Icariin — the signature flavonoid in Epimedium Herb Extract, better known in the trade as horny goat weed — is one of the most actively sourced botanicals in the men's health and bone-support categories. Yet buyers routinely trip over the same two questions: what the difference is between icariin and icariins, and how to verify a supplier's potency claim before paying for a full batch.
This guide walks through the specifications that matter, how the ingredient is used, and a checklist for vetting an Epimedium Extract supplier. If you are buying icariin powder in bulk, these are the details that separate a reliable quote from an expensive mistake.
Icariin vs Icariins: What Your Formula Actually Needs
This distinction is the single most important thing to get right in icariin sourcing, and it is easy to miss on a data sheet.
- Icariin is a specific compound — a prenylated flavonol glycoside with CAS 489-32-7, molecular formula C₃₃H₄₀O₁₅, and molecular weight 676.66. When a COA states "Icariin 20%," it means 20% of that one compound, measured by HPLC.
- Icariins (plural) is a broader term covering the family of icariin-type glycosides in Epimedium. An "Icariins 20%" spec is a total-flavonoid figure, not a single-compound figure.
Why this matters: a supplier quoting icariins 20% can appear to match a competitor quoting icariin 20%, while delivering less of the specific compound your label is built around. Before you compare quotes, confirm which one you are being offered and normalize everything to the single-compound icariin figure.
Justen's Epimedium Powder line carries both spec types — Icariin 10% and 20%, and Icariins 10% and 20% — so you can match the grade to your formula's claims.
Key Specifications: Icariin 10% vs 20% Grades
Icariin is standardized at several potencies, each suited to different finished products and cost targets:
| Grade | Typical use | Notes for buyers |
|---|---|---|
| Icariin 10% | Multi-ingredient blends, budget capsules | Economical entry grade; confirm single-compound icariin by HPLC, not total icariins. |
| Icariin 20% | Single-ingredient and premium formulas | Industry standard for label claims; request the full COA beyond the assay. |
| Icariins 10% / 20% | Total-flavonoid positioning | Read the spec carefully — "icariins" is a total figure, not icariin. |
All grades are extracted from the leaf of Epimedium Brevicornum Maxim (a source also referred to as Epimedium Sagittatum Extract in some markets) using ethanol and water, and supplied as a brown-yellow powder.
Reading the COA beyond the assay
Assay is only one line. Taking Justen's Icariin 20% (EHE021) as a reference, a complete COA should document:
- Identification and chemistry. Icariin CAS 489-32-7, molecular formula C₃₃H₄₀O₁₅, molecular weight 676.66, confirmed by TLC.
- Physical parameters. Brown-yellow powder, ≥95% through 80 mesh (USP<786>), loss on drying ≤5.0% (GB 5009.3), sulphated ash ≤5.0% (GB 5009.4).
- Heavy metals — lead ≤3 PPM, arsenic ≤1 PPM, cadmium ≤1 PPM, mercury ≤0.1 PPM, total heavy metals ≤10 PPM (GB 5009 series).
- Microbiological limits — total plate count ≤1000 cfu/g, yeast & mold ≤100 cfu/g, with E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus all negative (GB 4789 series).
- Non-GMO and non-irradiated status.
How Icariin Extract Is Used: Men's Health, Bone & Beyond
Epimedium has a long history in traditional use for vitality and reproductive health, and modern research has focused on several areas:
- Men's health and vitality. Icariin is the most-studied active in Epimedium for supporting energy and healthy circulation — the reason it anchors so many men's wellness formulas.
- Bone health. Studies have looked at icariin's role in supporting osteoblast activity, which is why it appears in bone-support and healthy-aging supplements.
- Antioxidant and adaptogenic support. As a flavonoid, icariin contributes antioxidant activity, and Epimedium is traditionally used as an adaptogen for stress resilience.
Compliance note: keep finished-product claims within your market's rules. Icariin is a dietary supplement ingredient — structure-label claims around "supports vitality," "supports bone health," or "antioxidant support," and avoid disease-treatment language.
Justen's Epimedium Herb Extract Range
Justen Biotechnology supplies the full icariin spectrum from Epimedium Brevicornum leaf, with a 1 kg MOQ and monthly capacity of 1–2 tons. Manufacturing runs on three dedicated lines — extraction, solvent extraction, and purification–drying–packaging — with redundant capacity for on-time delivery:
| Product | Key spec | Internal link |
|---|---|---|
| Epimedium Herb Extract Icariin 20% | EHE021 | view product |
| Epimedium Herb Extract Icariins 20% | EHE044 | view product |
| Epimedium Herb Extract Icariin 10% | EHE073 | view product |
| Epimedium Herb Extract Icariins 10% | EHE074 | view product |
| Epimedium Herb Extract Icariin Icariins | EHE106 | view product |