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Setting the Mood with Essential Oils and Aromatherapy
Introduction
 Preciously
fragranced room sprays, body mists, bath oils, massage oils, and
other natural aromatics can enhance a romantic evening or add variety
and intrigue to your marriage.
Planning in advance for special dates,
evenings or other moments can help set the mood for a beautiful
and quiet (or lively!) occasion. Putting special thought into all
the factets of a beautiful evening will make your partner feel special
and appreciated, and will make the event unforgettable in his/her
mind. Much, however, can also be said about the benefits and wonders
of spontaneous moments. Impromptu moments can rule out including
some aromatic practices, but it is also possible to plan ahead
for spontaneity. A lovely selection of natural aromatics can
be purchased or prepared in advance so that you have them on hand
for when the mood strikes. Read on for ideas.
A Word of Caution Before We Get Started...
We are all unique and differ in our
appreciation and awareness of the sensory cues around us. At any
given moment, we have unique sights, sounds, aromas, tastes and
textures all demanding our attention. Some individuals prefer to
maintain consistency in their surroundings and have a harder time
than others in embracing new sensations. If you are unfamiliar with
the preferences, limitations, allergies or possible sensitizations
of the individual that has captured your romantic interest, it's
best to play it safe and limit your use of aromatics until you know
more. It's less spontaneous, but it's caring and safe!
Aphrodisiac/Sensual Essential Oils
An aphrodisiac is generally defined as a substance
that enhances or stimulates passion and sexual arousal. Substances,
including essential oils, that are considered aphrodisiacs are substances
that can help dissipate the physical, psychological or emotional
ailments that may interfere with sexual desire or arousal.
Visit AromaWeb's Aromatherapy
and Aphrodisiacs article for
details and a list of sensual/aphrodisiac essential oils
that can be incorporated with the below ideas.
Room Fragrancing
 If
planning a romantic evening at home that begins with dinner, select
essential oils and oil blends that will complement the aroma of
your meal or other aromas that may be present throughout the evening.
Start with light, fresh, energizing aromas and lead to more sultry,
exotic blends as the night progresses. Remember that less is
more and not to overpower the room. If you or your partner smoke,
consider diffusing lemon essential oil or including it in a blend
to help rid the smoky odor from the room.
Diffusion
Diffuse your favorite sensual essential oils or blend. Refer to
AromaWeb's All About Diffusers article to
learn of the different ways that you can diffuse essential oils.
Room Sprays / Room Mists
A quick and easy way to sensually and naturally fragrance a room
is to create a room spray in advance. A room spray is especially
practical for those beautiful, spontaneous moments where minimal
advance planning is the key ingredient.
Use AromaWeb's Air
Freshener Recipe as the basis for your alluring room spray.
Include seductive, sensual essential oils that you and your partner
find especially appealing.
Linen Spray
Refresh your bed linens by spraying them with an aromatic spray.
Use AromaWeb's Linen Spray Recipe
as a basis for your sensual spray.
 Candles
Candles are frequently used to make romantic evenings more sensual.
They simultaneously delight three of our senses. They tantalize
our sight with their soft, flickering light. Fragranced candles
heat the aromatics embedded within their wax and disperse the aroma
throughout a room. They also generate heat and provide warmth to
the skin.
When selecting candles for your most
erotic or romantic evenings, choose candles that are fragranced
only with essential oils or that are not fragranced at all. If you
must use candles that are fragranced with synthetic fragrance oils,
select candles that are lightly fragranced with a delicate, mysterious
and arousing scent. Although an old addage says "The way to
a man's or woman's heart is through his/her stomach,"
I'd suggest saving your sugar cookie and pumpkin pie
candles for holiday entertaining or other fun purposes.
Most candles, even those marketed
as aromatherapy candles are fragranced with synthetics. Read
AromaWeb's Aromatherapy
Candles article for information on selecting natural and aromatherapy
grade candles.
Incense
The term incense is a broad term for perfumed dry aromatics
that are burned. Countless forms of incense are available, but most
are manufactured using synthetic ingredients. Some incense, most
notably incense powders, cones and Japanese incense is available
that contains only natural ingredients. Incense, when slowly burned,
and when burned in a manner that doesn't overpower a room can stimulate
the senses. Incense, most notably those that include sandalwood,
aloeswood, cinnamon, frankincense and sensual woods and herbs can
simultaneously ease stress and enhance arousal. For more information
about natural incense and what to look for, see AromaWeb's Incense
and Aromatherapy article.
 Fresh
Flowers
No aroma is purer than the aroma that permeates directly from freshly
cut aromatic flowers, herbs and other fragrant botanicals. Create
your own fragrant bouquets to complement your passionate evenings.
Rose Petals
Rose petals are not only beautiful, they are delightfully aromatic
and velvety soft. They can be sprinkled upon the bed, upon a beautiful
tablecloth awaiting a lovely meal, or even sprinkled as a "come
hither" path leading your lover to you. Call your local florist
or nursery to obtain fresh petals.
A Word About Unpleasant Household
Odors
Stale odors, smoke and other unpleasant aromas can be unappealing
at any time let alone during your most special occasions. Whenever
possible, try to fully eliminate unpleasant odors and don't just
try to mask them. Keep your fridge and garbage cans free of decaying
produce, meat stuffs and other smelly items by taking out your trash
frequently. If you smoke, try to smoke outside whenever possible.
Wash draperies and freshen fabrics regularly. Use a kitchen fan
if you cook a lot of meat/fish.
Personal Fragrancing
Personal Fragrances - Body Mists and Perfumes/Colognes
Delicately fragrancing yourself with a natural
body mist, perfume or cologne can complement your natural aromatic
chemistry. Refer to AromaWeb's Aromatherapy
Blending Guide for details on how to blend and formulate beautiful
essential oil blends. Visit the following links to view natural
essential oil recipes:
Hydrosols
A hydrosol is the aromatic water that remains after producing an
essential oil via steam or water distillation. Hydrosols are sometimes
also referred to as a floral water, hydrolate, or distillate water.
When shopping for hydrosols, however, be careful of those labeled
as "floral waters." Many floral waters are fragranced
with synthetics, so it's best to ask the supplier if their use of
the term "floral water" is synonymous with the term "hydrosol."
Hydrosols are delicately fragranced, and can be used as body mists,
room sprays and linen sprays. Neroli, the blossoms of the orange
tree, features a soft, sweet, slightly floral aroma that is sensual
and favored by both men and women. Neroli Hydrosol is a good choice
to keep on hand for sensual occasions. Hydrosols are often sold
in spray mist bottles, or they can be rebottled into spray bottles
that you purchase separately.
Sensual Activities
Dinnertime
Select foods that you and your partner like, and that are fun or
sensual to eat. Get creative. Foods that have been considered aphrodisiacs
for their texture, shape or nutritional value includes oysters,
avocados, cocoa (chocolate), asparagus, and strawberries/raspberries.
 Bathtime
View AromaWeb's Aromatherapy Baths
Article for a general introduction to aromatic bathing. Then,
using sensual essential oils, create a luxurious Bath
Oil or sensual Bath Salts
for that next special bath.
Showertime
If you both prefer showering over bathing, you can still enjoy the
natural aroma of essential oils during your shower ritual. After
turning on the water and allowing it to get hot, sprinkle 2-3 drops
of essential oil on the sides of your shower. The oils will disperse
into the steam-filled air. Make sure that the surface that you drop
the oils on will not become damaged (essential oils are highly concentrated)
or stained.
Snacktime
Prepare a beautifully adorned snack plate that includes nourishing
bite-size portions of fruit or cheese that you and your partner
can serve to on another.
 Massage
Massage between consenting partners eases stress, relaxes sore muscles,
and can lead spontaneously into intimacy. Essential oils are the
perfect aromatic complement to massage. Learn more about aromatic
massages within AromaWeb's Aromatherapy
Massage Article and use AromaWeb's Massage
Oil Recipe to create a sensual massage oil blend. Select essential
oils that you and your partner find seductive and that are not sensitizing
to the kin.
Rose Against Skin
After removing the thorns, gently brush the velvety tip of a long
stemmed rose against the nose of your partner, allowing him or her
to enjoy the aroma, and then glide the velvety tip across your partner's
skin. The combination of the aroma and feeling as it glides against
the skin can be sensual and arousing.
Do not use essential oils,
even diluted essential oils, on the genitals or other sensitive
areas of the body.
Travel/Vacationing/Spontaneity
Amongst the suggestions above are
an array of ideas that can be used even when you are away from home
or when you don't have time earlier in the day to prepare. Described
above, room mists, personal fragrances, linen sprays, bath oils
and massage oils can all be prepared in advance and kept on hand
for when the mood strikes. They can also be transported in your
luggage (keep carry on luggage restrictions in mind) and kept on
hand when you travel.
Book Recommendations
For more information regarding aromatherapy
and love, romance and related topics, consider the following books.
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Essence of
Love |
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Level:
Beginning
Intermediate
Author: Maggie Tisserand
ISBN: 0-06-250914-4
Summary: This text covers
some interesting historical and practical information about
the use of aromatics and essential oils in romance and intimacy. |
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The Healing
Aromatherapy Bath |
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Level:
Beginning
Intermediate Advanced
Author: Margσ Valentine Lazzara
ISBN: 1-58017-197-4
Summary: This delightful
book focuses on the joys and benefits of aromatic baths. |
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Making
Aromatherapy Creams & Lotions |
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Level:
Beginning
Intermediate Advanced
Author: Donna Maria
ISBN: 1-58017-241-5
Summary: A must-have book
for those wishing to make natural aromatherapy skincare products.
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Sacred Luxuries:
Fragrance, Aromatherapy & Cosmetics in Ancient Egypt |
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Level:
Beginning
Intermediate Advanced
Author: Lise Manniche
ISBN: 0-8014-3720-2
Summary: Aromatherapy and
precious aromatics traces its roots back to Egypt several thousand
years ago. Complete with many outstanding photographs, Sacred
Luxuries lets us explore the perfumes, cosmetics and other
aromatics created during this fascinating era. |
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Scents &
Scentuality |
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Level:
Beginning
Intermediate Advanced
Author: Valerie
Ann Worwood
ISBN: 1-57731-075-6
Summary: Provides a very
comprehensive look at how aromatherapy can be utilized to enhance
relationships, romance and intimacy. It also delves into
discreet issues such as lost potency, stamina, energy,
etc. |
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For a more expansive list of
aromatherapy publications,
visit AromaWeb's Book Shelf section.
If you haven't already done
so,
visit AromaWeb's Aromatherapy
for Romance article.
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