Archive for the ‘Aromatherapy’ Category
Aromatherapy Soy Candles
Aromatherapy soy candles have become quite popular these days, peering at us from all over. We see the flicker of the flames and take in the delightful fragrance. Ahhhh!
But why are soy candles for aromatherapy so popular these days? What makes them so good? Is there a best kind to burn -- shape or size? Let's find out.
Why Scented Soy Candles?
The natural waxes of soy and other vegetables hold the most fragrance of any kind of wax. Because they can be so richly scented, they are a natural for aromatherapy applications.
Other kinds of wax will sputter, and the candle performance suffer, if they had the same amount of fragrance as do soy and other vegratable waxes.
(Actually, in some cases the fragrance oil would separate out from the wax, giving it an oily feel.)
Shape and Size
Is there a special shape or size you should use? For example, are scented soy pillar candles better than jars or votives? What about tapers and flameless candles (melts) -- can they be used?
Fortunately, the shape and size of aromatherapy soy candles is more along the lines of what is best for the decor, and the size room where you'll be burning the candles.
In general, tapers aren't the best choice for scented soy candles; pillars, jars and votives are best when you want to have a flame. If you can't have an open flame, consider flameless candles, also called "melts".
If you are scenting a large room, several candles may serve you best, placed strategically around the room. If you are more enclosed, however, smaller aromatherapy soy candles will be a good match, even down to votive size.
Buying Aromatherapy Soy Candles
Now that you're ready to choose your candles, is there anything else you need to consider?
Obviously scent is one -- do you like the aroma? Is it too heavy or too light? You want to be able easily discern the scent, but not be smothered by it. Fortunately, there are many fragrances available, so you'll find one or more right for you.
If you're buying a pillar or votives, do you have holders for them? A votive works best when it's in a holder with a snug fit. A pillar needs a thick glass or ceramic base.
Scented jar candles have the advantage of being able to close the container between burnings, saving the aroma even more.
If you choose the flameless or "melt" candles, do you have a warmer for the wax, so that it melts properly and releases the fragrance? If not, you'll be well-served by purchasing one specifically made for candles.
You can buy aromatherapy soy and palm candles both locally and online. Obviously, buying them locally lets you give them the "sniff" test. Buying online has the advantage of many more fragrances, as well as some excellent pricing.
Tags: Aromatherapy Benefits
What are some aromatherapy benefits? What makes them work to soothe or energize?
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?
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).