There is so much to know about Pheromones, that for efficiency's sake, I've prepared an outline of facts. Knowledge used wisely will bring results. The more knowledge we have, the wiser our choices will be. We will start at the root of the word itself and branch outward toward learning to use our own pheromones to create positive outcomes and reduce negative reactions in our lovers, our friends, and those around us.

If we take a look at the word "Pheromone" itself we can learn many things.

• The word Pheromone originated from the Greek language, from which, it literally means "I carry excitement."

• Here's what Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary has to say on the subject: Pheromone (fer-a-mon, soft a) - a chemical substance that is produced by an animal and serves as a stimulus to other individuals of the same species for one or more behavioral responses.

• A more scientific approach would be to define pheromones as hormonal secretions which stimulate a biological or behavioral response from individuals of the like species. Or, more specifically to us, human pheromones are steroid molecules, produced in the skin.

• A more detailed definition is: any substance that, when transmitted from one organism to another of the same species elicits a behavioral, developmental or physiological response. It get broken down like this:

a. Signaling pheromones educe a behavioral response such as: territorial indicators and sexual attractants. Signaling pheromones (although they usually react immediately) have short-term effects, but they are released during critical moments, such as when initiating copulation. Signaling pheromones are chemical signals formed by one individual that result in behavioral changes in another person.

b. Priming pheromones bring forth biological or developmental influences on the recipient, and require time to take hold. These are odiferous molecules and they seem to play a key role in our natural functions (predominantly when fertility and reproduction are concerned). Priming pheromones are also a key player when it comes to puberty acceleration. These pheromones may also be responsible for the reason why women who live together tend to have the same or similar menstruation cycles.

Pheromones have a variety of Functional Groups which are responsible for an assortment of results including (but, certainly not all inclusive):

• Alarm and Aggression: Have you ever wondered why when you get certain dogs, or cats, or guys, or girls, together they always fight? This may very well be due to the alarm and aggression pheromones they put out toward each other.

• Recognition: Most animals know the essence of their mates; highly-tuned humans do as well. Recognition pheromones include both sex pheromones and territorial indicators for attraction during mating and courtship periods; as well as more direct libido responses.

• Repellents: These may be caused by fear or natural instinct. Our pheromones, as well as attracting, can also repel.

• Many other pheromone responses are key in the insect kingdom, but not as relevant to humans. However, understanding pheromones in a larger scope can give us ideas of the potentials possible when dealing with pheromones. Some (but, certainly far from a complete list) interesting responses are:

a. Caste regulatory actions (in Queen Bees these pheromones prevent ovary development in workers bees, thus the queen does rearing).

b. Funeral Pheromones which are found in social insects like ants. These pheromones are given off by the dead and prompt the insects to carry off the dead and perform what can be described as an insect version of a funeral.

c. Recruitment and Trail Pheromones which are produced by insects can mark the location of food. These pheromones are laid down upon return to the nest, and dispel rapidly thereafter.

This knowledge begs a number of questions: Which behavioral responses do pheromones control in humans specifically? Are there ways to control our pheromones to get the behavioral responses we desire? Can Pheromones help us get the desired sexual response from the people we want? How about love, safety, warmth, and happiness - can pheromones help us produce these responses? Good sex in a physical sense is wonderful. But, can pheromones give us greater synergy within sexual relationships, and society in general?

• Pheromones: Pheromones have been eloquently called chemical communication. They are nature's way of getting the body what it needs from others. Pheromones help us through many of the most fundamental phases of our lives. These momentous times include giving us the correct responses during breastfeeding, as well as being a ready and present helper when we are selecting our mates. Like all communication, there are sometimes barriers, which need to be dealt with. There are methods that can accentuate our pheromones, so the communication is loud and clear. Some of the most popular methods are use of aromatherapy, basic food and fitness pheromone boosters, and use of animal pheromones.

• Human Pheromones: Some scientists believe that certain pheromones convey quite detailed communication. Feelings as detailed as "I am ready and willing" or "I think you're hot," or "I'm available and interested." It is also believed that pheromones help women choose a man whose immune system would best match for her own if she were to become impregnated by him. These qualities are all quite vital for sexual communication. We have all felt the silent excitement of pheromones. We may not have known what it was at the time. Now that we better understand the power of pheromones, we can learn which resources have been known to enhance the positive traits our own skin manufactures.

• Plants Pheromones: A drawback to mixing one human pheromone with another is that a poorly matched mix may trigger aggression. On the other hand, plant pheromones tend to product peaceful actions upon the body and mind. They encourage a sense of calm and balance. Plants use natural chemicals (pheromones) to attract pollinators (like bees) to their buds. Many plant pheromones have a similar chemistry to animal pheromones. Included in the list are: musk melons, musk hyacinths, musk cherries, musk thistle, musk rose, musk plums and musk wood. It is not surprising that they all have "musk" in their name, as musk (described below) is an animal pheromone produced by select mammals. Many plants and animals alike use pheromones to obtain the preferred behavioral response from potential prey, predators, peers, sexual partners and potential sexual partners. It is not surprising that many of the fragrance molecules found in plants also occur in insect, animal, and human pheromones.

a. How Essential Oils work: Essential Oils are called the "Life Blood" of the plant. A plant's essential oil is its most fragrant element. Essential Oils (or EOs) contain an abundance of healing properties. Plants use EOs as hormones for development and procreation. More often than not essential oils and plant pheromones serve multi-purpose functions. For instance, the scents which attract pollinating insects to plants also protect the plant from predators, as well as offer defense against bacterial, viral and fungal invasions. Some plants have very high concentrations of essential oils, which act to protect the plant. Essential oils may be derived from most parts of any given plant. Flowers produce essential oils that have hypnotic, almost narcotic actions on the body in large doses; these oils generate general feelings of relaxation in smaller doses. Some of the family notes within essential oils are: Floral, Wood, Spice, Sweet, Herbaceous, Citrus, and more. Every family contains plant pheromones, and all produce unique responses. Responses to the same oil will often vary slightly and sometimes drastically between recipients. To learn more about the chemistry of essential oils, I refer you to a former article

b. Which Essential Oils work best for you: Some testing has been done on which essential oils work best with human pheromones. Amongst the most effective essential oils tested are: Jasmine, Ylang Ylang, Lavender, Sandalwood, Patchouli, and Nutmeg. Although a far more extensive list of EOs may be used to enhance sexual prowess. And since all people are different, your list of most effective essential oils will be made up of choices that are irreplaceably the essence of you.

c. Essential Oils that mimic the Animal Pheromone musk: In addition to all those musky plants mentioned above, it has been noted that the essential oils of angelica and ambrette work like the animal pheromone, musk.

- Angelica essential oil has a rich, earthy, herbaceous scent. Like pheromones, it helps protect against bacteria and fungi. It has been used to strengthen the immune system, help with nervous fatigue, and as an aid to digestion.

-Ambrette Seed essential oil is considered an aphrodisiac. It has a sweet, floral, yet musky scent. In addition to helping sex drive, it may also help reduce stress, nervous tension, and anxiety.

• Health and Fitness: Oh course, for our bodies as whole (which includes our pheromone levels and responses) to be in peak shape for sex, we must eat correctly and stay in good shape.

a. Pheromone Foods
- Celery contains androstenone. Androstene is said to be a biochemical relative of testosterone (a primary male hormone). Thus, it is sometimes used to regulate male pheromones.

- Truffles (as in mushrooms, not chocolate) Truffles are at their peak in January and February. They are thought to be aphrodisiacs because of their musky scent. This musky scent foreshadows the fact that they contain substances that mimic pheromones. Truffles are high in phosphorus which is an important mineral for a healthy sex drive. I have read that the truffles most cherished by gourmets (and thought to have the best aphrodisiac properties) are fungi that have an odor virtually indistinguishable to androstenol, which is a naturally produced sexual attractant.

- Chocolate (as in the least processed chocolate that is available and pleasing to you) Chocolate is known to increase serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a happy chemical; it can make a direct change on a person's mood, as well as a person's libido. Chocolate can gently stimulate the central nervous system. It contains amphetamine-like chemicals which are similar to the pheromones the body produces when we're in love.

- Herbs (for cooking and tea) These herbs (as stated above) have properties which are similar to animal pheromones: musk melons, musk hyacinths, musk cherries, musk thistle, musk rose, musk plums and musk wood

b. Exercise stimulates the production of endorphins. It is thought that people who exercise consistently can get addicted to their own endorphins. As with everything, exercise is best when balanced. Push yourself hard, but don't over do it. Sweat is a common source of pheromones in mammals (as we produce pheromones through our skin). Humans have over three million sweat glands on their skin; each may be able to create fresh pheromones.

• Animal Pheromones - Within the world of the wild, sexual attraction depends upon the use of pheromones to attract a mate. Throughout the animal kingdom unique chemical compounds have been identified. Each of these pheromones has been shown to bring about a particular sexual response. These responses usually stimulate mating behavior by triggering different centers in the brain. In some species pheromones will cause restrained reactions (repellents - see above)). Both types of pheromone responses are important to chemical communication in the animal world. There are also animal pheromones that have shown positive reactions when mixed with human pheromones.

a. Musk is a robust pheromone from musk deer, musk ducks, musky moles, muskrats, musk ox and musk beetles. Musk is believed to strongly simulate the smell of testosterone. Therefore, it is said to attract women. For those that dislike using animal products, similar pheromones exist in musk melons, musk hyacinths, musk cherries, musk thistle, musk rose, musk plums and musk wood (see above).

b. Ambergris a pheromone-rich secretion of sperm whales. This sweet, musky perfume is made from the intestines of the sperm whale. At one time many whales were killed for the substance. Now doing so is frowned upon; Ambergris is obtained either from whales that have beached themselves (and died), or it is found floating in the sea. It does not smell pleasant at all until the sun is allowed to harden it. Once that happens the scent becomes intoxicating. When applied to the body it attracts potential lovers, and enchants the wearer as well.

c. Other chemicals similar to pheromones which are found in the animal kingdom are: skatole and civetone produced by the civet cat and Viverra civetta, and castoreum released by the Canadian beaver.

Within the human body, we do use pheromones (secreted through our skin) to communicate with each other; to defend and safeguard against harm; to distinguish each other; and to connect with each other in a subtle, silent, intuitive way. Sometimes we like each other instantly (or heaven forbid, dislike each other). These reactions are the result of many circumstances. Pheromones are responsible for a large part of these responses.

• There are subclasses of pheromones, so keep in mind, not all pheromones will produce the desired response. When dealing with the sexual aspects of pheromones, we are most interested in Releasers, as opposed to Primers.

a. Releasers stimulate an instant reaction and work to help our signaling pheromones educe the sexual responses we are looking for.

b. Primers work to physiologically change our endocrine or reproductive structures.

• The advantages that the correct pheromone levels can give us are: new and deeper heights of communication, higher energy levels, an increase in our confidence (sexual and otherwise), and of course, the rewards of either attracting new sexual partners or increasing the pleasure in existing sexual relationships.

• Some things we need to watch for when trying to control our hormones levels: when we wash, what we wash with, and what chemicals are in our environment which might clash with our perfect pheromone balance.

a. I recommend washing with a gentle natural soap, enhanced with essential oils. A gentle soap will not wash away all of your natural pheromones, and certain essential oils (as described above) will enhance your desired pheromone balance.

b. Try to eat foods that are not heavily processed. If you are a purist, organic is the way to go.

c. Our bodies can better defend themselves and maintain proper balance when they are least exposed (internally or externally) to harsh man-made chemicals.

Now we know much about pheromones and how to maintain healthy pheromone levels. Knowledge used wisely will bring results. The more knowledge we have the wiser our choices will be. Once you grasp the basics of pheromones you can use your own pheromones to create positive outcomes and reduce negative reactions. Start with sex, and branch outward.