First Posted on Feb 10, 2014 by Vivienne Bartle
A number of readers (from both sexes I might add) have requested that I write a post on what essential oils they could use to spice up their love life. Seeing that we aren’t that far away from Valentine’s Day, I decided to accept this request and put together some ideas for you.
As you’ll be aware from earlier posts, essential oils can be applied in many ways. The most common way is through the sense of smell. Our sense of smell is more powerful than we give it credit for; it affects our emotions and physical wellbeing. Particular smells and odours can elicit old feelings and memories…some good and some not so good. I’ve also mentioned in previous posts that essential oils can work with us at an energetic level impacting us emotionally and spiritually. Some essential oils can be uplifting, while others can have more of a relaxing effect. And there are essential oils that can be stimulating or even have aphrodisiac properties.
Some of the essential oils I’m going to suggest can either be applied topically to your skin or hair as a perfume or diffused in a room. Others you can use to create a massage blend. Some of these oils, like jasmine and ylang ylang, have such a beautiful fragrance that you can apply them on their own, but most essential oils are at their best in a blend. For example, therapeutic grade quality jasmine is quite costly. Half a kilogram of therapeutic grade jasmine oil can cost between US$1200 and US$4500. Synthetic Jasmine (used by most perfume companies) costs as little as US$3.50 per 500g…but you won’t get the same effects.
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)
Bergamot comes in the category of being an uplifting essential oil and works to open the heart chakra. It can be applied topically or diffused. Bergamot also has antibacterial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic and sedative properties. Its aroma can help to alleviate stress, tension, depression and anxiety. It can also be applied as a deOdourant or added to food and water as a supplement.
Blend classification: Enhancer, modifier and equaliser
Blends with: Chamomile, cypress, eucalyptus, geranium, jasmine, juniper, lavender, lemon, palmarosa, patchouli and ylang ylang
Odour: Type: Top note (5-20% of the blend); Scent: Sweet, lively, citrusy, fruity
Safety data: This oil is sensitive to direct sunlight, so don’t apply it on your skin if you’re intending to be outdoors within 24 hours following application. Or, if you do, make sure you’ve covered up the area of skin you’ve applied the oil on.
Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
Geranium is a relaxing essential oil that can help to release negative memories (works with the liver chakra to release toxins from the body). Its other qualities are that it helps relieve tension, stress and foster a sense of peace and wellbeing. Geranium helps to open the mind to new ideas. Its other properties are: anti-bacterial, anti-depressant, antiseptic, diuretic and insect-repelling. Can be applied topically or diffused.
Blend classification: Enhancer and equaliser
Blends with: All oils
Odour: Type: Middle note (50-80% of the blend); Scent: Sweet, green, citrus-rosy, fresh
Jasmine (Jasminum officinale)
Long known and used as an aphrodisiac oil, jasmine is uplifting and produces feelings of confidence and optimism. It also has antispasmodic and anti-depressant properties. Can be applied topically or diffused in a room.
Blend classification: Equaliser, modifier and enhancer
Blends with: Bergamot, frankincense, geranium, helichrysum, lemongrass, mandarin, melissa, orange, palmarosa, rose, rosewood, sandalwood and spearmint.
Odour: Type: Base note (5-20% of the blend); Scent: Powerful, sweet, tenacious, floral
Neroli or Orange Blossom (Citrus aurantium bigaradia)
Neroli is an aphrodisiac essential oil but is also calming and relaxing, and promotes confidence, courage, peace and sensuality. Neroli also works well with the second and fourth chakras. Its other properties are: anti-bacterial, anti-depressant, anti-infectious, anti-spasmodic, anti-viral, anti-parasitic and deOdourant. May be applied topically or diffused.
Blend classification: Equaliser, modifier and personifier
Blends with: Rose, lavender, sandalwood, jasmine, cedarwood, geranium and lemon
Odour: Type: Middle note (50-80% of the blend); Scent: Floral, citrusy, sweet, delicate, slightly bitter
Onycha or Benzoin (Styrax benzoin)
Onycha is warming to the heart, promotes euphoria and can help overcome sadness, anxiety and depression. It is referred to in the Bible as a “holy anointing oil”. Its other properties are: anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, diuretic and deOdourant. May be applied topically or diffused.
Blend classification: Enhancer and equaliser
Blends with: Coriander, cypress, frankincense, jasmine, juniper, lemon, myrrh, rose and sandalwood.
Odour: Type: Base note (5-20% of the blend); Scent: Rich, warm, slightly woody, creamy, vanilla-like
Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)
Patchouli is calming and relaxing. It also has anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, antiseptic, diuretic, insecticidal and deOdourant properties. May be applied topically or diffused.
Blend classification: Enhancer
Blends with: Bergamot, clary sage, frankincense, geranium, ginger, lavender, lemongrass, myrrh, pine, rosewood and sandalwood.
Odour: Type: Base note (5-20% of the blend); Scent: Earthy, herbaceous, sweet-balsamic, rich with woody undertones.
Black Pepper (Piper nigrum)
Black Pepper oil has aphrodisiac qualities and works well with the first chakra. It’s both stimulating and comforting. Its other properties are: analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic and stimulating to the nervous, circulatory and digestive systems. May be applied topically or diffused.
Blends with: Cumin, fennel, frankincense, lavender, marjoram, rosemary and sandalwood.
Odour: Type: Middle note (50-80% of the blend); Scent: Spicy, peppery, musky, warm with herbaceous undertones
Safety data: Can cause extreme skin irritation.
Rose (Rosa damascena)
Rose is an aphrodisiac oil, stimulating to the mind and helps promote a sense of wellbeing. It has the highest frequency amongst essential oils – 320 MHz – and as rose is associated with love, I feel this is possibly the universe’s way of suggesting to us what is most important. The fragrance of pure, therapeutic grade rose oil is almost overpowering, so if you are going to apply this oil on its own topically you need only a slight dab. And, like jasmine oil, therapeutic grade rose oil is quite expensive.
Blend classification: Personifier, enhancer, equaliser and modifier
Blends with: Citrus oils, cedarwood, clary sage, cypress, frankincense, juniper, myrrh, patchouli, pine, rosewood, and sandalwood
Odour: Type: Middle to base notes (20-80% of the blend); Scent: Floral, spicy, rich, deep, sensual, green, honey-like
Safety data: To be used with caution during pregnancy.
Rosewood (Aniba rosaeOdoura)
Rosewood is a relaxing oil helping to create a feeling of peace. Its other properties are: anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-infectious, anti-parasitic and anti-viral. May be applied topically or diffused.
Blend classification: Modifier and equaliser
Blends with: Chamomile, clary sage, frankincense, geranium, jasmine, lavender, myrrh, myrtle, neroli, patchouli and sandalwood.
Odour: Type: Middle note (50-80% of the blend); Scent: Sweet, woody, floral aroma
Sandalwood (Santalum album)
Sandalwood is an aphrodisiac oil that’s stimulating and grounding. It works well with both the first and seventh chakras, working to harmonise and balance the emotions. Sandalwood helps open one’s heart while at the same time diminishing one’s egocentricity. In many cultures sandalwood is regarded as a sacred oil. It also has anti-depressant, antiseptic and anti-tumoral properties. May be applied topically or diffused.
Blend classification: Modifier and equaliser
Blends with: Cypress, frankincense, lemon, myrrh, patchouli, spruce and ylang ylang.
Odour: Type: Base note (5-20% of the blend); Scent: Minty, slightly fruity
Safety data: To be used with caution during pregnancy.
Ylang Ylang (Cananga Odourata)
Ylang ylang is an energising and uplifting oil that has an influence on sexual energy. It helps balance male-female energies (see my post Essential oils for the spirit), promotes feelings of self-love and confidence and at the same time is calming and relaxing. Its other properties are anti-depressant, antiseptic and anti-spasmodic. May be applied topically or diffused. It’s a great oil to use for massage (see my post Integrating essential oils with massage).
Blend classification: Personifier and modifier
Blends with: Anise, bergamot, cardamom, chamomile, cumin, geranium, grapefruit, lemon, marjoram, sandalwood and vetiver.
Odour: Type: Middle to base notes (20-80% of the blend); Scent: Sweet, heavy, cloying, tropical floral with spicy balsamic undertones.
For more info follow this link: http://www.wellbeing.com.au/blog/setting-the-mood-using-essential-oils-in-your-love-life/