Love is in the Air

Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential plant oils for physical and emotional healing. When I think of aromatherapy it immediately conjures images of warm, sensual, ambient moments shared with lovers, friends and family.

I use aromatherapy every day: diffusing or spraying essential oils in each room, topically applying them to my skin and adding them to my cosmetics and lotions. 

Smelling familiar fragrance directly affects your consciousness. We are constantly receiving messages via our (smelling) limbic system: from reliving child hood memories at Grandma's house on Sundays when she cooked roast chicken to the pheromones secreted by our lover to promote procreation, enhance attraction and stimulate sexuality.

Essential oils in plants affect change from attracting pollinators for reproduction to repelling predators when needing protection. When smelled by humans they can effect us powerfully, often enhancing the mood.  

I developed my Aromatherapy locket as a way to recreate a delicious mood everywhere I went from my home to the car to the hotel.

The heart shaped locket and bespoke oil formulation is fresh, warm and sensual. With oils including Lavender, Geranium, Sweet Orange, Clove and Patchouli no matter where you hang your locket you will enjoy the sexy and alluring blend.

In case you would like to create your own blend of oils here is a summary of the most common sensual fragrances and their health benefits.

Cinnamon is a member of the Laurel Family: sweet, spicy and warming. It invigorates the senses, calms the nerves and improves circulation. Cinnamon increases desire, creativity and can improve erectile dysfunction and frigidity. Studies on a group of male medical students found that the smell of cinnamon buns increased blood flow to the penis.

Ginger is a member of the Ginger Family: pungent, sweet and warming. It’s stimulating fragrance helps open the heart and is aphrodisiac, even benefiting erectile dysfunction. It improves circulation and depression. 

Jasmine is a member of the Olive Family,: sweet, warming, stimulating, rich, sensual and exotic. It relieves stress, helps move emotional blocks, calms fear, anxiety, and is mildly euphoric. Historically it sacred to Kama, the Hindu love god  and found on the tip of his arrows.

Neroli is a member of the Rue Family: sweet and cooling. It relieves stress, grief, and is an antidepressant. Neroli helps relieve first encounter apprehensions when spending time with a new partner. 

Patchouli found in our Aromatherapy locket is a member of the Mint Family: sweet, musty, woodsy and warming.  It calms anxiety, lifts the spirits, stimulates the nervous system, improves clarity, and attracts sexual love. Used to treat frigidity, yeast and vaginal infections, as well as balance libido levels, most likely, by balancing the endocrine glands. Patchouli is antifungal, antidepressant, antiseptic, aphrodisiac and regenerative.

Rose is a member of the Rose Family: sacred to Aphrodite (Venus) and the queen of all flowers. It’s fragrance is rich, deeply floral, sweet and cooling. Rose is associated with physical and spiritual love and a supreme heart opener. Rose is both sensual and romantic and helps heal grief from emotional trauma. Rose helps one feel happier, relieves anger, jealousy and relationship conflicts. Good for anyone who feels distanced from their emotional center.

Ylang-ylang is a member of the Custard Apple Family: sweet, bitter, cooling and erotic. It is euphoric, relaxes a nervous partner and stimulates the senses. Long used to calm anger, anxiety, fear, frigidity and improve self esteem. It helps foster a state of peacefulness. Ylang ylang has been recommended as a remedy for PMS, to balance hormones, improve erectile dysfunction, and orgasmic ability. In Indonesia ylang ylang flowers are scattered on the beds of newlyweds to promote desire and bless the union with children. Ylang ylang is antidepressant, antiseptic, and aphrodisiac.

Be sure to use pure essential plant oils and not synthetic fragrances. Quality is imperative. Be suspicious of clear bottles and companies, where each essential oil is the same price. Keep essential oils out of the reach of children and anyone irresponsible for their own actions. Store essential oils away from light, heat, plastic and metal. Some oils can stain clothing and damage the finish on furniture. Keep essential oils away from mucus membranes such as the eyes, mouth and genitals, as well as broken skin. Avoid essential oils during pregnancy as they may induce contractions.

Most essential oils are too strong to use undiluted. They should be mixed with a carrier oil such as almond, grapeseed or apricot kernel oil because they’re light, without strong odor and lend themselves well for blending. For certain people, a stronger oil such as hazelnut or sesame is preferable, particularly if you want to create a more warming blend.

written by Marjolein Brugman

Marjolein Brugman is the founder of lighterliving and Aeropilates. “lighterliving is a movement and lifestyle choice we can all make. Let’s make it simple – make one decision a day to be better and watch the small steps lead to big changes. Eat smart, stay active, and you’ll live to feel a lighter life."