Post Date December, 02 2023
Leek is commonly known as yang grass, also known as yang grass. Chinese chives have the effects of warming the middle and lower qi, strengthening yang and tonifying the kidney in traditional Chinese medicine pharmacology. The roots, leaves, and seeds of leeks can be used as medicine. So why does leek have an aphrodisiac effect? What theory is it based on?
For leeks, the most special nature is the sulfur containing compounds (such as dimethyl disulfide, propylene disulfide, etc.). The special spicy aroma of leeks is due to their presence.
Although there are as many as 20 kinds of such substances in leeks, up to now, no one has been found to act on our reproductive system. It is their job that has been magnified by humans, and things that originally had a pungent taste are very likely to become new biological pesticides, inhibiting fungi on the one hand, and driving out pests that eat vegetables and fruits on the other.
Let's look at another "magical" substance, zinc. This is also the scientific basis vigorously promoted by the current "leek aphrodisiacs". Unfortunately, the zinc content of leeks is quite low, with only about 0.43 milligrams of zinc per 100 grams of leeks.
Not to mention the 71 milligrams of zinc content of oysters of the same weight, even the 8.6 milligrams of lentinus edodes are not comparable. If zinc is really used to control male function, we might as well eat two shiitake mushrooms directly instead of swallowing a large plate of roasted leeks.
At least according to current experimental reports, the main role of zinc is to promote the normal development of male organs and maintain sperm activity. As for men who want to use them to enhance their masculinity, it may be somewhat reluctant.
Okay, except for these special things. The aphrodisiac legend also emphasizes that leeks are also rich in nutritional vitamin C, polysaccharides, and even fiber, which has been brought to guest star as a "supportive" element. Yes, these substances are good for our bodies.
However, these substances are not directly related to male function. Moreover, providing these nutrients is not even the specialty of leeks. The vitamin C content of Chinese cabbage (47 mg/100g) is higher than that of leek (24 mg/100g).
Well, then the only "evidence" that can support the legend of aphrodisiac is the ancient medical records. Let's take a look at how the ancient books record the efficacy of leeks.
In the Compendium of Materia Medica, the efficacy of leeks is: "Juice production dominates qi, wheezing, and detoxifying dried meat. Boiling juice and drinking it can stop coughing and night sweating. Leek seeds nourish the liver and vital gates, treat frequent urination, and enuresis." Although mentioning the urinary system as a neighbor of the reproductive system, there is absolutely no content related to male functions.
If you have to look for words related to Chinese chives' yang strengthening, there are records in "The Collection of Materia Medica" that "warm the middle, lower the qi, replenish the deficiency, harmonize the internal organs, make people able to eat, replenish the yang, stop the discharge of pus from the acetabulum, relieve cold abdominal pain, and cook food." Among them, the term "yiyang" is used as an important basis for Chinese chives' yang strengthening, but it is somewhat farfetched to interpret this "yang" as a male function. In this way, the Chinese chive aphrodisiac is more like a modern version of a health preserving legend.
