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Aromatherapy for Romance

The five senses...

Touch... Taste... Sight... Sound... Smell.

When utilized fully, our five senses heighten romance, love, intimacy and the meaningful moments of our lives. Although the words sensuality and sensual are often misused, a sensual individual is one that has an acute awareness and appreciation of the subtle changes that effect each of the senses. Such an individual tends to value creativity and tends to have a great interest in activities that take advantage of the senses. Such activities include various forms of music, culinary creations, the visual arts, aromatics and various forms of physical touch including those that permit the physical expression of love and desire.

Aromatherapy, natural botanicals and natural fragrancing all tantalize our sense of smell. They play a significant role within romance, love and intimacy. Let's take a look, starting with a quick stroll through history...

Fragrance and Romance Throughout History

The use of naturally fragrant ingredients to heighten attractiveness and enhance romance has been documented throughout history. The Song of Songs, for instance, was written over 3,000 years ago by Israel's King Solomon, son of King David. King Solomon was considered an immensely wise, wealthy and passionate ruler. Also known as the Song of Solomon, the Song of Songs is a beautifully poetic and symbolic Old Testament work that expresses the love shared between the king and his bride. This ancient but brief book is rich in sensual passages that reference aromatic botanicals:

How much more pleasing is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than any spice! Your lips drop sweetness as the honeycomb, my bride; milk and honey are under your tongue. The fragrance of your garments is like that of Lebanon. You are a garden locked up, my sister, my bride; you are a spring enclosed, a sealed fountain. Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates with choice fruits, with henna and nard, nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of incense tree, with myrrh and aloes and all the finest spices. You are a garden fountain, a well of flowering water, streaming down from Lebanon. Awake north wind, and come, south wind! Blow on my garden, that its fragrance may spread abroad. Let my lover come into his garden and taste its choice fruits.
Song of Songs 4:10-16 (NIV)

His cheeks are like beds of spice yielding perfume. his lips are like lilies dripping with myrrh. His arms are rods of gold set with chrysolite. his body is like polished ivory decorated with sapphires. His legs are pillars of marble set on bases of pure gold. his appearance is like Lebanon, choice as its cedars. his mouth is sweetness itself; he is altogether lovely. This is my lover, this my friend.
Song of Songs 5:13-16 (NIV)

Aromatherapy and Sensuality

Preciously fragranced room sprays, body mists, bath oils, massage oils, and other natural aromatics can enhance a romantic evening or add variety and intrigue to your marriage. Including aromatherapy and natural aromatics in your plans for romance will not suddenly make a stubborn, unromantic and impassionate individual become more loving or sensual, but it can enhance his/her overall mood, and make a romantic or intimate evening much more sensual. A room delicately fragranced with an energizing and exotic aroma can help melt away stress and uplift the spirit while setting the stage for the evening's plans.

Planning in advance for special dates, evenings or other moments can help ensure a quiet (or lively!), beautiful occasion. Putting special thought into all the facets of a beautiful evening will make your partner feel special and appreciated, and will make the event unforgettable in his/her mind. Much, however, can also be said about the benefits and wonders of spontaneous moments. Impromptu moments can rule out including some aromatic practices, but it is also possible to plan ahead for spontaneity. A lovely selection of natural aromatics can be purchased or prepared in advance so that you have them on hand for when the mood strikes.

For information on specific ways to incorporate aromatherapy into your romantic life, visit AromaWeb's detailed Setting the Mood article.

Aromatherapy and Aphrodisiacs

An aphrodisiac is generally defined as a substance that enhances or stimulates passion and sexual arousal. Substances, including essential oils, that are considered aphrodisiacs are substances that can help dissipate the physical, psychological or emotional ailments that may interfere with sexual desire or arousal.

Visit AromaWeb's Aromatherapy and Aphrodisiacs article for
details and a list of essential oils that can act as aphrodisiacs.

Book Recommendations

For more information regarding aromatherapy and love, romance and related topics, consider the following books.

		Essence of Love
		Level: Beginning • Intermediate Author: Maggie Tisserand ISBN: 0-06-250914-4 Summary: This text covers some interesting historical and practical information about the use of aromatics and essential oils in romance and intimacy.
		The Healing Aromatherapy Bath
		Level: Beginning • Intermediate • Advanced Author: Margσ Valentine Lazzara ISBN: 1-58017-197-4 Summary: This delightful book focuses on the joys and benefits of aromatic baths.
		Making Aromatherapy Creams & Lotions
		Level: Beginning • Intermediate • Advanced Author: Donna Maria ISBN: 1-58017-241-5 Summary: A must-have book for those wishing to make natural aromatherapy skincare products.
		Sacred Luxuries: Fragrance, Aromatherapy & Cosmetics in Ancient Egypt
		Level: Beginning • Intermediate • Advanced Author: Lise Manniche ISBN: 0-8014-3720-2 Summary: Aromatherapy and precious aromatics traces its roots back to Egypt several thousand years ago. Complete with many outstanding photographs, Sacred Luxuries lets us explore the perfumes, cosmetics and other aromatics created during this fascinating era.
		Scents & Scentuality
		Level: Beginning • Intermediate • Advanced Author: Valerie Ann Worwood ISBN: 1-57731-075-6 Summary: Provides a very comprehensive look at how aromatherapy can be utilized to enhance relationships, romance and intimacy.  It also delves into discreet issues such as lost potency, stamina,  energy, etc.

For a more expansive list of aromatherapy publications,
visit AromaWeb's Book Shelf section.

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