The Romance Of Aroma

Romance – it’s an experience of all five senses. Certain sounds, tastes, sights, feelings and smells put us in the mood for love.

It is quite likely that aroma is the most powerful of these stimuli as it works both in terms of sense memory and as a trigger for physical responses.

A history of romantic aroma

Using aroma to induce romance has a long history. In ancient times, Egyptians and Romans would bathe in essential oils before intercourse. Indeed, Cleopatra is believed to have scented her royal barge with rose water and rose petals to seduce Mark Antony. Perfume has also long been used by men and women to lure their intended.

How does aroma do this?

We associate certain aromas with specific people or events. Therefore, when we smell them again we are taken back to a time in the past. Physiologically, this happens because inhaling an essential oil stimulates the Limbic System, which is the part of the brain where moods and emotions are governed. We can use this to our advantage.

For instance, if we use a certain essential oil in a vaporiser every time we want to be romantic, over time we will come to associate certain activities with that specific scent. Consequently, when we smell the aroma of the oil it will trigger a response in the brain that puts us in the mood for romance.

Certain essential oils are known as aphrodisiacs because they work to lower the physical, psychological and emotional barriers to sexual arousal, such as stress. These aphrodisiac essential oils include clary sage, lavender, and ylang ylang plus several others.

Combining love and aroma

It’s easy to start introducing aroma into your romance routine. For example, you can add eight drops of Arabian Nights Mood Enhancer into your bath so you and a loved one can share a relaxing and sensual soak. This sensual blend contains sandalwood, ylang ylang, patchouli and jasmine.

Alternatively, fill your bedroom with the soothing scent of lavender, ylang ylang, and ginger using a vaporizer or burner. Do this ten minutes before getting ready for bed, so the room is well-scented by the time you slip under the sheets.

Other essential oils known to act as an aphrodisiac include champaka, nutmeg, rose otto, and neroli. These oils are known to work on both genders, whilst there are others that are known to be more gender-specific.

To seduce your man, try experimenting with essential oils of cinnamon sandalwood, or ginger. These work well in a diffuser or burner when blended together or used individually. As warming, stimulating scents, these would work beautifully to arouse his passions over a romantic autumnal dinner by candlelight!

Alternatively, if a woman is the object of your desires you can appeal to her femininity by using neroli, rose, jasmine or lavender essential oils.

Copyright © Quinessence Aromatherapy Ltd 2021. Written by Geoff Lyth