Aromatherapy Benefits

What are some aromatherapy benefits? What makes them work to soothe or energize?

Aromatherapy Scented Candles and Oils How can simply smelling something work to make you feel better?

If these are some of your questions, let's look at the benefits of aromatherapy, from a scented candle point of view.

Aromatherapy -- Called "The Fragrant Pharmacy"

The whole idea of aromatherapy started with the use of essential oils. Typically, they are mixed with a carrier oil (like almond) and massaged onto the body. The scent was a pleasant side-effect.

Then people began to realize that by simply smelling certain oils, they could reap the benefits. For example -- lavender and chamomile are well known for helping to relax for sleep. Lemon is great for clarity of thought. Rose and geranium and both balancing and soothing.

Another example: Smelling ginger can help with motion sickness, especially if you start sniffing before (or just as) the sickness starts.

(Take a look at the sidebar on the right to see some links for studies that have been done regarding aromatherapy.)

Now let's take at look at aromatherapy scents from a candle-eye view.

Aromatherapy Benefits and Candles

Now, richly scented candles rarely use straight essential oils. Rather, they use synthetic fragrances that mimic the smell of essential oils. Some of it is because essential oils don't always smell good when they are actually burning (like in the flame). Part of the reason is that synthetic fragrances are more stable in scent.

So, the question is -- can aromatherapy using scented candles actually have any benefits such as those using essential oils?

The answer is both yes and no. Yes, because think about it -- when you light a lavender or french vanilla scented candle, doesn't it relax you some? Don't you feel a little zippier when you burn a lemon or other citrus candle?

No, because essential oils can have other qualities that can't truly be mimicked. Burning a peppermint candle when you have a headache won't give you the same type of relief as rubbing a drop of peppermint essential oil (in a tiny amount of oil) on your temples.

Still, richly scented candles do offer some of the benefits of aromatherapy. Perhaps they can better be described as providing mood therapy. Wouldn't you agree?

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Please remember to always monitor any candles closely, while you are burning them or melting them. Don't be a statistic -- be safe!

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