Garlic Aphrodisiac & Health Benefits

Is garlic an aphrodisiac?

Most people are surprised to learn that garlic is an aphrodisiac. But the benefits of garlic have a string attached. You see, unlike most aphrodisiac foods, aphrodisiac garlic is one that both lovers must eat for its magical properties to manifest powers of romance.

The reason? Well, that’s probably obvious but I’ll explain just in case. It’s no mystery of science or magic but one of common sense. A whiff of (maybe not so) aphrodisiac garlic breath is about as arousing as the smell of a zoo on a hot, summer day. The only antidote is to partake with your lover in the feast of sweet stink. This way, you numb your senses to any unappealing odor.

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The history of aphrodisiac garlic

The ancient Romans clearly weren’t put off by the pungency of garlic breath. According to Temptations: igniting the pleasures and power of aphrodisiacs, in ancient Rome it was believed that garlic stimulated the penis. And a garlic juice drink was served as an aphrodisiac elixir.

But the belief that garlic was a bringer of sexual pleasure reached far beyond the culture of ancient Rome. According to the Telmud, (the text of rabbinic Judaism), garlic increased passion and fertility. It is believed that the tie between garlic and procreation is the reason for the prominence of garlic in traditional, Jewish cooking.

However some religions discouraged the ingestion of garlic. At one time it was forbidden for Buddhist priests to eat garlic because of the potential power to stimulate unwanted sexual desire.

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Garlic health benefits

Beyond its reputation as an aphrodisiac food, the benefits of garlic are many. In fact, it seems like there are theories that garlic can cure just about anything. (This is also true, to some extent, of the other members of the allium family. Alliums also include leeks, chives, onions and shallots.) Some proclamations may be a little thin on truth. But here are some of garlic’s benefits that are recognized as effective. As we start to examine the science, it becomes easier to understand the nutritional benefits that make garlic aphrodisiac.

In France, garlic is boiled in a pungent soup as a treatment for the common cold. And although this may have started as a folkloric treatment, the scientific community supports the claim. In one double blind study, daily garlic consumption reduced the rate of common colds by 63%. That alone may be reason for you to start consuming more garlic!

Garlic is also proven to help lower LDL cholesterol. (LDL is the “bad” kind of cholesterol.) And it appears to be most effective on individuals with high cholesterol. Although this doesn’t immediately impact your sex life, it does effect your heart health. And a healthy heart keeps the blood pumping and makes sexual arousal possible. So next time you consider your cholesterol, remember the effect it can have on your sex life!

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How does garlic help sexually?

If the health benefits of garlic weren’t enough to sell you on the fact that it could help your sex life, there are a few facts about garlic and health that relate specifically to sexual health.

For starters, there’s an enzyme in aphrodisiac garlic called allinase. It is released when garlic is chopped or crushed. It results in a compound called allicin, which improves blood flow. There’s much talk about how allicin can potentially help men. But allicin thought to increase sexual desire by increasing blood flow to the sex organs, which is beneficial to women as well as men.

Garlic for women

Another way garlic benefits women sexually is by boosting nitric oxide levels. Nitric oxide helps blood vessels dilate. This benefit is noted for helping improve exercise performance but nitric oxide also regulates blood flow to the sex organs. We often talk about how improved blood flow can help men to increase sexual arousal. But increasing nitric oxide levels can help women achieve sexual pleasure. One study in 2002 found that garlic temporarily boosted nitric oxide within one hour of consumption.

Vitamins & minerals to support sexual health

This aphrodisiac is surprisingly nutritious, although most of us don’t eat garlic in large enough quantities to make a significant impact. But it does offer trace amounts of several nutrients important to your sex life–sexual nutrition necessary for women’s sexual health as well as men’s. These nutrients include vitamin C, vitamin B6, iron, potassium, selenium and manganese. And you might be surprised to learn that garlic is also a source, (although marginal), of fiber and protein.

There are other benefits of garlic specific to men’s health and sexual attraction. There are so many, in fact, and some are quite surprising, that we’ve named garlic one of the 10 Best Foods For Men. So if you’re interested in finding natural boosters for men’s sexual health, you’ll want to check this out!

A surprising link between garlic and sex

Maybe you’re one of those picky eaters who tends to shy away from the stronger of culinary smells. But if you are, you might want to chew on this: A scientific study proved that the chemical substance creating aphrodisiac garlic’s aroma, (the one that lingers in the air and also creates garlic breath), is one of the chemicals present in female sexual secretions.

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This article was written in 2010 and most recently updated in February, 2021.