Sacred Sensuality: Ancient Herbal Aphrodisiacs + Love Spells
One thing about Valentine’s Day is that it has a way of stirring up a whirlwind of emotions. Whether you’re in a passionate partnership, joyfully single, or hoping to meet your twin flame, it's a time when expectations and complex feelings can sometimes overwhelm the heart, making it feel like there’s a lot of extra pressure on love and desire. But no matter where you stand on the emotional spectrum during this season, the energy of desire is universal.
Herbs offer a promising pathway to connect with your sacred sensuality.
For millennia, long-standing traditions of herbal aphrodisiac usage have persisted globally, with diverse cultures turning to passion-igniting plants and spirit-elevating botanicals to invite love into their lives. Traditional medicine practitioners and many types of healers knew long before scientists and doctors that herbs help us tap into deeper interpersonal bonds, heighten desires, and elevate the spirit, especially when they are used in love and attraction rituals.
Based on observational analyses, Chinese Medicine practitioners viewed anxiety and mental agitation as “disturbances of the shen, the Spirit or consciousness that resides in the heart.” [1] From ancient Egypt to South America and beyond, plant wisdom keepers have relied on the potency of herbs not just for their physical benefits but for their ability to open the heart and enhance spiritual connections. In ancient Egypt, for example, the Blue Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea) was prized for its calming effects on the mind and heart. In traditional Egyptian libation ceremonies, it was believed to awaken the senses, elicit “ecstatic exhilaration” [2], and promote intimacy, making it an essential part of love rituals. But the Egyptians weren’t the only ones—plants have long been seen by many as powerful tools for passion and sexual vitality.
Botanists and herbal astrologers associate many of these plant allies with Venus, the goddess of love, beauty, and harmony.
This is because her energies align closely with the realms of sensual pleasure, relationships, and emotional balance. In Roman and Greek cultures, herbs like Damiana (Turnera diffusa) and Myrtle (Myrtus communis) were used in love spells to attract affection or heal broken hearts. In the Amazon, Indigenous communities have long looked to Catuaba (Erythroxylum vaccinifolium) as a powerful aphrodisiac with the ability to reignite desire and enhance intimacy. Long lineages of plant wisdom keepers believed that these plants helped them tap into an alchemy of attraction, moving beyond the physical and into the realm of psychospiritual connection.
Today, we can still connect with the ancient knowledge these plants offer. Whether you want to deepen your emotional intimacy or enjoy a moment of heightened sensuality, herbs provide sacred portals to open your heart, ignite passion, and cultivate a deeper connection with yourself and others. By incorporating these timeless botanical treasures into reimagined rituals, you can invite more love, joy, and playful energy into your own life, aligning with the same forces of nature that have guided lovers throughout the ages, across distant and familiar lands.
Passion Plants + Herbal Heart Medicine
Albizia (Albizia julibrissin)
The Tree of Happiness
Known as the tree of happiness, Albizia has a rich history rooted in ancient Chinese herbalism. Revered for its ability to uplift the spirit, Albizia is traditionally used to alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression, which can often block the flow of love and sexual energy. The plant’s bark and flowers have been used for centuries to calm emotional disturbances and promote emotional well-being, making it an essential ally in love spells and rituals designed to open the heart and enhance emotional intimacy.
In terms of energetics, Albizia is considered cooling and uplifting. It encourages emotional release, helping to dissolve stagnant energy that can prevent deeper connections and joy. In the realm of sensuality, Albizia works by clearing away the mental clutter that hinders intimacy and fostering an open, balanced heart—a crucial foundation for sacred sensuality.
Research has shown that Albizia has anti-depressant and anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) effects. Studies demonstrate that Albizia extracts may reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, helping to promote emotional balance and well-being—key aspects of sensuality and love.
Its close plant sibling in the mimosa tree family Bobinsana (Calliandra angustifolia) is a native of the Amazon basin that has similarly been used for countless generations to enhance spiritual and shamanic activities. The entire plant is used for healing: roots, bark, leaves, and flowers.
Damiana (Turnera diffusa)
The Herb of Passion + Sensuality
Damiana is a powerful aphrodisiac that has been used by Indigenous peoples in the Americas for centuries to enhance sexual pleasure, increase libido, and relieve symptoms of sexual dysfunction. Revered by cultures from the ancient Maya to modern-day herbalists, Damiana is believed to stimulate the senses, heighten sexual desire, and promote emotional connection. The herb’s benefits are not limited to just the physical realm; it also promotes emotional intimacy by supporting positive mood and self-esteem.
Damiana’s energetics are warm and stimulating, perfect for awakening desire and igniting the fires of passion. It has a long-standing history of use in love spells and ceremonies, where it was believed to attract love, passion, and sexual vitality. The herb's energizing properties make it an essential ally in sacred sensuality rituals, helping individuals connect deeply with their bodies and partners.
Studies have affirmed Damiana’s aphrodisiac properties due to its ability to increase blood flow to the genital area. Research published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that Damiana enhances libido and sexual arousal, making it a powerful plant for stimulating desire.
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
The Heart’s Protector
Hawthorn is widely known as a heart tonic, but its connection to sensuality and emotional well-being is even more profound. In both traditional Western and Chinese herbalism, Hawthorn has been used to support cardiovascular health, calm emotional tension, and heal broken hearts. Hawthorn's ability to nurture the heart, both physically and emotionally, makes it an essential plant in rituals of self-love and attraction, encouraging openness and vulnerability in our relationships.
Energetically, Hawthorn is grounding and fortifying, helping to support emotional resilience and connection. It strengthens the heart and circulatory system, both of which are crucial for the flow of sexual energy and pleasure. In love spells, Hawthorn is often used to promote emotional healing, allowing individuals to fully embrace love without fear or emotional baggage.
The oldest known medicinal plant in European herbal medicine, its traditional use to nourish the heart, help heal grief, and support those struggling with heartbreak is “explained” by science in terms like cardiovascular benefits, including its ability to reduce blood pressure and improve circulation. Research exploring its therapeutic potential published in the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy describes its efficacy in supporting heart health, making it an essential herb for both physical and emotional well-being.
Catuaba (Erythroxylum vaccinifolium)
A Brazilian Aphrodisiac Bark
Catuaba is a Brazilian aphrodisiac plant first used by the Tupi Indians, who believe that this super-bark bestowed them with extraordinarily large reproductive parts and unrivaled sexual prowess, earning them the nickname Elephant Men of the Jungle! This native to the Amazon rainforest has traditionally used by Indigenous Brazilian tribes to enhance libido and sexual function. Catuaba has long been valued for its ability to rejuvenate sexual vitality, improve energy levels, and stimulate desire. It is considered a sacred plant of sensuality, often used in love rituals to attract passion and sexual fulfillment.
The energetics of Catuaba are warm and stimulating, making it a perfect herb for those looking to reignite their sexual energy and passion. In addition to its aphrodisiac effects, Catuaba is known to elevate mood and reduce stress, fostering an environment of relaxation and joy that is conducive to intimacy.
An original investigation published by Psychopharmacology discussed its ability to increase the release of serotonin and dopamine, and what researchers considered “convincing evidence” for its antidepressant-like effect. Additionally, Catuaba possesses central nervous system stimulating properties, which may contribute to its aphrodisiac and mood-boosting effects.
Herb Infused Self-Love Spells
Just as our ancestors turned to the wisdom of plants to kindle love, passion, and inner harmony, we, too, can weave botanical allies into modern rituals of self-love and connection. Our herbalists have concocted three herb-infused self-love spells just in time to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your greatest love: YOU!
Crafted with traditional herbs that offer more than just fleeting pleasure, these spells use some of our favorite sacred mood-lifting plants, inviting us to commune deeply with ourselves and others. By approaching time-honored traditions in new ways, we can simultaneously cultivate sensuality and self-trust with the potential for lasting emotional healing, elevated relationships, and a love that flourishes from the roots of our sacred inner sensuality.
Rose + Honey Bath Ritual
To soften the heart, enhance self-worth, and invite Venusian energy.
What You Need:
- Handful of dried or fresh rose petals
- 1 Tbsp honey (for sweetness + self-love)
- 1 cup milk (for nourishment)
- 5 drops of Rose Essential Oil or Rose Powder
- Pink or white candle
How to Perform Your Ritual:
🕯️ Light the candle and set an intention for self-love.
🛁 Run a warm bath and add the ingredients, stirring with your hand in a clockwise motion.
💞 As you soak, repeat affirmations like “I am worthy of love, care, and joy.”
👁️ Visualize the water infusing you with radiant energy and compassion.
💧 When your heart feels full, let the water drain, imagining negativity washing away.
Sacred Sensuality Jar Spell
To attract more love, passion, and self-appreciation while nourishing the heart and spirit.
What You Need:
- A small jar
- Rose Water
- Cacao Powder (or Cacao nibs)
- Mucuna Powder (or a few dried Mucuna beans)
- Schisandra berries (dried or powdered)
- Catuaba bark (dried or powdered)
- Blue Lotus (flower essence or dried petals)
- A piece of paper + a pen
- Rose Petals (dried) and cinnamon sticks
How to Use Your Jar:
✍🏽 On the piece of paper, write your name and a few qualities you wish to amplify in yourself or your life—whether it’s love, passion, self-empowerment, or emotional balance. Be specific, focusing on what your heart craves.
📃 Fold the paper toward you, symbolizing drawing these desires closer to your heart. Gently place it in the jar.
🌹 Add a few drops of rose water to represent love and compassion. Then, add cacao for its heart-opening properties and mucuna for elevating mood and desire. Sprinkle in schisandra to promote vitality and a touch of Catuaba to enhance passion. Include 3-4 Blue Lotus flowers (or a small handful of just the petals) to invite tranquility and deeper connection. Add two handfuls of rose petals and 1 cinnamon stick for warmth and sweetness. With each addition, speak your intentions aloud as if planting seeds of love and joy.
🫙 Seal the jar and keep it on your altar or a safe space where you will see it daily. As you do, repeat aloud: “I sweeten my life with love, passion, and joy. I invite my heart's warmth and my spirit's playfulness to flow freely. I honor the sacred sensuality within me.”
💛 When you need a boost in self-love or sensual energy, hold the jar to your heart and visualize the ingredients’ energy swirling around you. Picture it as a golden, radiant light that envelops you, uplifting your spirit, sweetening your self-talk, and expanding your heart’s capacity for love and joy.
Venus Gua Sha Mirror Affirmations
To enhance self-confidence, embrace beauty, and dedicate time to sacred self-care.
What You Need:
- A mirror
- Rose Quartz Gua Sha tool
- 1-2 drops of Sandalwood-Rose Face Oil (or another herbal Venusian blend)
- A marker or lipstick (pink or red)
How to Perform Your Ritual:
🪞 Stand before the mirror, take a deep breath, and hold your gua sha tool over your heart. Let its purifying energy cleanse your spirit, preparing you for renewed receptivity and self-love.
Using lipstick or a marker, write an affirmation on the mirror, such as:
✨ “I am radiant, beautiful, and deeply loved.”
✨ “My beauty begins within and radiates infinitely.”
✨ “I honor my body, heart, and divine essence.”
🌿 Apply a few drops of plant-based face oil to your skin and begin massaging your face with the Rose Quartz Gua Sha tool. With each stroke, visualize love and confidence flowing into you, sculpting your face and energy. Focus on areas of tension and gently release any stored emotions. (Here’s a bit more about how to perform self-massage).
👁️ Look deeply into your eyes and repeat your chosen affirmation three times. Let your words anchor into your being, feeling your confidence and self-love expand.
💋 Kiss the mirror (if you feel called) and thank yourself for honoring your beauty. Keep the Gua Sha tool on your altar as a reminder of your magick and the love you cultivate for yourself.
Whenever your skin or energetic field feels dull, low frequency, or overwhelmed by toxic buildup, repeat this sacred ritual to honor your physical beauty and inner light.
