Wave a wand, cast a spell, bewitch a lover with aromatic essences and sweet-smelling balms! Since the beginning of time scent has been used to charm the object of one’s affection. Can scent really act as an aphrodisiac, awaken libido, arouse passion? Yes, say today’s researchers, who reveal that our olfactory glands are directly linked to the brain’s limbic system -- our "house" of pleasure, sex drive, memory and mood. Odors powerfully affect our brain-wave activity, heart rate, blood pressure, even muscle tension. Aphrodisiac scents stimulate those endorphins that make us feel relaxed, sensuous, euphoric.

When fragrance is worn as an elixir for love, it sends a subtle, yet potent message. Along with your own voice, your eyes and other unique features, your body possesses its own scent blueprint made up of pheromones, or sexual glandular secretions. Since human pheromones have even been found in incense plants, you might want to try mingling powdered sandalwood, cinnamon, cardamom and myrrh on a bit of burning incense charcoal.

The following essential oils and resins are said to be erotically stimulating: jasmine, clary sage, frankincense, ylang-ylang, black pepper, myrrh, rose, cinnamon, vetiver, neroli (orange blossom), cardamom, cedarwood, jonquil, ginger, sandalwood, violet leaf, nutmeg, vanilla, hyacinth, palmarosa, benzoin, mimosa, cumin and lemon verbena.