淫羊藿

yínyánghuò

noun

Measure Word

一种淫羊藿 zhǒng

Meanings

1 Epimedium (a flowering plant)
2 horny goat weed
3 barrenwort

Characters

lewd; excessive

leaves of beans/herbs

Examples

淫羊藿是一种常见的中药材。

Yínyánghuò shì yī zhǒng chángjiàn de zhōngyào cái.

Epimedium is a common ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine.

中医认为淫羊藿有补肾的功效。

Zhōngyī rènwéi yínyánghuò yǒu bǔshèn de gōngxiào.

Traditional Chinese medicine holds that Epimedium tonifies the kidneys.

Tips

history

The name literally means 'lewd-goat-leaf'. Chinese folk tradition claims a shepherd noticed his goats becoming unusually amorous after eating the plant — hence both the Chinese 淫羊 (lewd goat) and the English 'horny goat weed'. Recorded in 《神农本草经》 (Shénnóng Běncǎojīng, the Han-era classic of materia medica).

Stroke Order

淫 yín

羊 yáng

藿 huò