Herbal and Aromatic Aphrodisiacs

by: Ingrid Petres
Our species evolved using scent to help us survive. We learned to recognize what was food through scent. We were aroused physically through the hormonal breath of our species. As a flower lures a bee, an animal emits phermones to lure a mate. These hormonal emitions, the breath of desire, contain all kinds of tiny chemical constituents that have the ability to effect us immensely.

When we inhail a scent its chemical constiutents are first recognized by the area in the brain known as the limbic system. This area deals with emotion and memory. In fact the sense of smell is the only sense that is not first routed through the thalamus. Scent effects our brain chemistry even before we recognize its presence. 

Western Science has an insatiable desire to prove what ancient man knew through experience. It has been able to isolate chemical constituents present in plant material and essential oils that can effect us in many ways.

Some chemical constituents relax the central nervous system and some modulate brain chemistry potentially evoking euphoria while some are stimulating. This may help to explain why certain aromas have been used throughout history as incense and perfume. 


​Below are some commonly utilized essential oils for their narcotic and arousing effect on our species. 


Essential oils:
 
Jasmine: 
Jasminum sambac
Narcotic, floral, and aphrodisiac. Contains a chemical constituent known as indol that has a distinct animal earthiness. Middle Note
 
Rose:
Rosa damascena
This flower has long been associated with love.  Its scent is an immensely floral aphrodisiac. Jeanne Rose claims it has profound effects on a women’s genitalia when applied topically. Middle Note
 
Cardamon: 
Elletaria cardamomum
This warm, spicy oil promotes circulation. It is an aphrodisiac, and a stimulant. Top Note.
 
Vetiver: 
Vetiveria zizanioides
Distilled from the root of a grass this oil is grounding and nourishing. It is a circulatory stimulant yet sedative to the central nervous system. Base Note.
 
Patchouli: 
Pogostemon cablin
Aphrodisiac, antidepressant, grounding and balancing. Base Note.
 
Ylang Ylang:
 Canaga odorata
Highly narcotic and aphrodisiac. In Indonesia ylang ylang flowers are spread on the beds of newly married couples. Middle Note
 
Black Pepper: 
Piper nigrum
Promotes circulation and is an aphrodisiac. It is a stimulant, and promotes stamina. Top Note.
 
Clary Sage: 
Salvia sclarea
Aphrodisiac, antidepressant, euphoric, and sedative. Middle Note.
 
Sandalwood: 
Santalum album
Aphrodisiac, antidepressant, and sedative. Contains sesquiterpenes, which are known to be calming to the nervous system. Base Note
 
Ginger: 
Zingiber officinale
Steam distilled from the fresh rhizome. This oil is a warming and stimulating aphrodisiac. It increases local circulation. Top Note.​

---

​Massage Oils:
           
Why not make your own aromatic massage oil? Massage is an effective way to encourage relaxation and intimacy. The application of essential oils through the use of a "carrier” oil imparts the oils effect into the blood stream quickly. Many chemical constituents like terpenes, are present in the blood stream as early as 2 minutes after topical application. Most other chemicals are present in the blood’s chemistry by 20 minutes. 
           
When adding essential oils to your carrier aromatherapists for whole body massage use a standard dilution rate of 2.5%.

This is roughly:
​15 drops essential oil (from an eyedropper)
1 oz carrier (Almond, Sesame, Jojoba Oil etc.)

​

​

---

Scents are categorized as base, middle and top notes. This refers to their characteristics as well as there evaporation, or dry out rate. When creating a mixture it a good idea to include top, middle, and base note oils to create a harmonious chord.
 
Sample Massage Oil:
                                         # of drops
Cardamon (Top)                    7
Ylang ylang (Middle)            3
Patchouli (Base)                     5
 
Total drops =                        15
 
Add your essential oils to a bottle one drop at a time and shake
 
Add: 1 ounce Jojoba Oil and shake well to incorporate.

Scent is just one method for experiencing these chemical messengers. Topical application, herbal teas, extracts, herbal wines and cordials are all ways of absorbing these plants and their wonderful effects. For example, a massage oil containing essential oils when applied infuses these tiny molecules into our blood and easily circulates through what is known as the “blood brain barrier” where they impart their effects. When ingested, these chemical constituents are also absorbed into the blood. Lets explore some herbs that are known to elicit arousal. 

Herbs:
Ginseng: 
Panax quinquefolius or Panax Ginseng
This tonic, helps circulation, and has stimulant effects. It helps maintain Yin Yang harmony in the body according to Michael Tierra.
 
Damiana: 
Turnera aphrodisiaca
Hot, and spicy in nature. Damiana increases blood flow to the pelvic region. It is native to Mexico where it is known as an ancient Indian aphrodisiac

Muira Puama: 
Liriosma ovata
Known as potency wood in its native South America. It is known to lower sexual inhibitions and increase sensitivity to touch.
 
Vanilla: 
Vanilla plantifolia
Ah delicious vanilla... what's not to LOVE! It Is prescribed in homeopathy as an aphrodisiac and was used in ancient America as an aphrodisiac.
​
Cacao: 
Theobroma cacao 
Stimulates the central nervous system and contains phenyl ethylamine which is known to increase endorphins
 
Maca: 
Lepidium meyenii
Maca is a delicious, honey scented nutritive root native to Peru where it is known for regulating sex hormones, and enhancing the libido.
 
​Guarana:
​ Paullinia cupana
This South American native plant is used as a stimulant. Astringent and bitter, the flavor is not unlike coffee. Guaranine, one of its chemical constituents is similar in chemical structure to caffeine. This stimulant, tonic herb is slightly narcotic and known as an aphrodisiac.

Cordials:

A cordial is a lightly sweetened herbal tincture. They are delicious ways of enjoying an herb’s properties. Most often they are alcohol based, but can be made non-alcoholic if one so desires. Often a cordial includes fresh or dried herbs, and fresh or frozen fruits.
 
To Make an Herbal Cordial:
Chose what ingredients you will include.

Prepare you ingredients:
Grind dried herbs in a mortar and pestle or coffee grinder.

​Add them to a large jar

Chop fruit or blend fresh fruits with the alcohol and pour over the herbs 

Top the jar off with enough alcohol so that the liquid covers the herbs more than an inch and allows sufficient flow.

​Shake well.

​Liquors that are 40 percent alcohol make great menstrums. Brandy, rum and vodka are all suitable. Glycerin can be used to make a non-alcoholic menstrum that is already sweet, eliminating the need to add honey.
 
​Let this mixture sit for a week or so. It is good to agitate the jar every so often.

Strain the mixture through cheesecloth, or straining bag.

Sweeten to taste (unless glycerin was used). Try 1/2 cup honey (agave nectar, molasses…whatever you like) per quart.

Herbal Aphrodisiac:
 
2 cups Berries (fresh or frozen)
1/4th cup Cacao Powder
1/2 Cup  Damiana
1 T Muira Puama
3 T Maca Root Powder
1 T Eleuthero Root powder
2 T Ginseng powder
2 Vanilla Beans
750 ml Brandy 
Honey

Try our Love Potion Cordial 

​Bibliography:
 
Aftel, Mandy. Essence and Alchemy. Gibbs Smith Publishers, 2004.
 
Lavabre, Marcel. Aromatherapy Workbook. Healing Arts Press, 1996.
 
Manniche, Lise. Sacred Luxuries. Cornell University Pres,1999.
 
Pollak, Jeanine. Healing Tonics. Storey Publishing, 2000.
 
Rose, Jeanne. 375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols. Frog Ltd, 1999.
 
Ratsch, Christian. Plants of Love. Ten Speed Pr, 1997.
 
Lawless, Julia. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils. Element Books, 1995.
 
Schnaubelt, Kurt. Medical Aromatherapy. Frog Ltd, 1999.
 
Shutes, Jade. Masters Apprenticeship Program. East-West School for Herbal and Aromatic Studies, 2007.
 
Tierra, Michael. The Way of Herbs. Pocket, 1998.