Turmeric Sex Benefits and Aphrodisiac Use

The health benefits of turmeric have made it one of the most popular ingredients on the spice shelf. You could even call it the golden child of the spice world! But while it’s acclaimed for many impressive health benefits, the ones we’re focusing on here are turmeric sex benefits aphrodisiac uses.

The use of turmeric in history

Turmeric comes from the Indian sub-continent and Southeast Asia. It is a member of the ginger family. Turmeric has been used as both food and medicine throughout history. It is credited with relieving inflammation and the pain of arthritis as well as improving brain function. It is also known to return a natural glow to tired skin.

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And if you have experience using it in cooking, you will probably not be surprised to learn that it’s also been used as a fabric dye.

Turmeric aphrodisiac history

Because turmeric originated in India and Southeast Asia, its aphrodisiac history is rooted in cultures from these regions. According to Erotic Cuisine: a natural history of aphrodisiac cookery, the Malays are particularly fond of turmeric as an aphrodisiac as well as a childbirth tonic.

Turmeric’s use in Ayurvedic medicine includes boosting mood. (Some say this can be a gateway to intimacy.) But has also been used to promote blood circulation. And this may be where the sexual benefits of turmeric truly lie.

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Does turmeric help sexually?

The abilities of turmeric as an aphrodisiac even made their way into the great Indian tome of lovemaking, Kama Sutra. In the book, the spice is mentioned as one of the key ingredients in distilled liquor. This use as a sex tonic is repeated in other cultures.

According to The Encyclopedia of Aphrodisiacs: Psychoactive Substances for Use in Sexual Practices, turmeric was used in an Indonesian love tonic, mixed with fennel and galangal. The book also recommends 1 gram per cup of water as an infusion to accompany tantric sex.

Of course, all of these historic uses for turmeric sexually were based in folklore, not science. But thanks to modern nutritional research and medicine, we’re starting to understand just how turmeric may be able to give your sex life a boost, particularly if you are a man.

Turmeric benefits for men

Some of the most interesting research on turmeric is the spice’s potential impact on men’s sexual health. A report published in 2016 in The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology offers some of the most compelling research to date on the benefits of turmeric as a sexual aid.

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According to the study, which used male rats as test subjects, a compound called curcumin in turmeric can cause significant increase in testosterone serum totals.

A subsequent study involving humans revealed that even a small dose of curcumin causes a significant increase in good cholesterol. Which means it can greatly impact heart health. And if it improves heart health, then it also has the potential to improve sexual health.

Curcumin and testosterone

In addition, recent studies have shown fairly conclusively that curcumin can increase testosterone, a sex hormone closely linked with men’s libido. This means that turmeric has the potential to be a potent natural libido booster for men. The question remains how much curcumin is enough. And what impact does it have on women’s sexual health? Could it also boost women’s sex drive? These are among the many mysteries of turmeric’s health benefits still waiting to be answered.

Can turmeric treat erectile dysfunction?

And, according to a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine in 2018, a topical ointment made from the curcumin in  turmeric can help treat erectile dysfunction. With regular application, the ointment, which reduced inflammation, increased blood flow to the groin and improved vasodilation.

Unfortunately, the study was done with rats and to my knowledge there’s been no conclusive follow up studies on human subjects. But for men suffering from erectile problems, it could be worth discussing the potential of turmeric helping sexually with their doctor.

Are you using turmeric all wrong?

Now, if you’re planning to boost your sexual health–or reap any of the health benefits of turmeric–there’s something about curcumin you should know.

Many of the recipes recommending turmeric as the flavoring of a “healing tonic” or curative soup, tea or porridge are using it all wrong. That’s not to say that you can’t use turmeric in any dish for flavoring and color. But if you’re trying to use turmeric for its health benefits, you should use it in combination with black pepper.

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Why you need to combine turmeric with black pepper or fat

Why? The curcumin in turmeric is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream. But when it’s combined with a compound in black pepper called piperine, the absorbency increases by about 2,000%!

Another way to increase the absorption of curcumin is by combining turmeric with fat. Some studies have suggested that, because turmeric is fat-soluable, it will be better absorbed with fat.

Should you use fresh or powdered turmeric?

The aphrodisiac benefits of turmeric to sexual health and libido appear to be equally powerful when using fresh or the powdered spice. But combining it with the right compound to release its power appears to be the key to its success.

Unleash turmeric sex benefits with some of our favorite recipes

Meyer Lemon Quinoa with Turmeric, Black Pepper and Basil

Savory Porridge with Turmeric, Kimchee and Fried Eggs

Cashew and Squash Daal

Lamb Tagine with Pomegranates

Discover more of the world’s greatest aphrodisiacs

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