Aphrodite and her Plants of Love
- Renee Boje
- Mar 21, 2020
- 16 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
"Venus and Anchises" by William Blake Richmond, Public Domain
Please Note: This article is Part II of my previous blog post, “Aphrodite: Goddess of Love, Aphrodisiacs, and Sacred Traditions.” In this article, I explore plants historically and culturally associated with Aphrodite and broader traditions of love symbolism across different cultures. I also include examples of culinary and aromatic preparations inspired by these plants, reflecting their historical and cultural associations with sensory experience, beauty, and ritual use.
Aphrodite's Belt
Detail from Painting By Henryk Siemiradzki, Public Domain
As we discovered in Part I of this article, the Greek Goddess of Love, Aphrodite, adorned her lovely hips with a magical belt which she filled with sensual libations made from powerful aphrodisiacs.
Due to the war on plant medicines that has been going on for centuries we have lost a great deal of historical information pertaining to botanicals, so the exact contents of Aphrodite's belt remains a mystery.
Many references in the Goddess of Love’s mythology reveal that her shaman's bag contained potent aphrodisiacs. There are a number of aphrodisiacs associated with Aphrodite and it is more than likely that some of these were stashed in her medicine satchel. Aphrodite's magical girdle was sought after by many of the Gods and Goddesses due to the legendary seductive effects of the contents contained within. This is a clear indication that Aphrodite was the keeper of some impressive tantalizing love potions!
Aphrodisiacs
The word aphrodisiac comes from the Greek aphrodisiakon, meaning “pertaining to Aphrodite,” and is historically used to describe substances associated with attraction, vitality, or heightened sensory awareness.
In modern scientific terms, sexual arousal is understood as a complex interaction involving hormonal, neurological, and sensory processes. Stimuli such as scent, taste, touch, sound, and visual perception can all contribute to emotional and physiological responses, mediated through the nervous system and associated biochemical signaling pathways.
From a physiological perspective, these responses involve coordinated activity between the brain, nervous system, and endocrine system, resulting in changes in attention, mood, and bodily awareness. The experience of attraction and pleasure is therefore understood as a multi-layered biological and psychological process.
In cultural contexts, aphrodisiacs are sometimes categorized into substances traditionally associated with sensory stimulation or emotional association. Some are described as affecting the body through sensory engagement, while others are discussed in terms of mood, memory, or symbolic meaning.
These categories are not strictly defined and vary widely across cultures and historical periods.
"This is my body, a map of love..." - Excerpt from a poem by Mokhrar Issa, Translated by Hassan Hegazy Hassan (Egypt 2003)
Aphrodite and her Plants of Love:
In this section, we explore plants that appear in historical, culinary, and symbolic associations with Aphrodite and broader traditions of love symbolism. Many of these plants have been used in cooking, perfumery, and cultural ritual contexts across different societies.
Mint
The term mint is a general name for plants in the Mentha genus, which includes varieties such as peppermint, spearmint, apple mint, and others. Mint has been used across many cultures for culinary, aromatic, and medicinal purposes for thousands of years.
Archaeological evidence suggests that forms of mint were known in ancient Egypt, with traces of the plant found in historical contexts including burial sites.
Mint has long been valued for its aromatic and sensory qualities. Its refreshing scent and taste have made it a common ingredient in cooking, herbal preparations, and perfumery traditions. In many cultures, mint is associated with clarity, freshness, and sensory awakening due to its stimulating aromatic profile.
From a nutritional perspective, mint contains a variety of naturally occurring compounds, including vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, and magnesium. These nutrients contribute to its historical use in traditional wellness practices, particularly in relation to digestion and general vitality.
Mint in Aromatic and Culinary Traditions
The scent of peppermint is widely used in aromatherapy and perfumery due to its bright, cooling, and invigorating qualities. In sensory traditions, it is often described as enhancing alertness and contributing to an overall feeling of freshness and clarity.
Mint essential oil blends well with a wide range of aromatic plants, including lavender, lemon, eucalyptus, rosemary, grapefruit, and geranium. These combinations are commonly used in perfumery, aromatherapy, and household fragrance practices.
In culinary traditions, mint is frequently paired with fruits, chocolate, citrus, and other sweet or fresh ingredients. It is used in both savory and dessert preparations across many cultures, valued for its ability to enhance flavor complexity and brightness.
Culinary Inspiration
Mint can be incorporated into a wide variety of recipes, including infused beverages, herbal teas, fruit dishes, and desserts. One traditional inspiration includes pairing mint with figs, caramel, or other fruit-based desserts to highlight its aromatic qualities.
Here is a delicious recipe that is one of my favorites to share with a loved one:
Basil
"(Parvati at her lattice) O Love! were you a basil-wreath to twine among my tresses, A jewelled clasp of shining gold to bind around my sleeve, O Love! were you the keora's soul that haunts my silken raiment, A bright, vermilion tassel in the girdles that I weave..."
-A Rajput Love song by Indo Anglian poet, political activist and freedom fighter Sarojini Naidu (1879-1949)
Basil is a member of the Lamiaceae (mint) family and has been cultivated for thousands of years. It is believed to have originated in regions of South Asia, where certain varieties - such as Ocimum tenuiflorum (commonly known as Tulsi or Holy Basil) - hold significant cultural and religious importance, particularly within Hindu traditions.
Across different historical contexts, basil has carried symbolic associations. In ancient Greece and Rome, it was linked in various ways to themes of love, protection, and household tradition. In parts of Haitian Vodou practice, basil is associated with ritual offerings and symbolic connections to the spirit Erzulie, a figure connected with love and relationships. In Middle Eastern and Mediterranean culinary traditions, basil has also been widely used for its fragrance and flavor.
Basil is valued for its aromatic qualities, which are described as fresh, slightly sweet, and herbaceous. Like many culinary herbs, it is appreciated for its sensory characteristics and its role in cooking and traditional herbal practices. It is also commonly used in herbal wellness traditions and is sometimes included in preparations associated with relaxation and general well-being.
Basil in Aromatic and Culinary Traditions
Basil essential oil is used in perfumery and aromatherapy for its green, uplifting scent profile. It is often blended with other aromatic plants such as lavender, citrus oils, marjoram, and geranium in fragrance applications.
In cooking, basil is widely used in both fresh and dried forms. It pairs well with fruits, vegetables, grains, and other herbs, and is a key ingredient in many culinary traditions around the world, including Mediterranean and Southeast Asian cuisines.
Culinary Inspiration
Basil can be incorporated into a variety of dishes, including fruit-based preparations and herbal-infused desserts. One example of a culinary pairing is basil combined with peaches and cream, where its aromatic qualities complement the sweetness of the fruit.
Rosemary
"Are you going to Scarborough Fair? Parsley, sage, Rosemary and thyme, Remember me to one who lives there, she once was a true love of mine." -English Balaad of unknown origin. Made popular by the musicians Simon and Garfunkel when they released a recording of the love balaad in 1966.
Rosemary originates from the Mediterranean region, where it has been used since at least 500 BCE. Ancient Greek and Roman writers recorded its use as both a culinary herb and a plant associated with remembrance, ceremony, and traditional wellness practices.
Across various cultures, rosemary has also been symbolically associated with love, fidelity, and remembrance. In some European traditions, it was included in wedding customs and ceremonies, often as a symbolic herb carried or worn by brides and grooms.
The name Rosmarinus is often translated as “dew of the sea,” reflecting its coastal origins and its natural growth along Mediterranean landscapes. In mythological interpretation, rosemary is sometimes poetically linked with sea imagery and deities associated with beauty and love, including Aphrodite, though these connections are symbolic and vary across artistic traditions.
Rosemary in Traditional Uses
Rosemary has long been valued as a culinary and aromatic herb. It contains naturally occurring compounds and has been used historically in traditional herbal practices and cooking. It is also appreciated for its distinctive scent, which is described as woody, herbal, and invigorating.
Rosemary in Aromatic Practices
Rosemary essential oil is widely used in perfumery and aromatherapy for its fresh, stimulating aroma. It is often blended with other aromatic plants such as lavender, basil, citrus oils, cedarwood, and frankincense in fragrance applications.
Some aromatic traditions explore combinations of herbs for their complementary scent profiles. For example, rosemary is frequently paired with basil for a fresh herbal blend, or with cinnamon for a warmer, spiced aromatic profile.
Culinary Uses and Pairings
Rosemary is commonly used in cooking and pairs well with fruits, nuts, grains, and sweeteners such as honey or maple syrup. It is used in both savory and sweet culinary traditions across Mediterranean and modern cuisines.
Culinary Inspiration
One simple culinary idea includes baked pears with rosemary-infused maple syrup, highlighting the herb’s aromatic qualities alongside natural sweetness.
Cinnamon
"I have sprinkled my bed With myrrh, aloes and cinnamon..." Biblical Text, Proverbs 7:17
Cinnamon's roots are in Sri Lanka India, and it's use can be traced back to 2800 B.C., when the father of Chinese Medicine Shen Nung wrote about cinnamon praising it's healing properties.
In some interpretations of Aphrodite mythology, cinnamon is associated with warmth, fragrance, and sensory richness. Later artistic and literary traditions sometimes describe aromatic spices such as cinnamon as part of the symbolic imagery surrounding her presence, particularly in poetic or devotional contexts. These descriptions are metaphorical rather than historical accounts.
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum species) is a widely used spice with a long history in global trade, cuisine, and traditional practices. It has been valued for its warm, sweet, and spicy aroma, which makes it a common ingredient in both culinary and aromatic traditions across many cultures.
Cinnamon in Historical and Cultural Contexts
Cinnamon appears in a range of historical texts, including ancient religious and medical writings, where it is referenced as a valuable aromatic substance used in oils, incense, and ceremonial preparations. In biblical literature, cinnamon is listed among several aromatic ingredients used in sacred anointing oils.
Across traditions, aromatic oils infused with spices and resins were used in ritual, medicinal, and cosmetic contexts. These practices reflected the symbolic importance of scent in religious and cultural life.
Aromatic and Sensory Properties
Cinnamon essential oil is widely used in perfumery and aromatherapy for its warm, spicy aroma. It is often blended with other essential oils such as clove, ginger, citrus oils, frankincense, and floral notes like geranium or lavender in fragrance formulations.
In sensory traditions, cinnamon is often described as “warming” due to its aromatic intensity and its association with comfort, heat, and richness in culinary contexts.
Culinary Uses and Pairings
Cinnamon is a versatile spice used in both sweet and savory cooking. It pairs well with fruits such as apples, berries, peaches, and apricots, as well as with chocolate, nuts, and other warming spices like nutmeg and cloves.
Culinary Inspiration
One example of a traditional-inspired dessert is baked or pastry-based fruit dishes flavored with cinnamon, such as strawberry-rhubarb pastries dusted with spice for aroma and flavor enhancement.
Strawberries:
"There bloomed the strawberry of the wilderness; The trembling eyebright showed her sapphire blue, The thyme her purple, like the blush of Even; And if the breath of some to no caress Invited, forth they peeped so fair to view, All kinds alike seemed favourites of Heaven" -William Wordsworth (18th Century poet)
Photo by Artur Rutkowski, Public Domain
The strawberry is a member of the Rosaceae (rose) family and is native to temperate regions of North America and Europe. Wild strawberries have been documented in human use for thousands of years, with cultivation expanding significantly in the early modern period and later spreading globally.
In European antiquity, strawberries appear in folklore and symbolic traditions. In Greek and Roman mythology, they were sometimes associated with love goddesses such as Aphrodite and Venus in later poetic and artistic interpretations. These associations are symbolic and reflect the fruit’s heart-like shape and bright red color, which made it a natural emblem of love and beauty in artistic traditions.
Strawberries are naturally rich in vitamin C and antioxidant compounds, which contribute to their long-standing inclusion in traditional diets focused on vitality and general wellness. They are also a widely enjoyed fruit in culinary traditions around the world.
Strawberry in Culinary and Aromatic Contexts
Strawberries do not produce a true essential oil. However, fragrance interpretations of strawberry are commonly created using aromatic compounds in perfumery and flavor industries. In contrast, strawberry seed oil is a plant-derived oil used in cosmetic and skincare applications, valued for its lightweight texture and moisturizing properties.
Culinary Uses and Pairings
Strawberries are widely used in global cuisine and pair well with a variety of fruits, spices, nuts, and herbs. Common culinary pairings include citrus fruits, berries, stone fruits, chocolate, vanilla, mint, basil, cinnamon, and cardamom.
They are also used in desserts, beverages, and preserves across many culinary traditions.
Culinary Inspiration
One simple culinary idea is strawberries paired with dark chocolate and a light dusting of cardamom, highlighting the fruit’s natural sweetness alongside warm aromatic spice notes.
Pomegranates
“Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech is comely: thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within thy locks.” Biblical Text, Song of Solomon 4:3
Photo by Arjun Kapoor, Public domain
Pomegranates are among the oldest cultivated fruits, with origins traced to regions including modern-day Iran and surrounding areas. From there, cultivation spread widely across South Asia, the Mediterranean, and parts of Africa and the Middle East. Over thousands of years, the fruit has held cultural, symbolic, and culinary significance in many traditions.
In Greek mythology and later cultural interpretations, the pomegranate is associated with fertility, abundance, and cycles of life. It is sometimes linked symbolically with Aphrodite in artistic and literary traditions, particularly in relation to themes of beauty and seasonal renewal. In broader mythological contexts, the fruit appears in multiple cultures as a symbol of life, regeneration, and prosperity.
Because of its rich color, jewel-like seeds, and abundance of pulp, the pomegranate has often been described in symbolic language connected to vitality and life force. These associations are cultural and metaphorical in nature.
Nutritional and Traditional Uses
Pomegranates are rich in vitamin C, polyphenols, fiber, and other naturally occurring compounds. Due to this nutritional profile, they have been included in traditional diets across many cultures as part of general wellness and nourishment practices.
Some contemporary nutritional studies have explored pomegranate juice in relation to cardiovascular markers and overall dietary health. These findings are part of ongoing research into the role of plant-based foods in human health.
Pomegranate Seed Oil
Pomegranate seed oil is a plant-derived oil used in skincare and cosmetic applications. It is valued for its nourishing and moisturizing properties and is often included in formulations for hair and skin care.
As a carrier oil, it is also used in aromatherapy and cosmetic blending to support the application of essential oils in topical preparations.
Culinary Uses and Pairings
Pomegranate is widely used in global cuisine and pairs well with a variety of fruits, spices, herbs, and nuts. Common culinary pairings include citrus, apple, cardamom, cinnamon, mint, cucumber, and tropical fruits.
It is also used in both sweet and savory dishes, as well as beverages and sauces in many culinary traditions.
Culinary Inspiration
One example of a dessert-inspired preparation is a chocolate and pomegranate cheesecake, combining rich cocoa notes with the bright, tangy flavor of pomegranate seeds for contrast and texture.
Myrtle
"Knowst thou the land where the lemon trees bloom, Where the gold orange glows in the deep thicket's gloom, Where a wind ever soft from the blue heaven blows, And the groves are of laurel and myrtle and rose?" -J.W. von Goethe (17th Century poem)
Common Myrtle (Myrtus communis) is native to the Mediterranean region and parts of the Middle East. It is also cultivated in warmer climates, including regions of Southern Europe, North America, and other temperate zones.
Since antiquity, myrtle has held cultural significance in Mediterranean traditions. It has often been associated with love, beauty, and ceremonial decoration, particularly in bridal customs where sprigs of myrtle are sometimes included in wreaths or bouquets as symbolic adornment.
In ancient Greek and Roman mythology, myrtle is associated with deities of love and beauty, including Aphrodite and Venus. One mythological tradition describes Aphrodite emerging from the sea near Cythera and seeking shelter behind a myrtle bush, which contributed to the plant’s symbolic association with love and protection in later cultural interpretations. These accounts are mythological and vary across sources.
Myrtle in Aromatic Traditions
Myrtle essential oil is used in aromatherapy and traditional herbal practices for its fresh, herbal aroma. It is often described as having calming and clarifying sensory qualities and is used in fragrance blends and wellness traditions focused on relaxation and emotional balance.
In sensory and aromatherapy contexts, plants with calming aromatic profiles are sometimes associated with mood regulation and relaxation due to their perceived effects on stress and emotional state.
Aromatic Blending
Myrtle essential oil blends well with other aromatic plants such as lavender, lemon, pine, cypress, rosemary, clary sage, and citrus oils. These combinations are commonly used in perfumery, aromatherapy, and natural fragrance formulations.
Culinary and Botanical Pairings
In culinary traditions, myrtle has been used in certain regional cuisines and pairs well with fruits, nuts, herbs, and spices such as cherry, peach, plum, almond, vanilla, cardamom, and mint.
Culinary Inspiration
One example of a dessert-inspired preparation is a berry and lemon pavlova with subtle myrtle infusion, highlighting the plant’s aromatic qualities in a culinary context.
The Iris Flower
“What in your life is calling you? When all the noise is silenced, the meetings adjourned, the lists laid aside, and the wild iris blooms by itself in the dark forest, what still pulls on your soul?" -Rumi (13th Century Persian Poet and Sufi Master)
Iris Flower photo By Penubag, Public Domain
The iris flower has been recorded in historical sources dating back to approximately 1469 BCE. In ancient Egypt, King Thutmose III is said to have cultivated irises extensively within royal gardens. Over time, the iris became associated with royalty, prestige, and ornamental horticulture, and it was later cultivated in botanical traditions across Europe and other regions.
In France, a stylized representation of the iris, known as the fleur-de-lis, became a prominent symbol associated with monarchy and state iconography. Across different cultures, the iris has been valued both for its ornamental beauty and for the aromatic qualities of its root.
The root of certain iris species, commonly referred to as orris root, has historically been used in perfumery. When dried and processed, it develops a subtle, violet-like fragrance that has been valued in traditional fragrance making and cosmetic preparations. It has also appeared in historical herbal practices focused on aromatic and sensory applications.
Iris in Mythological and Symbolic Contexts
In Greek mythology, Iris is also the name of a messenger goddess associated with communication and the rainbow. While botanical iris flowers share her name, later symbolic interpretations have sometimes drawn connections between the flower and themes of beauty, femininity, and transformation. These associations are cultural and interpretive rather than literal.
Aromatic and Traditional Uses
Orris root has been widely used in perfumery due to its soft, powdery, floral scent. In fragrance traditions, it is often considered a base note ingredient and is blended with a variety of floral, resinous, and woody materials.
Orris root essential oil and extracts are commonly combined with ingredients such as rose, jasmine, sandalwood, vetiver, frankincense, citrus oils, and lavender in perfumery applications.
In traditional aromatherapy and herbal practices, iris-derived materials have been valued for their grounding, calming, and balancing aromatic qualities.
Botanical and Fragrance Applications
Iris and orris root appear in historical and modern fragrance-making traditions, particularly in fine perfumery and cosmetic formulations. These uses focus primarily on scent, texture, and blending properties rather than functional effects.
Rose
If the rose is a beautiful flower, it is also because it opens itself. – Charles De Leusse
Roses are native to the Northern Hemisphere, with species found across Asia, Europe, North America, and parts of North Africa. Fossil evidence suggests that ancestral forms of roses date back approximately 35 million years, highlighting their long evolutionary and ecological history.
In many ancient cultures, roses held strong symbolic significance. In Roman tradition, roses were associated with Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, and were used in ceremonial decoration, including wreaths and garlands in weddings and public celebrations. In Greek cultural traditions, wild roses were also symbolically linked with Aphrodite in later artistic and mythological interpretations, often representing beauty, devotion, and natural abundance.
Across Mediterranean and Near Eastern traditions, roses have long been valued for their fragrance and ornamental qualities. Rose petals were commonly used in ceremonial spaces, decorative contexts, and early perfumery practices.
Botanical and Nutritional Context
Rose petals and rose-derived products contain naturally occurring aromatic compounds and antioxidants. They have been used in culinary and herbal traditions for both flavor and fragrance.
Roses in Aromatic Traditions
Rose essential oil is widely regarded in perfumery as a highly valued floral ingredient. It is often described as soft, complex, and richly floral, and is used in fragrance blending across many traditions.
In aromatherapy and sensory practices, rose is commonly associated with emotional comfort, relaxation, and sensory appreciation due to its distinctive aroma.
Rose oil blends well with a wide range of other aromatic materials, including sandalwood, frankincense, geranium, cardamom, patchouli, and citrus oils. In perfumery, rose is often used as a central floral note around which other scents are balanced.
Culinary and Botanical Uses
Roses are also used in culinary traditions, particularly in the form of rose petals, rose water, and rose extracts. These ingredients appear in desserts, beverages, and confections across Middle Eastern, South Asian, and European cuisines.
Rose pairs well with ingredients such as chocolate, cardamom, cinnamon, and saffron in culinary applications.
Culinary Inspiration
One example of a traditional-inspired beverage is spiced hot chocolate infused with rose and saffron notes, reflecting the historical use of floral and spice combinations in celebratory drinks and desserts.
Myrrh
"I arose to open for my beloved, and my hands dripped with myrrh." - Biblical Text, Song of Solomon 5:5
Myrrh is an aromatic resin obtained from the shrub Commiphora myrrha, native to arid regions of Northeast Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, including areas such as Somalia, Ethiopia, and Yemen. Its use has been documented since antiquity, where it was widely valued as both a fragrance and a ceremonial material.
Myrrh was an important trade commodity in the ancient world, appearing in records from as early as the second millennium BCE. It was exchanged across trade networks linking the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, Egypt, and Mesopotamia, and became integrated into many cultural, medicinal, and ritual practices.
In ancient Mesopotamian traditions, myrrh was used in incense blends offered during ceremonial rites. In ancient Egypt, it was incorporated into religious and funerary practices and associated with purification and sacred preparation. In Greek and Roman contexts, myrrh was also valued in incense and perfumery traditions and used in ritual offerings.
Across these cultures, myrrh was regarded as a precious aromatic substance, often associated with purification, reverence, and transition in ceremonial settings.
Aromatic and Traditional Uses
In aromatherapy and perfumery traditions, myrrh is valued for its warm, resinous, and grounding aroma. It is commonly used in incense, perfumes, and oil blends due to its long-lasting and stabilizing fragrance profile.
Traditional systems of aromatic practice often associate myrrh with grounding, emotional balance, and contemplative states, particularly in contexts involving meditation or ritual preparation.
Myrrh blends well with other aromatic materials such as frankincense, sandalwood, cinnamon, cassia, clove, lavender, eucalyptus, jasmine, lemon, juniper berry, and grapefruit in fragrance applications.
References:
1. ἀφροδισιακόν. Liddell, Henry George; Scott, Robert; A Greek–English Lexicon at the Perseus Project.^ "
4. Association Between Marijuana Use and Sexual Frequency in the United States: A Population-Based Study, 1. Department of Urology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.2. Department of Urology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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Author: Renee Boje
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