Low, rhizomatous perennial herb, to 30 cm tall. Rhizome creeping, covered with many filiform roots. Base of stems surrounded with scale-like leaves. Leaves alternate, long-petiolate, ternately divided twice; leaflets ovate, acuminate, cordate, 5-13.5 cm long, 1,5-7 cm wide, with margin setose. Flowers small, pale yellowish; sepals 8, the outer 4 unequal, in 2 pairs, soon falling, the inner 4 petaloid, reflexed at flowering time; petals 4, extended into spurs; stamens 4, ovary with several ovules. Follicles 10-13 mm long, 5-6 mm across.

Antiasthmatic, antibacterial, antirheumatic, antitussive, aphrodisiac, hypoglycaemic, tonic and vasodilator (aerial parts of the plant)

WHO/WPRO-Medicinal plants in the Republic of Korea
Herbasin Chinese herb database - Herba Epimedii (Yin Yang Huo)

The aerial parts of the plant are used in the treatment of spermatorrhoea, impotence,lumbago, arthritis, numbness and weakness of the limbs, hypertension, chronic bronchitis and forgetfulness.

Jing-Nuan Wu. An Illustrated Chinese Materia Medica. P: 282, Oxford University Press, Inc.2005.