Try Essential Oils for Sex: Increase Drive & Libido

The idea of using an essential oil for sex drive boosting may seem strange to us, but aromatic oils for stimulating the libido have been something our ancestors have enjoyed for thousands of years. Let’s see what the Bible says about the two famed lovers from the Song of Solomon…

• “Your oils have a pleasing fragrance, Your name is like purified oil; Therefore the maidens love you.” (Song of Solomon 1:3)
• “How fair is thy love, my sister, my bride! How much better is thy love than wine! And the fragrance of thine oils than all manner of spices!” (Song of Solomon 4:10)

Enjoying a strong and vibrant sex drive is normal. Sadly, low, low libido and erectile dysfunction issues affect more people than you can imagine. If you can relate to this, it’s important to realize that sexual desire is the product of many factors, and natural therapies like essential oils for sex can help boost libido like few things can!

You’re Not Alone

Before we dive into the best essential oils for sex, the first thing to understand is that you are not alone. For men, low libido often culminates in erectile dysfunction, which ranges in prevalence from 5% in younger men to 25% in men over 65. (1) In women, low libido is common in all stages of life thanks to fluctuating hormones.

Suffering from low libido periodically or chronically is nothing to be ashamed of. Bringing your concerns into the open with your spouse can start the path toward health, intimacy, and resolution. Our hope and prayer is that you and your spouse can support each other with no judgment or criticism and seek the Lord for a viable, loving solution.

Low Libido & Erectile Dysfunction Causes

Causes of low libido and erectile dysfunction vary from person to person and range from lifestyle influences to serious disorders. Some of the most prevalent factors include:

• Stress – One of the most basic yet most difficult causes of low libido to fix, simply being stressed out and overtired can put a damper on the mood. Stress over relationship issues, such as raising the kids, money, and house concerns, can lead to a lack of intimacy and hinder libido as well. Most stress can be relieved with simple lifestyle changes. (2)
• Drinking Alcohol – An often overlooked cause of sexual dysfunction, alcohol can be a stressor of its own. While contemporary advice says to utilize alcohol to just relax, it could have the opposite effect and ruin efforts toward libido increase.
• Hormones – Here’s where it gets complicated. The body’s network of hormone responses (the Endocrine system) creates long-term messages for the body to respond to. So they aren’t quick to fix. Hormones are connected to causes like stress, aging, disease, menstrual discomfort, pregnancy, and menopause-related libido issues. (3, 4) When hormones are at the root of libido issues, expect change to come progressively over time.
• Illness – Physical stressors on the body – such as obesity, heart health, and other illnesses – can hinder sexual desire and response, as well. When an illness or condition is at the root of low libido, working with a doctor is important.

Check the resource list at the bottom of this article for more about naturally boosting low libido and relieving its various causes. If you are one of the many struggling with low libido in the face of stress and normal hormonal shifts, essential oils to boost libido may soon become your new best friend!

6 Essential Oil for Sex Drive Options

As gentle and relaxing aromas, these oils can be used in diffusions, sprays, topical applications, and more. Get creative to see how you can boost libido naturally by incorporating these essential oils for sex into both your daily life and romantic life.

1. Rose

As an anxiety-relieving, calming oil, it comes as no surprise that rose essential oil is also traditionally used as an aphrodisiac. As a pricey oil, though, rose is most efficiently used in blends or heavy dilutions.

Application: Blend into a perfume to carry this romantic floral scent with you, or diffuse periodically throughout the day for both partners to enjoy.

2. Jasmine

A precious and pricey oil derived from delicate flower petals, jasmine has proven itself well in studies. Researchers tested alertness and “behavioral arousal” after a topical treatment of jasmine oil. The participants were found to be more refreshed, with their senses on alert. (5)

Application: Apply jasmine topically in a perfume or sensual massage oil for men and women. Note that the delicate petals sometimes require the use of a solvent to extract the oil. Check labels carefully, especially for an organic certification.

3. Clary Sage

A 2014 study undertook the question of menopause symptom relief and essential oils. They found that simply inhaling hormone-balancing clary sage essential oil had an anti-depressant effect on menopausal women. (6) When libido is low due to hormonal shifts like menopause, clary sage is a balancer that may bring some relief.

Application: Diffuse or inhale periodically to relax, balance hormones, and get in the mood.

4. Ylang Ylang

Ylang ylang is widely used as an aphrodisiac throughout the aromatherapy world and is one of the best essential oils for sex. Its gentle floral scent is appealing to nearly everyone, and its application potential is diverse. Enjoy with other floral oils, or deepen the fragrance with sandalwood.

Application: Diffusion, inhalation, or diluted into a carrier oil as a massage oil for both men and women.

5. Neroli

Essential oil derived from orange blossoms instead of the fruit’s peel is called neroli, a precious and very useful oil. In one clinical trial, researchers found that “inhalation of neroli oil helps relieve menopausal symptoms, increase sexual desire, and reduce blood pressure in postmenopausal women,” making it another helpful option when libido is low due to hormones or stress. (7)

Application: Diffusion or inhalation a couple of times each day for calming, balancing effects.

6. Fennel

As a whole herb, “Fennel seeds have been reputed to increase milk secretion, promote menstruation, facilitate birth and alleviate the symptoms of the female climacteric, increase libido and alleviation of the dysmenorrheal symptoms.” (8) Fennel essential oil retains some of these estrogenic effects, making it a beneficial addition to your libido-increasing, hormone-balancing diffusion or massage blends.

Application: Include fennel essential oil in DIY lotion blends or massage oils for balancing effects.

Learn what the research REALLY says about using essential oils for libido & PMS in the 7-Video Women’s Health Series
You can learn more here and get access to all 7 videos HERE.

Message of Hope for Enhancing Intimacy

Men and women of all ages have faced low libido and have found hope and renewal. There is no shame in admitting the struggle and seeking a solution! As a bonus, openness and partnership in finding a remedy or resolution as a couple will help to increase intimacy, as well.

To relieve the stresses of everyday life, boost libido, and begin to ignite a spark with your significant other, try this DIY libido-boosting blend diffused or diluted into a carrier oil (almond or coconut are excellent!) for a soothing massage. Simply blend:

• 2 drops neroli (or sweet orange)
• 2 drops jasmine
• 2 drops ylang ylang

Directly into an ultrasonic diffuser (you could alternatively add this blend to an inhaler).

To use this blend topically, add one drop of each of these oils to a 10ml roll-on bottle and fill the remaining space with your carrier oil of choice. A light carrier oil, like fractionated coconut oil, is a great choice for this kind of application. Apply your finished roll onto your pulse points!

When it comes to essential oils for sex, ylang ylang, clary sage, rose, and jasmine are go-to oils that can be safely used as long as their dermal cautions are observed and make great options for massage oils.

• For either ylang ylang or jasmine, use 2 drops per tablespoon of carrier oil.
• For clary sage, use 6 drops per tablespoon of carrier oil.
• For rose, use 1 drop per tablespoon of carrier oil.

Resources: