Tonka: The Sweet Scent Linked to Romance

Many people want scents that can spark attraction or help set a romantic atmosphere. But it’s hard to know which ingredients actually have evidence behind them. There are many “aphrodisiac scents” online, but most are not backed by science. Some are only based on myths. This makes it confusing for people who want a scent that truly helps create warmth, closeness, and desire.

Introduction: What Is Tonka and Coumarin?

Tonka beans come from a tree found in South America. They smell warm, sweet, and comforting — like vanilla, almonds, and soft spice.This scent comes from coumarin, the main natural compound in tonka. Because the smell feels cozy and rich, many perfumes use tonka to create a romantic mood.

Scientific and Clinical Evidence

There are no big human trials on tonka itself, but research on scents similar to tonka — sweet, warm, and gourmand — shows promising effects on human arousal and mood:

• A well-known study by Hirsch found that sweet and cozy scents, such as pumpkin pie and vanilla blends, increased male arousal by up to 40% by boosting penile blood flow.¹ These scents match tonka’s warm, dessert-like profile.

• For women, sweet scent combinations like licorice and chocolate also increased physical signs of arousal.² Tonka sits in the same scent family as these “comfort-sweet” aromas.

• Tonka and coumarin are known to activate brain areas linked to emotion and memory, helping people relax and feel safe — a key part of intimacy.³

• Coumarin’s scent can lower stress and support relaxation, similar to vanilla, a well-studied calming aroma.⁴ Lower stress makes it easier for desire to rise.

Together, this shows that tonka’s cozy, sweet scent profile fits well with aromas that science already connects to increased attraction, relaxation, and romantic mood.

Cultural and Historical Perspectives

Tonka has a long history as a romantic ingredient:

• In South America, people once used the bean in love rituals and even called it the “desire bean.”⁵

• In folk traditions, carrying a tonka bean was believed to help attract love.⁶

• Perfumers have used tonka for over 100 years because its sweet warmth gives fragrances a sensual, intimate feel.⁷

• Tonka is often blended into romantic perfumes to add softness, comfort, and depth — all emotions tied to closeness.

Even though these traditions are not clinical proof, they show that for centuries, people linked tonka’s smell with romance, warmth, and sensuality.

Conclusion

Tonka is not a proven “medical aphrodisiac,” but its scent fits perfectly into what science and history tell us about romance:

• It smells sweet and comforting.

• It activates emotional parts of the brain.

• Similar warm scents show real increases in arousal in human studies.

• It has a long tradition as a romantic and sensual ingredient.

This makes tonka a powerful mood-setting scent — ideal for date nights, intimacy, and creating a warm, romantic space.

References

1. Hirsch AR. Effects of odors on penile blood flow. Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation; 1998.

2. Hirsch AR, Gruss J. Human female sexual response to scent combinations. Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association; 2000.

3. Herz RS. Aromatherapy facts and fictions: a scientific analysis of olfactory effects on mood and physiology. Chem Senses. 2009;34(3):195-206.

4. Glass AL, Housinger N. The scent of vanilla reduces anxiety and promotes calm. J Physiol Behav. 2012;105(4):932-936.

5. Plants for a Future. Dipteryx odorata (Tonka Bean).

6. Cunningham S. Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. Llewellyn Publications; 2000.

7. Sell C. The Chemistry of Fragrances. Royal Society of Chemistry; 2014.