Scents and Sensuality

Our sense of smell has been used since time immemorial to stimulate sexuality. Cleopatra used rose petals to entice Mark Anthony into her bedroom, and roses continue to be an enduring symbol of love, with millions being sent as tokens of adoration this Valentine's Day. Rose also remains the most seductive of the essential oils, with a powerful sensual effect that continues to be an effective and popular option for couples today.

As human beings, we are affected by the five senses, and one of the most subtle, invasive and evocative of them all is the sense of smell. We associate certain smells with certain things in our lives, which in turn affects the way we feel. The sense of smell is over 10,000 times more sensitive than the sense of taste, and researchers have shown how certain aromas excite the brain, activating the hypothalamus gland, the pituitary gland and the body's hormones. Aromas also stimulate the limbic system, which is the part of the brain that controls sensations of pleasure, emotions and memory, explaining why scents can have a profound effect on our moods.

According to Quinessence Aromatherapy, certain essential oils are believed to have a pheromone-like action, which can increase the sex drive, such as angelica, clary sage, nutmeg, sandalwood and vetiver. Other oils such as jasmine, tuberose, patchouli and ylang ylang are considered to be aphrodisiacs that can help to boost a flagging sex drive. They can be enjoyed in a bath to help your clients relax and unwind before a special evening, used in a burner, or be mixed in a base oil and used as part of an aromatherapy massage - where touch will help to bring about feelings of intimacy.

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