Aromatherapy and Your Love Life

Whether you want to set the mood for a romantic evening, help your lover feel less anxious or inhibited, or arouse their sensual side, there’s an essential oil to help you.

Aromatherapy has been practiced for thousands of years and continues to be practiced today. Aromatherapy refers to the use of essential oils for mental, physical, or emotional purposes. You can use aromatherapy for a number of benefits but this article will focus on love potions.

Scents can have a powerful effect on a person. People have known this for centuries. Throughout history people have used the sense of smell as a way to attract others for love and seduction. Look at the perfume industry for example. They know what a powerful connection there is between the olfactory organs and emotions and they’ve cashed in on it.

So how does it work? The olfactory system (associated with your nose) is connected straight to your limbic system. The limbic system is often referred to as ‘the brain’s pleasure center.’ This is because the limbic system controls sensory experience, emotions, processing memory, hunger and sex drive. This is why certain smells will bring back a vivid memory. Just like that you can be transported back in time.

Certain essential oils can act as an aphrodisiac (an agent which arouses one’s sexual drive). Cultures all over the world have been using herbal aphrodisiacs for years. Patchouli, sandalwood, rose and agarwood are essential oils that act as aphrodisiacs. Agarwood is said to be the most powerful in the group. Ginger has a warm, spicy aroma and is mentioned in the Kama sutra for its aphrodisiac properties as well. It is deemed the fragrance ‘to gain the affection of a woman’ by people in the Melanesian islands.

Ylang-ylang is used in many oriental or floral perfumes and is also said to act as an aphrodisiac. When couples get married in Indonesia, it is a custom to spread ylang-ylang flowers across their bed. It is used because of its euphoric, sedative, and sensual effect on a person’s nervous system. What better way to start off a marriage?

Other essential oils that are ideal to mix with ylang-ylang include: jasmine, lavender, cinnamon, bergamot, rosewood, tea tree, and lemon. Because essential oils are so highly concentrated they are very potent. This means that you just need a tiny bit in order to achieve the desired effect. If you use too much it may cause your lover to get a headache or feel nauseous and we most certainly don’t want any of that. Usually one to three drops is a safe amount to use.

If your lover is a little shy or nervous in the bedroom ylang-ylang helps to curb their inhibition and boost confidence. Rose and sandalwood essential oils will also help to relax your partner in the bedroom and bring out their sensual side.

Many people are misled by the name aromatherapy. Because of the word ‘aroma’ they assume that it relies solely on the sense of smell. But this is not the case. A great number of essential oils have properties, which will enhance or restore physical health as well. Some oils have healing properties when applied to the body and some have a direct stimulating effect. Certain essential oils have been said to have hormone like influences on a person, as well.

Not only does aromatherapy aid in setting the mood for love and romance but it will also help with physical difficulties in the bedroom. Far before Viagra there was yohimbe oil. It has been used for many years in other countries for erectile dysfunction. Using yohimbe as a part of your aromatherapy practice increases both blood flow to the penis and norepinephrine in the brain. Yohimbe has been shown to increase the strength and stamina of penile erection along with a general awakening of the libido. If you do use yohimbe essential oil be sure to consult a physician first.

Choosing which oils to use to enhance your love life is the hardest part of aromatherapy. And that’s only because there are so many to choose from. After you’ve found something that both you and your partner like, you can get to the fun stuff.

Deciding how to put aromatherapy into practice will be fun for both of you. Whether you choose to massage one another, take a bath, or heat the oil be creative and have fun.