The Romance of Flowers

For thousands of years, flowers have symbolized beauty, love, romance, fertility and a number of reasons to celebrate.

Everything about a flower embodies the unique way we experience sensations of joy and love – its shape, delicate or vibrant color, alluring aroma, and more. Flowers have done such an amazing job of training humans – we feel compelled to grow them in our gardens, bring them into our homes and give them to one another as symbols of devotion. I love when my partner surprises me with a bouquet of flowers (usually my favorite: stargazer lilies) simply to show how much he cares.

Aromatic flowers like rose (a classic symbol of romance), jasmine, neroli and ylang ylang developed their amazing scents to attract pollinators. We (humans) learned to harness that same magic for our own benefit. Cleopatra, one of the most sensual and alluring women in history, anointed herself with aromatic flower-infused oils to enhance her appeal and air of confidence. I love making aromatic versions of perfumes, body oils and sprays to infuse my home and my body space with the scents that I most associate with feeling loved. I find that keeping these scents around me inspires happiness, and most importantly, encourages my own feelings of self-love and self-confidence.

Neroli

To me, neroli is the aroma that embodies absolute self-confidence and self-love. I joke that if I could be any essential oil it would be neroli. I never leave the house without my neroli roll-on. Every time I smell it, I immediately feel a sense of peaceful self-assurance, like I can take on and overcome any challenge with grace. Neroli is one of the more exotic smelling essential oils, which contributes to its sensual, unique effects.

Rose

Rose is the aroma most closely associated with romance. Roses are commonly found at weddings, given as gifts for anniversaries and romantic holidays, and have been used in aroma perfume making for generations. Roses are cultivated for both their incredible color and rich aroma. I grow several species of wild rose (Rosa rugosa, Rosa woodsii and Rosa virginiana) in my garden that I use for making teas, hydrosols and for simply enhancing the beauty of my garden. I use rose otto or rose absolute essential oil frequently in my aromatherapy blends, for their own value as a calming, restoring scents but also to harmonize the other oils in the recipe.

Jasmine

Jasmine’s beautiful white flowers and intoxicating, calming scent have long been associated with love, simplicity/purity and the moon. Because of that moon association, the aroma of jasmine always reminds me of the Greek goddess Artemis – one of the strongest, most powerful female images in history. One of my favorite things about living in India during college was being able to wear jasmine flowers in my hair every day. I felt so empowered and beautiful. Jasmine essential oil has a deep base note so I love adding a drop or two to other recipes to infuse an exotic, mysterious and lingering scent.

Alluring Anointing Oil

Inspire confidence and irresistibility with this flower-based roll-on recipe.

• 2 drops neroli essential oil
• 1 drop rose essential oil
• 1 drop jasmine essential oil
• 2 teaspoons argan oil
• .31-oz amber glass roll-on bottle

Directions:

1. In bottle combine essential oils.
2. Top off argan oil, replace lid and shake until well blended.
3. To use, roll onto pulse points on neck, wrists and inside elbows.
4.  

Authored by Clinical Master Herbalist & Aromatherapist Betsy Miller of A Balanced Life Wellness.

This inspiring post lived on Aura Cacia’s Noteworthy site while it was in existence.  The name “Noteworthy” was inspired by the three aroma notes – top, middle and base – found in essential oils. When these three notes come together they create a beautiful, balanced synergy.  Noteworthy was full of contributions by real women aspiring to create a beautiful, balanced synergy in their own lives – and the lives of others.  We are pleased we could continue to share this post to our aromatherapy community.