Epimedium Herb (Xian Ling Pi — Synonym)

Chinese
仙灵脾
Pinyin
Xian Ling Pi
Latin
Herba Epimedii

TCM Properties

Taste
acrid, sweet
Temperature
warm
Channels
Kidney, Liver

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Tonifies Kidney Yang and replenishes Essence
  • Strengthens sinews and bones
  • Dispels Wind-Cold-Dampness and relieves Bi syndrome
  • Warms Yang — impotence, infertility, cold uterine patterns

Secondary Actions

  • Anti-osteoporotic and aphrodisiac — see herb #60 (Yin Yang Huo) for full detail

Classical References

  • SYNONYM NOTE: Xian Ling Pi (仙灵脾, 'Immortal Spleen Herb') is the classical/archaic pharmacopoeial name for the same plant as Yin Yang Huo (淫羊藿, herb #60). Both names appear throughout classical materia medica literature and refer to the same species group (Epimedium brevicornu, E. sagittatum, E. pubescens, E. koreanum, or E. wushanense). The XLSX source imported them as two separate entries. The primary full monograph for this species is herb #60 (all-grass-of-longspur-epimedium). All pharmacological and safety data, including drug interactions, are shared with that entry.
  • Ben Cao Gang Mu uses both names: Yin Yang Huo is the popular folk name; Xian Ling Pi appears in earlier Song-dynasty texts and is still used in formal pharmacy contexts

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Icariin (principal prenylated flavonoid; PDE5 inhibitor)
  • Icariside I and II
  • Icaritin (estrogenic aglycone)
  • Epimedin A, B, C
  • Kaempferol and quercetin glycosides

Studied Effects

  • See herb #60 (all-grass-of-longspur-epimedium / Yin Yang Huo) for complete pharmacological data — bone metabolism, erectile dysfunction, aromatase promotion, CYP3A4 induction

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Yin deficiency with Heat signs
  • Hormone-sensitive conditions (breast cancer, endometriosis) — estrogenic activity

Cautions

  • Standard dose 6–15g decoction
  • This entry (herb #61, Xian Ling Pi) is a synonym of herb #60 (Yin Yang Huo) — identical species, identical safety and drug interaction profile
  • See herb #60 for full drug interaction detail: aromatase inhibitors, PDE5 inhibitors, CYP3A4 substrates

Drug Interactions

  • Aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole, exemestane, letrozole): icariin promotes aromatase activity — potential reduction in drug efficacy
  • PDE5 inhibitors (sildenafil, tadalafil): pharmacodynamic additive effect; avoid concurrent use
  • CYP3A4 substrates: prolonged use may induce CYP3A4

Conditions