What does horny goat weed with maca actually give you? In Primal Root+™, horny goat weed (epimedium) is the lead ingredient at 1,000 mg per two-capsule serving, standardized to 100 mg of icariins. Maca root, longjack, muira puama, Asian ginseng and L-arginine sit around it in smaller amounts. Together they are a traditional vitality pairing that supports a healthy libido and improved blood flow.* Below, each of the nine actives is explained in plain language, with the amount from the label.
Key takeaways
- Horny goat weed (epimedium) is the lead ingredient, and it carries most of the weight of the formula.
- Maca, ginseng and muira puama are traditional vitality herbs from South America and Asia.
- Every one of the nine actives is listed with its own amount, so there is no hidden blend.
- The label directs two capsules once a day, 20-30 minutes before a meal, so one bottle lasts 30 days.
Why pair horny goat weed with maca?
Horny goat weed and maca come from opposite sides of the world, yet traditional herbal practice landed on similar uses for both. Epimedium has been part of Chinese herbal formulas for centuries, where it was used for vitality and fatigue. Maca is a root vegetable grown high in the Peruvian Andes, eaten there as a food and used as a tonic for energy and stamina.
Pairing them is a way to cover two angles at once: a concentrated botanical extract (epimedium) and a whole-root food (maca). Many vitality formulas pair horny goat weed with maca for that reason. All nine actives carry their own amount on the label. You can see exactly how much of each one you take, which is the first thing worth checking on any formula in this category.
Primal Root+ ingredients, one by one
Here is the full active list from the label, per serving of two capsules, in the order it is easiest to understand.
| Ingredient | Per serving (2 capsules) | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Epimedium extract (horny goat weed) | 1,000 mg, with 100 mg icariins | The lead botanical, from the leaves and stems |
| Maca powder (root) | 62.5 mg | Andean root vegetable |
| L-phenylalanine | 30 mg | An amino acid found in protein foods |
| Muira puama powder (root) | 20 mg | Traditional Amazonian vitality herb |
| L-arginine | 20 mg | An amino acid the body uses to make nitric oxide |
| Asian ginseng powder (root) | 20 mg | Panax ginseng, a classic tonic root |
| Saw palmetto powder (fruit) | 10 mg | Berry of a small palm |
| Longjack root extract 100:1 | 1 mg | Eurycoma longifolia, also called tongkat ali |
| Polypody extract 20:1 | 1 mg | Polypodium vulgare, a fern |
Epimedium (horny goat weed)
Horny goat weed (epimedium) is the lead ingredient, and it carries most of the weight of the formula. Its best-studied compounds are flavonoids called icariins, which is why the label states the icariin amount and not just the plant weight. Memorial Sloan Kettering's herb database describes epimedium as a traditional Chinese herb for fatigue and vitality, and notes that human research is still limited. That is a fair summary: the traditional use is long, the clinical evidence is early.
Maca root
Maca, ginseng and muira puama are traditional vitality herbs from South America and Asia. Maca is the most food-like of them, a relative of the radish that has been cultivated in the Andes for about 2,000 years. In Primal Root+ it plays a supporting role. If maca is the part that interests you most, our Maca Root+™ formula carries far more of it, 1,500 mg of black, red and yellow maca per serving (see the related reading below).
Longjack, muira puama and polypody
Longjack (tongkat ali) is a Southeast Asian root used in traditional vitality tonics. The 100:1 figure means the extract is concentrated from roughly 100 parts of raw root to one part of extract. Muira puama is an Amazonian root with a similar traditional role. Polypody is a common fern with a long history in European folk herbalism. All three are present in small, measured amounts.
Asian ginseng and L-arginine
Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) is one of the most studied herbs in the world for energy and physical stamina, and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health summarizes that research. L-arginine is an amino acid your body uses to make nitric oxide, a molecule involved in how blood vessels relax. In the formula they sit alongside epimedium to support improved blood flow and help fight physical fatigue.*
L-phenylalanine and saw palmetto
L-phenylalanine is an essential amino acid that you also get from protein foods such as eggs, fish and dairy. Saw palmetto is the berry of a small palm native to the southeastern United States. Both are present in modest amounts to round out the formula.
What Primal Root+ supports
Primal Root+ is a structure and function supplement, so it is worth being precise about what it is for. The formula:
- brings together herbs traditionally used to support a healthy libido;*
- supports improved blood flow;*
- helps fight physical fatigue and supports stamina.*
It is not a quick-acting product and it is not a substitute for medical care. Herbal vitality formulas tend to be something people take steadily for several weeks while they pay attention to the basics that matter more: sleep, regular movement, stress and a balanced diet.
How to take horny goat weed with maca in Primal Root+
The label directs two capsules once a day, 20-30 minutes before a meal, so one bottle lasts 30 days. The full Suggested Use reads: take two (2) capsules once a day, 20-30 minutes before a meal with an 8 fl oz glass of water, or as directed by your healthcare professional.
- Pick a fixed moment. Before breakfast or before lunch are the easiest to remember.
- Take both capsules at once, with a full glass of water, and do not exceed the serving on the label.
- Give it time. Most people judge a botanical formula after several weeks of steady use, not after a few days.
The capsule is gelatin, and the formula is caffeine-free, gluten-free and non-GMO.
Who should check with a professional first
The label warning is clear: pregnant or nursing mothers, anyone under 18, and anyone with a known medical condition should talk to a physician before using this or any dietary supplement. Epimedium, ginseng and L-arginine can each interact with some medicines. L-arginine can add to the effect of blood pressure medicines, and Memorial Sloan Kettering advises against epimedium for people with heart disease. Bring the bottle to your next appointment if you take a prescription. Do not exceed the recommended dose.
Why the label and the testing matter here
Vitality supplements are a category where quality varies widely. Primal Root+ lists every active with its amount, and every batch is third-party tested for purity and potency by an outside lab. It is manufactured in USA with globally sourced materials, in an NSF-certified, GMP-certified, FDA-registered facility. You can read how we test on our Our Standards page.
Frequently asked questions about horny goat weed with maca
Is horny goat weed the same as epimedium?
Yes. Horny goat weed is the common name for plants in the Epimedium genus. Primal Root+ uses Epimedium sagittatum, from the aerial parts of the plant, standardized to icariins.
How much horny goat weed is in Primal Root+?
Each two-capsule serving holds 1,000 mg of epimedium extract, which provides 100 mg of icariins. That is the largest single ingredient in the formula by a wide margin.
Can I take Primal Root+ with my maca supplement?
Primal Root+ already contains 62.5 mg of maca root per serving. If you also take a separate maca product, check the total with your healthcare provider, especially if you take other supplements or medicines.
Does Primal Root+ contain caffeine?
No. The formula is caffeine-free.
How long does one bottle last?
The bottle holds 60 capsules. At two capsules once a day, that is 30 days.
Related reading from our Wellness Hub
- Maca: Meet Maca Root+™ for Energy, Mood & Libido
- Natural Energy: Food, Sleep, and Adaptogens
- How to Read a Supplement Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Sources
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: About Herbs, Epimedium
- Gonzales GF. Ethnobiology and Ethnopharmacology of Lepidium meyenii (Maca). Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012
- NCCIH: Asian Ginseng
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: About Herbs, Arginine. Last updated February 10, 2022.
Individual results vary.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
