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This is Her Brain on Roses

    The rose is more than a symbol of love; its scent is a drug.


    I don’t mean that figuratively or metaphorically. Aphrodite’s flower has powerful pharmacological effects that can facilitate the feelings of love. Men have been taking advantage of that for years, and women have been rewarding them for doing so.



Studies have shown that rose oil has an anti-anxiety effect that is on par with valium. Which is particulary important as a female aphrodisiac, because women’s brains are generally wired to permit arousal only when they feel secure and cared for.

While most people insist that a rose is merely a pretty symbol that has an innocent aroma, the science is clear: The rose is a drug. Here are some of the studies.

  • Effects of fragrance inhalation on sympathetic activity in normal adults. Inhaling rose scent reduces activity of the fight-or-flight sympathetic nervous system by 40%, and reduces adrenaline levels by 30%.
  • Anxiolytic-like effects of rose oil inhalation on the elevated plus-maze test in rats. In a standard lab model of anxiety, rose scent = valium in terms of increasing the boldness of rats.
  • Anticonflict effects of rose oil and identification of its active constituents. Less alarm response, less stress. 2-phenethyl alcohol and citronellol are identified as the particular chemicals that make on more agreeable and reduce social conflict. Is 2-phenethyl alcohol similar to phenylethylamine? Oh-yeah.

    Science has only scratched the surface of how this flower affects the brain. The reduced anxiety suggests a change in a neurotransmitter like serotonin or GABA. And there is really no research into other, more subtle effects that womens have described for thousands of years.

    While the compounds in rose may be as effective as valium (or its evil cousin rohypynol) in relaxing her and dissolving sexual inhibitions, there is no evidence that rose oil impairs coordination, good judgement or memory the way that those synthetic drugs do. Ethically, giving a woman roses is no worse than giving her chocolates. Which is to say that it might have an effect, but it is something that she chooses to enter into willingly and (at least on some levels) understands the source of the emotional experience is from the rose or chocolate (which is from you).

    Rose Aphrodisiac Recipes

    You know how to get roses from a florist. But have you thought about using rose scent as part of an aphrodisiac cuisine? The easiest way is with Rose Water. This is produced by distilling or extracting the rose essential oil, and mixing it with water. It’s affordable (I just bought a 10 ounce bottle in a Middle Eastern grocery in the US for 3 dollars), and a little of the elixir goes a long way.

    A typical mixed drink with a shot of rum or vodka and some fruit juice will be nicely enhanced with 1/3 teaspoon of rose water. A bit of cinnamon, goji or vanilla will round out the aroma and taste.

    If you are using rose water in hot beverages or baking it into cookies, you will need to use more. The heat will cause much of the luscious scent to evaporate. Cookies can be sprinkled or sprayed with rose water after they cool and then sealed in an air tight container. Candies (chocolates or Turkish delight) tend to hold the scent better than baked goods – just add the secret ingredient last, and cool the product directly.

    Make sure it is edible

    Not all rose scented products are intended for food or drink. There are even some rose water products that are meant only as facial cleaners or perfumes. Make sure it is intended for cooking!

    Most of the rose fragrance oils on the market are not suitable for consumption – they are for perfumery only. And read the label carefully – rose fragrance means that something smells (kinda sorta) like a rose … it could be an impression of roses that is loaded with synthetic chemicals. The label ‘organic’ may or may not have any meaning, as most of the synthetic fragrances contain carbon, and are thus ‘organic’ from the vocabulary of the chemist. Look for terms like ‘all natural’ or ‘no synthetic ingredients.’

    Of course, rose is a premium ingredient in perfume, particularly women’s perfume. And the essential oil used to make it is incredibly (and intoxicatingly) heavy. An ounce of pure attar of rose or rose essence requires hundreds of pounds of rose petals to produce.