14 Alluring Scents With Aphrodisiac Qualities

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Scent is among the most powerful senses, and often we don't even realize how it's affecting us. More than touch, taste, or hearing, our sense of smell is intimately connected to our memories. The smell of freshly baked cookies, bacon, or garlic can make our stomachs start to rumble and mouths begin to water. Freshly brewed coffee, lemon, and peppermint can increase your productivity — and certain fragrances can even trigger arousal. Usually, aphrodisiac scents are described as musky and spicy. They are almost always categorized as warm and earthy.

Likely, you already own a fragrance that uses one or more of these aphrodisiac scents, as they are frequently used as a base for popular perfumes and colognes. However, this isn't the only way that aphrodisiac scents can be used. Fragranced baths, lotions, and oil diffusers can also set the mood and increase libido. Below, we'll walk you through 14 of the most effective aphrodisiacs to try out in the bedroom for an even more euphoric experience.

Blood orange scent is thought to be a powerful stress reliever, productivity booster, and sexual health improver. Internally, the bleeding fruit can relieve inflammation, muscular spasms, and aid in digestion and detoxification. While none of these issues are particularly linked to sex, it can make the experience more enjoyable as your body becomes more relaxed and any pain or tension washes away. An unhappy mind and body can lead to decreased sexual desires for you and your partner. As a bonus, the citrus fragrance neutralizes odor which almost always helps to set the mood.

One way you can bring blood orange fragrance into the bedroom is with Pacifica's Tuscan Blood Orange Perfumed Hair & Body Mist. This sweeter take on the blood orange scent is perfect for wearing in the summer and spritzing into your hair when you have next-to-nothing on. It leaves the aphrodisiac in your wake, heightening your sexual energy.

Originally, vanilla was used by the Totonac people in Mexico, who used the seed pods as medicine to treat an array of ailments. Later, the Aztec people found its scent and flavor to be enjoyable, especially when combined with chocolate, and it was them who introduced vanilla to the Spanish who harnessed its aphrodisiac and stimulant properties. Vanilla's scent comes from its seed pod. Men in particular seem to reap the most sexual arousal from vanilla compared to others. Still, the smell of vanilla is an aphrodisiac for women too. The fragrance brings forth a sense of comfort, coziness, and tranquility. The feeling of safety that arises from this can calm the mind and body, which allows for a deeper connection during a sexual experience as your anxious thoughts and tense muscles are soothed by the aroma.

Dior Vanilla Diorama is made with a vanilla scent that imitates the Diorama Gourmand dessert loved by and specially made for Christian Dior. Described by some as a masterpiece, this popular fragrance uses orange and cocoa notes to round out the scent.

Roses are likely one of the most well-known aphrodisiacs and it's not a difficult scent to find. You can even make your own rose-scented mixtures, just beware of pesticides in store-bought flowers. Taken orally or simply sniffed, roses provide several benefits to your sexual health. For many years, roses have been used to treat a variety of conditions, particularly related to women's health. Most notably, rose petals can be consumed in teas which could regulate menstruation and stimulate digestion. In the past, roses have been recommended by herbalists and health professionals alike for treating inflammation, dizziness, stomach aches, headaches, and more. Studies have reported that rose oil has use in relieving depression symptoms, menstrual cramps, and bleeding. It also may lead to increased sexual desire.

The NEST New York Turkish Rose Perfume Oil is made with Damask roses sourced from flower farms in Turkey. Each flower is handpicked and inspected for quality. Though rose can be described as a basic scent, this fragrance is anything but basic. With the added notes of black plum and blond woods, the aphrodisiac becomes deeper and sweeter.

Derived from the tropical musk mallow plant, ambrette is the name of the seed that we get its essential oil from. The seed and the fruit of the plant have a musky smell that is sometimes referred to as floral or sweet. Real ambrette essential oil can be an expensive purchase as musk mallow plants are hard-to-grow annuals and native to the tropical regions of Asia. Ambrette oil has been used to treat some minor ailments such as itchiness. However, its main draw is its scent used in perfumes, powders, drinks, and aromatherapy. Ambrette seeds' aphrodisiac qualities have made it popular for use in the bedroom. The warm scent is continually likened to skin, which unwinds the mind and allows for a closer connection to your own desires and your partner's.

Our favorite fragrance option using ambrette is the Le Labo Ambrette 9 eau de parfum. It claims to use the "only musky scent made by nature itself." Along with ambrette seeds, the eau de parfum also includes scents of fruit and citrus which lend themselves to the natural, earthy fragrance.

Lavender has long been known for its calming and stress-reducing aromatic properties that make it useful for smelling at bedtime, during a nighttime shower, or when bouts of panic occur. Inhaling lavender-scented lotions, perfumes, or sachets significantly decreases negative feelings due to the fragrance's ability to stimulate the brain's dopamine receptors. As you smell the sweet and herbal fragrance, your brain is feeling calmer and happier, which can also lead to an even better sexual experience from the aphrodisiac powers of the flower.

You can use the scent of lavender in a variety of ways. There are many candles, bath bombs, lotions, and sachets that hold the well-known fragrance. Our favorite lavender perfume option is Clean Beauty Collective's Clean Classic Simply Clean. The scent is layered with lavender, cardamom, and bergamot for a fresh and floral smell that makes you feel cleaner and calmer. Try it alongside a platter of strawberries and chocolate for the full experience.

In traditional Chinese medicine, pumpkin seeds were used primarily for their anti-depressant qualities. Today, we've found even more benefits of the pumpkin. The round orange squash seeds have an impact on prostate health, healthy hormone function, and sexual health. In addition to pumpkin seeds' health benefits, the scent of pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice also has a place in the bedroom. Spices associated with pumpkin include cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice. Many of these are aphrodisiacs on their own. When used in combination with the smell of pumpkin, you've created a powerful scent that can lead to a better sexual experience with your partner.

Among the best fragrances that use the scent of pumpkin is Demeter's Fragrance Library Pumpkin Spice Latte. This complex scent uses the smell of freshly brewed coffee, pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg to provide us with the warm and happy feeling found in the pumpkin's aroma.

Many love the scent of licorice. Not only is it a great fragrance, but it is also an aphrodisiac that enhances feelings of arousal. In particular, black licorice can increase blood flow and libido due to the magnesium, silicon, and thiamine in its make up. Keep in mind that red and black licorice are not the same. Only black licorice is made with licorice root. However, in the United States, most black licorice on our shelves doesn't contain licorice root extract either, instead, it's replaced with anise extract. If you want to reap its sexual health benefits, you need real licorice root.

Wearing black licorice perfume is not a bad idea when you want to feel sexy. Licorice from Demeter's Fragrance Library uses the singular scent to produce a positive mood. Best for going out at night or staying in with your partner, this fragrance is sure to get your blood pumping.