Sexy Fragrances

By Dr. David Stewart, PhD

A recent program on National Public Radio discussed a scientific study to determine which fragrances that are most sexually exciting for men and for women. For men, the top aprodesiac aromas were pumpkin pie, lavender, dougnuts, licorice (or anise), basil, and buttered popcorn. For women the top three were the smell of rain, dirt, and buttered popcorn. Only buttered popcorn was shared by both men and women.

The results for women were surprising. Who would figure that the earthy odors of rain and dirt would be women's choices as sexually arousing? As for men, it can be understandable that lavender, which is a perfumy scent, might remind them of a woman, but pumpkin pie and dougnuts? Who would figure that?

It is interesting to note that in Eastern Canada there has been a recent fad among teenagers to use strange colognes and perfumes. Commercially availabl fragrances include "Laudromat," "Cotton Candy," "Sugar Cookie," "Gingerale," and "Dirt." I bought a bottle of "Dirt" when I was there last year and it smells exactly like fresh soil, which was not altogether unpleasant if you like the smell of the earth after a rain. So there you have it. Even the perfume industry is on to the dirt smell thing.

As for basil, licorice, and anise, it is the fragrance of two common compounds found in all three of these that dominates these tastes and fragrances: estragole (methyl chavicol) and anethole. Historically, young Greek and Italian girls used to wear sprigs of fresh basil around their necks in the belief that the fragrance would attract men. Now there is a scientific basis for that practice.

The scientists making the study said that the same smells would not necessary evoke the same responses. A fragrance pleasant to one person may be repulsive to another depending on their experiences and memories associated with it. They cited the example of a person who liked the odor of skunk because as a child she was engaged in a pleasant and unforgettable experience when she first smelled a skunk. The researchers also mentioned that the savory odor of pumpkin pie is associated with the holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas, which may be times of relaxation when lovers and couples spend more time together, hence the association with sex.

Putting these newly discovered scientific facts to practical use, ladies, here's what you can do to be pleasing to your man: apply the oils of lavender and basil, offer him a dougnut, and bake him a pumpkin pie. For couples, relax and pop some corn together. For men, I don't know. Somehow I don't see you coming in out of the rain with dirt on your trousers as something appealing to your woman, but you might give it a try.

Reprinted from The Raindrop Messenger, a free eline newsletter, with permission from Dr. David Stewart. To subscribe or download back issues, visit www.RaindropTraining.com.