Making love potions from herbs and plants

A bouquet of red roses is now the usual way to use plants in the hope of showing or inspiring love, but other plants might well be much more effective.

Photo by Denise Johnson on Unsplash

Many of us use love potions made from herbs and plants without even realising we’re doing so. A pretty bunch of any flower is likely to create a smile and encourage the recipient to feel kindly toward the giver and the use of plant based scents are often used to make us more attractive to potential partners. Many cosmetic products use plant ingredients. Although it’s not the only reason, cosmetics are employed to make others like us. It’s also well known that a good meal is the way to a man’s heart. Good cookery needs herbs for flavouring as well as fruit and vegetables.

Imagine how much more effective a purpose made love potion could be!

Lavender, peppermint, lemon balm, roses, basil and strawberries are all said to encourage feelings of love. Heart shaped shortbread biscuits, scented with lavender would make a romantic gift, as would rose cream confectionery, decorated with crystallised rose petals, or strawberries dipped in chocolate.

Cinnamon, clove and cardamon are all associated with love — and lust — so use these three with caution! They could be used to make a warming mulled wine, or added to hot chocolate for an unusual drink just before bedtime.

If your love potions fail, then there also herbs to comfort you and mend a broken heart. Borage flowers are particularly useful for this, but you can also try rosemary.

Don’t overlook other herbs though. Those which help give us clear skin, sweet breath and all round good health could well be just as useful in helping us attract a lover.

The chosen herbs can be administered in a variety of ways. They could be added fresh to salad and other food items, or infused into herbal teas and decoctions. Or perhaps try steeping the plant material in alcohol and using this as the basis for a pleasant tasting liqueur.