroxidase) and the electron-donating capacity of flavonoids.[1] Antioxidant is among the most readily substantiated structure/function claim types and broadens Epimedium’s positioning within healthy-aging stacks.
The above describe published research on the Epimedium compounds and are provided for informational purposes only; they are not claims for any finished product.
Formulation Applications
- Men’s-health supplements: 20% icariin at 300–500 mg per serving is the common format; the 98% isolate is used where a precise, high-potency icariin dose is required. Pairs with Tribulus terrestris, maca root, and zinc in comprehensive men’s-wellness formulas
- Bone-health formulas: 20% extract alongside calcium, vitamin D3, and vitamin K2, with claims kept to compliant “supports bone health” structure/function wording — a growing category for adults over 50
- Healthy-aging stacks: Combined with NMN, resveratrol, and Cistanche extract for multi-ingredient positioning; the antioxidant profile is the most defensible cross-category claim basis
- TCM-format practitioner supplements: 10% standard extract in traditional Yin Yang Huo formulas; ChP 2020 compliance documentation available
Sourcing Criteria
| Criterion | What to Require |
|---|---|
| Compound-Specific HPLC | Specify icariin as the marker and require individual compound identification on the HPLC COA against a certified reference standard — not just “total flavonoids.” Confirm it is icariin (not icariside II or icaritin) |
| Species Documentation | Confirm Epimedium species on the COA. ChP 2020 lists E. brevicornu, E. sagittatum, E. pubescens, E. wushanense, and E. koreanum under the Herba Epimedii monograph[4] |
| Plant Part | Aerial parts (leaves and stems) — the commercial source for icariin-standardized extract. Root has a different profile |
| Third-Party COA | Icariin content (HPLC), heavy metals (USP <232>), pesticide residues, microbial limits (USP <2021>), moisture — per production batch from an accredited laboratory |
| Certifications | Non-GMO; Kosher/Halal for relevant markets; FDA-registered facility for US supplement supply |
Regulatory Guidance
- US (DSHEA): Structure/function claims (e.g., male reproductive health, healthy circulation, bone health, antioxidant support) must be substantiated and disclaimed by the marketer; antioxidant-type claims are typically the most readily supported. PDE5-mechanism references require careful wording — any claim implying pharmaceutical-equivalent efficacy or erectile-dysfunction treatment is a drug claim requiring NDA approval
- China (ChP 2020): Herba Epimedii (淫羊藿) is a listed medicinal herb with a standardized monograph covering five accepted species[4]
- EU: Not on the EU authorized health-claims register; traditional-use status may apply in some member states
- Canada (NHPs): Epimedium (Yin Yang Huo) has a licensed Health Canada monograph; permitted claims are defined by that monograph
References
[1] Sze SCW, Tong Y, Ng TB, Cheng CLY, Cheung HP. (2010). Herba Epimedii: anti-oxidative properties and its medical implications. Molecules, 15(11), 7861–7870. doi:10.3390/molecules15117861
[2] Shindel AW, Xin Z-C, Lin G, et al. (2010). Erectogenic and neurotrophic effects of icariin, a purified extract of horny goat weed (Epimedium spp.) in vitro and in vivo. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 7(4 Pt 1), 1518–1528. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01699.x
[3] Zhang X-Q, Hua Z-H, Huang C-J, et al. (2025). The efficacy and safety of Epimedium in the treatment of primary osteoporosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Medicine, 12, 1675160. doi:10.3389/fmed.2025.1675160
[4] Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission. (2020). Herba Epimedii (淫羊藿). In: Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China, Vol. I. China Medical Science Press.
