What Scents Are Aphrodisiacs?
Aphrodisiacs are elements that attract members of the opposite sex towards each other. They can be made from fruits, oils, foods and even some unusual materials. Sometimes the body of a lover is said to exude natural scents that helps as an aphrodisiac. From a thousand years and even today, scents are used as aphrodisiacs to attract lovers
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Pheromones are believed to cause sexual excitement and hence act as aphrodisiacs. It is a natural chemical in the body which was initially detected in insects in the 1950s. Pheromones are capable of changing sexual behaviours although everybody may not necessarily be sensitive to the scent of pheromones. Some find it musky and some don’t like the smell of it at all. Most mammals are said to have a gland in the upper part of their nose to detect the scent of a pheromone. Some perfume companies also claim to add pheromones to their fragrances.
Going into history, in about 100 B.C., Julius Ceasar called perfumes the “fire of love”. Commonly found perfumes in Rome were Frankincense and myrrh. Cleopatra was said to use perfumes and opiates in order to seduce men. Gold used to be added to aphrodisiacs that would make them really expensive, during the middle ages. Animal substances and plant aphrodisiacs were used by members of the Inca and Aztec tribes so as to make themselves more desirable to a potential lover. Bananas, chocolates and even insects have been used as aphrodisiacs at various periods of time.
Some essential oils act as aphrodisiacs. Lavender combined with floral oils, patchouli or cedar wood, is used to attract men. Jasmine is a famous perfume scent which is an aphrodisiac to both women and men. Ylang ylang is considered to be one of the most powerful aphrodisiac scents as it increases the libido and sexual energy between two lovers. It is often combined with jasmine, bergamot or rose oil and the floral scent of neroli is overwhelming and thus useful for flirtation whereas the scent of patchouli is relatively more relaxing.
In Kama Sutra, ginger is mentioned as an aphrodisiac as it improves blood circulation as well as nourishes the skin. Spicy aromas are warm and hence lead to increased perspiration which further leads to activated chemicals that cause sexual attraction. Removing toxins from the body and other therapeutic effects are beneficial to the stimulation of the body from the toes to the brain.
Aphrodite was the Greek Goddess of sensuality and that is where the word “aphrodisiac” originates from. In many rituals, especially in India, scents are applied on a woman’s body as they lift her spirits of arousal. She is considered as the sacred creative force in the ritual. Aphrodisiacs promoting a balance of the mind, body and soul include pine, cypress, geranium, angelica and anise.
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