A word of caution: the information given here is not intended as medical advice. We do not advise you to follow any of these "treatments" yourself. We advise you to obtain a full medical diagnosis and discuss your treatment plan with your doctor. If you choose to use aromatherapy as part of your treatment, please seek out the help of a trained aromatherapist first.
"Rose" is in her mid fifties, and is post menopausal.
Chronic illness, perhaps CFIDS, (chronic fatigue immune deficiency syndrome) undiagnosed, diagnosis of organic depression, organic anxiety, possible petit mal, narcolepsy.
Paxil, Premarin.
Extreme frigidity. "Rose" is involved in a close, loving relationship of five years duration with a very understanding, gentle, and patient gentleman. When the relationship started it was very passionate. For the past two years she has been unable to even contemplate making love to him, for no reason that she can find. Even the thought of making love brought chills to her. Meanwhile, the couple enjoyed hugging, snuggling, etc. It was the physical act of (or thought of) lovemaking that repulsed her.
Rose had tried everything she could think of before requesting help. After several long consultations, we decided to turn to some of the suggestions found in Valerie Worwood's "Aromantics". The first experiment was with a blend of Jasminum officinalis and Zingiber officinale, (jasmine absolute and ginger essential oil), in the bath. No results, although she thought it was a lovely scent combination! Later, a blend of Angelica archangelica, Salvia sclarea, and Santalum album, (angelica, clary sage and sandalwood), and one of Cananga odorata, Myristica fragrans and Coriandrum sativum, (ylang ylang, nutmeg and coriander) were tried both in the bath and as massage oils. The massages were lovely, but not in the least arousing.
Based on the information given in Worwood's book, Rose decided to try vaginal douching with the essential oils, as described, one drop of a synergistic blend to two ounces of boiled, cooled water. The first blend tried was Jasminum officinalis, Cananga odorata and Salvia sclarea, (jasmine absolute, ylang ylang and clary sage). Another was Jasminum officinalis, Rosa damascena, Santalum album and Cananga odorata (jasmine absolute, rose otto, sandalwood and ylang ylang). No results. At this point Rose was really dejected. She was in a loving relationship, and unable to physically consummate her love.
The aromatherapist was reading through old copies of the Aromatic Thymes, and came across an article on Rosa damascena, and its aphrodisiac effects. She showed this article to Rose. Feeling at this point there was nothing to be lost, Rose decided to try a vaginal douche, using Rosa damascena (distilled rose otto), four drops to one pint of distilled water, followed by the use of two drops of rose otto in a bath.
Within hours, Rose was able to invite her delighted partner to her bed.
The really touching part of this success story is that the 'success' happened on the patient gentleman's birthday.
I'd like to stress that only distilled water was used. The essential oil and water was mixed and allowed to stand, and then filtered through a coffee filter, and warmed to body temperature. For occasional follow-ups, true rose otto hydrolat was used as an alternative.
For an internal use such as this, it is very important that only pure, unadulterated essential oils are used. Since rose otto is expensive, it is also frequently subject to adulteration. It is most important to know and trust your source.
Douching was continued for perhaps every week to 10 days at first, then reduced to once or twice a month.
I'd also like to mention that we cannot be certain whether it was the rose, or a placebo effect that made the difference. However, before using rose otto alone, the client had tried it in a blend, and had also tried other blends recommended in the book, that one might expect a possible placebo effect from.
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