Can Cloves Help Sexual Performance? What Research Shows

Cloves haven't been shown to directly improve sexual performance in men. They contain eugenol and other compounds that affect blood vessels and hormones in lab and animal studies, which is why they have a long history as a traditional aphrodisiac. But there are no solid human trials showing cloves improve erections, libido, or testosterone.

That doesn't make cloves useless. They're a flavorful, antioxidant-rich spice that fits a healthy diet. Here's what the research does and doesn't show, how to use cloves safely, and what to try if you need more reliable results.

• Cloves contain eugenol, flavonoids, and other compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in lab and animal research.
• Most research on cloves and sexual function is in animals. There's no proven human dose for sexual performance.
• Culinary amounts of cloves are generally safe. Clove supplements can interact with blood thinners and diabetes medications.
• Never swallow clove essential oil, which can be toxic.
• For consistent erectile dysfunction, prescription treatment is far more reliable. In clinical trials, 67–89% of men taking PDE5 inhibitors had improved erections.

Cloves are the dried flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum, an evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia. They're a common kitchen spice, and traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda and Unani have used them for centuries as a stimulant and aphrodisiac.

Active Compounds in Cloves

The main active compound in cloves is eugenol, which makes up about 70–85% of clove essential oil. Cloves also contain:

• Beta-caryophyllene, an anti-inflammatory compound
• Flavonoids, antioxidants that help protect cells from damage
• Tannins, polyphenols with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects

In lab testing, cloves show some of the strongest antioxidant activity of any spice. That's part of why researchers have looked at them for blood vessel and reproductive health.

Erections depend on blood vessels that can relax and widen, a process driven by a molecule called nitric oxide. Here's how erections happen in more detail.

Some research suggests clove compounds may affect that same pathway:

The takeaway: cloves have plausible mechanisms, but there isn't enough human evidence to say they improve sexual performance. Any effect would likely be far smaller than what prescription medication provides.

Cloves and Testosterone

Testosterone affects libido and erections, and some animal studies have explored whether clove compounds influence it. But those studies used rodents and doses far higher, relative to body weight, than anyone gets from food, and the findings haven't been confirmed in human trials.

If you have symptoms of low testosterone, like persistent low libido, fatigue, or erection problems, a blood test is the way to find out. Talk with a provider rather than relying on a spice.

The safest way to use cloves is in food. A little goes a long way:

• Whole cloves: add to rice, stews, braises, or mulled drinks, then remove before eating
• Ground cloves: a pinch in oatmeal, baked goods, marinades, or spice rubs
• Clove tea: steep a few whole cloves in hot water for 10–15 minutes, then strain

There's no established dose of cloves for sexual health, and animal study doses don't translate to people. Stick to culinary amounts, and talk to a provider before taking clove supplements.

Cloves are generally safe in the amounts used in cooking. Clove supplements and clove oil carry more risk.

Possible Side Effects

In larger amounts, cloves can cause an upset stomach, mouth irritation, or allergic reactions. Clove oil can be toxic if swallowed, especially in children, so never ingest it. Undiluted clove oil can also irritate or burn the skin.

Medication Interactions

Cloves can slow blood clotting and may lower blood sugar. Talk to a provider before taking clove supplements if you take:

• Blood thinners like warfarin or clopidogrel, or aspirin
• NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen
• Diabetes medications

Who Should Avoid Clove Supplements

• People with bleeding disorders
• Anyone with surgery coming up (stop at least 2 weeks before)
• People with liver disease
• Anyone allergic to cloves

Cloves work best, if at all, as one part of a healthy routine. These habits have much stronger evidence behind them:

• Eat a heart-healthy diet. A Mediterranean-style diet is linked to lower rates of ED, and some foods may support blood flow. Other kitchen staples like pineapple get similar attention.
• Exercise regularly. Aerobic and pelvic floor exercises support circulation and erectile function.
• Don't smoke. Smoking damages the blood vessels erections depend on.
• Sleep well. Good sleep supports healthy testosterone levels.
• Manage health conditions. Keeping diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol under control protects your blood vessels.

If erection problems happen often, diet changes alone are unlikely to fix them. ED is common: in the Massachusetts Male Aging Study, 52% of men ages 40–70 reported some degree of it. Frequent ED can also be an early sign of heart disease, so it's worth talking with a provider.

Prescription PDE5 inhibitors like sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil, the active ingredients in Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra, are the most effective treatment for most men. BlueChew offers seven formulas. All are sublingual tablets that typically start working within 15–30 minutes, except DailyTAD, which is chewable.

• SIL: 45 mg sildenafil, lasts up to 4–6 hours
• VAR: 8 mg vardenafil, lasts up to 4–6 hours
• TAD: 9 mg tadalafil, lasts up to 36 hours
• MAX and VMAX: two-ingredient combinations that last up to 36 hours
• GOLD: sildenafil, tadalafil, apomorphine, and oxytocin
• DailyTAD: 9 mg tadalafil plus 7 essential vitamins, taken daily

You don't have to choose between healthy habits and treatment. Many men find that combining the two works best. Not sure which formula fits? See our side-by-side comparison.

Interested in getting your hands on an erectile dysfunction prescription? BlueChew has got you covered.

Select a plan, complete an online intake, and you're done. A medical provider will review your information and, if appropriate, prescribe your plan, which will be shipped directly to your door.

No doctor appointments or patient support charges make it a stress-free experience.

Plus, there's no commitment—you can easily cancel or switch plans anytime. Click here to explore all plan options for treatments at BlueChew.

Are cloves good for men sexually?

Cloves are a healthy, antioxidant-rich spice, and some lab and animal studies suggest their compounds may affect blood vessels and hormones. But there's no solid human evidence that cloves improve erections, libido, or sexual performance.

Can cloves help with erectile dysfunction?

There's no evidence that cloves treat ED. Prescription medications like sildenafil and tadalafil improved erections in 67–89% of men in clinical trials, while cloves haven't been tested for ED in humans.

Do cloves increase testosterone?

Not in humans, as far as research shows. Some animal studies have explored clove compounds and testosterone, but the results don't translate directly to people. A blood test can tell you if your testosterone is low.

What are the benefits of clove water for men?

Clove water is a flavorful drink that contains some of cloves' antioxidants. There's no evidence it improves sexual performance, but it's generally safe to drink in normal amounts.

How many cloves should I eat a day?

There's no established amount for sexual health. Using cloves in cooking, a few whole cloves or a pinch of ground cloves in food, is generally safe. Talk to a provider before taking clove supplements.

Are there any side effects of cloves?

In larger amounts, cloves can cause an upset stomach, mouth irritation, or allergic reactions. Clove supplements can interact with blood thinners and diabetes medications. Never swallow clove essential oil, which can be toxic.