Aromatherapy Candles
In the last decade or so, aromatherapy candles have come into the mainstream. And in the last few years, they have come into their own.
Imagine, candles that can help you relax. Get energized. Concentrate better. Create a specific mood. Just feel better in general.
In this fast-paced world, we too-often tend to reach for food for our comfort, and our waistlines tend to show it. Instead, use aromatherapy to put you back on an even keel.
How Aromatherapy Works
Traditional aromatherapy uses essential oils from plants to affect your mood or your health. The essential oils have been used in conjunction with massage therapy, baths, creams and more
Essential oil holders made from unglazed clay, are used to diffuse scent in a small area. The oils are absorbed by the clay and the aroma is released to the atmosphere. Other forms of diffusers include sprays and heated forms (like simmering in hot, but not boiling, water).
Essential oils break down rapidly once exposed to heat and air. Oil (almond oil is a favorite) can slow down the release of scent. making it last longer. However, oil is best used in conjunction with either a massage or moisturizer (like after a bath).
Some consider aromatherapy a form of alternative medicine. However, it really has gone more mainstream. For example, there are salves made with eucalyptus oil to help congestion. Clove oil is known to help a painful tooth. Lavender is known to promote sleep.
Enter Aromatherapy Candles
Essential oils have a limited life span, once exposed to light, heat and/or air. So traditional aromatherapy with essential oils wasn't working quite as expected when it came to candles.
The idea was born to use a mixture of natural and synthetic ingredients to create a stable scent that would survive the light/heat/air combination of candles.
Enter aromatherapy candles -- the fragrant pharmacy.
At first, the aromatherapy candle fragrance used most were those popular in traditional aromatherapy -- rose, lavender, lemon, pine, etc. Then blends became popular.
There were blends for relaxation, to energize, for concentration and such. The basic premise was to use the scents of essential oils, but in a synthetic version.
Today, you can find candles labeled aromatherapy just about anywhere -- even in the grocery store! However, good aromatherapy candles will be richly scented, so that the frangrance lasts until the end, and one of the popular ones are aromatherapy soy candles.
Need some suggestions? Here are some ideas for popular aromatherapy scents.
There are also options for blending your own fragrances! If you have a wax melting simmer pot for a flamless candle, you can often put in two scents of wax to create your own special mood! Can you imagine relaxing to the soft scent of lavender mixed with french vanilla? Heaven in one deep breath!
Are Candles Real Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is based on the use of essential oils by themselves -- not mixed with synthetic ingredients, like those found in many candle and soap fragrances. In this respect, candles are not "real" aromatherapy. This is because essential oils break down too fast in a flame, and frankly, when they are burning they sometimes don't smell very good!
However, flameless candles offer an alternative -- to mix the wonderful richly scented candle along with essential oils. Because the essential oils are warming instead of burning, you can enjoy their aromatherapy benefits and lovely scent. Just be sure to pick a candle fragrance that compliments the essential oil (or vice versa).
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