What are aphrodisiac scents?

Whether lavish or modest, the flowers of plants do not scent the air simply to please people. Their scent helps plants attract pollinators, but at the same time it can also enchant people – sparking the imagination, heightening the senses and creating a mood conducive to intimacy. That is why, when planning an intimate evening, it is worth using essential oils from intoxicating flowers. Their scents can become the invisible backdrop to the evening, dispelling distracting thoughts, slowing things down, relaxing, arousing curiosity and drawing more attention to the body’s sensations.

Substances and scents commonly referred to as aphrodisiacs are associated with desire, sensuality and sexual attraction. The word itself derives from the Greek word aphrodisiakón – ‘related to Aphrodite’, the ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty. However, the effect of aphrodisiac scents is not straightforward or the same for everyone. Scent works through emotions, memory, associations and personal experience. What seems intoxicatingly erotic to one person may be too intense or even unpleasant for another.

In truly sensual fragrances, alongside sweet floral or balsamic notes, there is often a barely perceptible animalic indole undertone. Such scents subconsciously evoke warm skin, sweat or the intimate closeness of the body. In perfumery, this precarious balance between beauty and discomfort, attraction and repulsion, creates a unique erotic tension.

The most striking plant example of this scent is the large-flowered jasmine (bot. Jasminum grandiflorum). In its essence, the light, sweet scent of the flowers intertwines with rich indole notes that are almost carnal. Because of this complexity, jasmine is rightly called the ‘King of Emotions’.

Below you will find aromatic substances that stimulate sensuality and give you that ‘butterflies-in-the-stomach’ feeling, helping you to relax, open up to intimacy, feel confident in your attractiveness and physicality, and create a sensual atmosphere of pleasure. Please note: in an intimate setting moderation is key – use only the faintest of scents – otherwise the effect may be the opposite...