Tapping in to your senses is the quickest way to reawaken libido, says Val Sampson, a couples’ counsellor who runs workshops on increasing sexual energy. Smell is the most powerful of the senses and has a strong effect on the mind and emotion. ‘It can change our mood and transport us into another place’, says Val.
Scent affects the oldest part of the human brain – the limbic system. It is instantly recognised by the body unlike other senses, which take a more circuitous route. The limbic system controls our emotions and memories, says Elisabeth Millar, owner of Fragrant Veil Perfumes. Through its connection to the endocrine and autonomic nervous systems, it controls all functions of survival including reproduction.
Using Essential Oils to Boost Libido
You can use essential oils to change your mood and switch gears from work to play. Even after the scent has disappeared its effects continue to work on the body. The oils listed below have powerful sensual properties and can help increase desire: -
Black Pepper, Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Clove, Jasmine, Neroli, Patchouli, Pine, Rose, Sandalwood, Vetivert, and Ylang Ylang.
Essential oils are highly concentrated so ask for guidance on how much to use. You can add a few drops to a base oil for massage.
How To Use Essential Oils
Essential oils can be used in several ways:-
- As incense
- In a diffuser to fragrance the air.
- As a bath oil to relax you.
- On your face, body and hair as a beauty aid.
- As a massage oil, if added to a base oil such as sweet almond.
During Roman times women spritzed their faces and bodies with different oils, to achieve the inspired effect.
Sensual Bathing For Two
Taking a bath is grounding and reconnects your body and mind, especially if you add sensual oils to the mix. Always add the oil after the bath is full otherwise the fragrance disperses and make sure the water is not too hot. Elisabeth Millar suggests the following combinations: -
For mischief and playfulness: -
1 drop Rosemary
1 drop Patchouli
2 drops Bergamot
2 drops Orange
For love and romance:-
2 drops Rose
4 drops Sandalwood
Both oils are aphrodisiacs that work in harmony to blend masculine and feminine energies.
Body Lotion For Seduction
Add a couple of drops of your chosen oil to an unperfumed body lotion. Rub in slowly and sensually to give your body and mind a treat. For seduction, combine 3 drops of orange oil and 3 drops of neroli with one tablespoon of sweet almond oil.
Body Lotion For Passion
For a body lotion that inspires passion combine 2 drops of bergamot with 1 drop of black pepper, 1 drop of patchouli, 2 drops of sandalwood and 1 tablespoon of sweet almond oil.
Oils For Sensual Massage
Massage is a great way to relax, recharge and reconnect with your sensual side.
For firmer, softer breasts add 1 drop of ylang ylang to 1 teaspoon of sweet almond oil and massage into the breasts.
For hand-holding, add 1 drop of rose to 1 teaspoon of jojoba.
To play footsie, add 1 drop of jasmine, 1 drop of ylang ylang to one teaspoon of jojoba.
Bedroom Scents
To help you make the transition from work to play, combine 3 drops of lavender with 3 drops of marjoram in an oil burner.
Resources
The Fragrant Veil: Essential Oil Recipes to Enhance the Sensuous Pleasures of Living and Loving, by Elisabeth Millar, Capricorn Press Ltd, 2004.
How to Have Great Sex for the Rest of Your Life, by Val Sampson and Julia Cole, Piatkus, 2004.
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