Of all the natural ways to enhance romance—and there are many—one practice is literally right underneath your nose. Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils, aromatic essences distilled from flowers and plants. The aphrodisiac scents, including rose, jasmine, ylang-ylang, neroli and cedarwood, tend to be very sweet, very intense and very provocative.
One of the better ways to use these oils is to add five to 10 drops to warm bathwater for a sensual dip. Or, if you have an aromatherapy ceramic diffuser, you can add a few drops of a blend of the oils listed here to a small amount of water and light a candle underneath. These scents are also available in candles, massage oils and lotions—all worth getting excited about.
Rose
This essential oil, by any other name, would smell as sweet. Rose oil is indeed sweet, with deep, rich, floral bouquets. It blends well with lavender, jasmine and cedarwood.
Jasmine
This expensive essential oil helps relieve stress and emotional blocks and calms fear and anxiety. The mildly euphoric scent embodies a sultry sweetness.
Ylang-Ylang
A traditional aphrodisiac that has been used for thousands of years as a remedy for erectile dysfunction and to improve orgasmic ability, it is also reputed to be an antidepressant. Ylang-ylang means "flower of flowers" and has a heavy, exotic, voluptuous aroma. It blends well with rose, lemon and cedarwood.
Neroli
This oil was named after a princess of Nerola in Italy who wore it as a perfume. Derived from the orange flower blossom, the essential oil is fresh and delicate, yet rich, warm and sweet. The subtle orange fragrance is never overpowering.
Cedarwood
Spiritually uplifting, ecstatic and erotic, this essential oil is taking the place of endangered sandalwood. It blends well with lavender, neroli and ylang-ylang.
