There are so many varieties of candles made from different types of wax with different chemicals, colouring agents, artificial fragrances and more. For that reason it can get confusing when trying to understand what type of candle is the best for your health. In this article you will discover the truth about candles and will have a clear understanding of how to shop and what to look out for.
Which candle wax is best?
Paraffin wax
Generally, any pure wax is good, as long as the candle wax doesn't contain paraffin. Paraffin wax is commonly used in candle production and is a nasty chemical based wax made of hydrocarbons, it is bad for your skin and is known to clog your pores.
When it is burning it irritates the eyes and can cause problems in your respiratory tract. When it burns it produces highly toxic benzene and toluene which are known carcinogens.
Soy wax
The best natural waxes include pure soy wax, beeswax, coconut wax, and hemp wax. Even though these do not contain those toxic carcinogens that were mentioned above, they are not all made equally. Soy wax for example is sometimes marketed as organic but in the truth is that no soy wax can be organic because it is made from genetically modified soy beans. It is a healthier option but is not as natural as you may think, in terms of burn time, soy wax will not burn for as long as beeswax.
Soy wax is one of the best waxes in a candle for health, as long as it doesn't contain paraffin and is a pure wax with no artificial colouring agents, chemicals or synthetic fragrances it is much better for you and your environment. Soy wax produces 90% less soot than paraffin which makes it less carcinogenic. There are not any health benefits to burning soy but there are many reasons why you should use it instead of parrafin.
Why soy wax is better than paraffin wax
- Zero toxins
- No added carcinogens
- No pollutants
- Less likely to trigger allergies.
Soy wax is biodegradable, it has a low melting point compared to paraffin causing it to burn much slower and for longer (up to 50% longer intact.) Paraffin contains known carcinogens whereas soy wax is made from genetically modified soy beans.
Despite the soy beans being GMO, they are still a more sustainable wax that produces little to no soot, contains no carcinogens, or toxins and is far less likely to trigger allergies, whilst also supporting soybean farmers. It is a 100% vegan-friendly wax, as you may be aware that beeswax comes from bees, tallow comes from animal fat, and some wax even comes from whales, and dolphins.
On top of these benefits of why soy wax is better than other waxes, soy wax has also been shown to offer better scent distribution, with the use of essential oils mixed in with the wax. You should make sure that the fragrance is from essential oils and not synthetics otherwise it may be harmful to your health.
Beeswax
Beeswax is the most natural type of wax that you can get, it is a byproduct of bees and has the longest burn time. Even without scent it has a natural floral aroma, the only downside is that it is not suitable for vegans.
Candle wick
The candle wick is also an important factor, the best wicks are made from wood, cotton and paper. Again, some of them can be coated in paraffin to make them last longer. We would recommend that you avoid this type of wick at all costs.
Fragrance
A word about fragrance, most fragrances produced in products are artificially made and are known as synthesised. These contain more chemical pollutants that cause havoc on health. You should always check ingredients before use if you have any allergies. Some candles contain pure organic essential oil which is a scent that is derived from a plant, options include lavender, citrus, and many more. This type of fragrance is the best as it is natural and is less likely to be harmful.
Essential oils are powerful and should be used with care as they are highly concentrated and could be dangerous if not used correctly. These oils can boost your mood and improve your overall health-promoting relaxation, and more. Make sure to always extinguish candles when you go to sleep, never leave them unattended. Our candles are naturally scented, handmade, biodegradable, eco friendly ensuring no harm to you or the environment.
The benefits of essential oil
Essential oils are compounds that are extracted from plants, commonly used in aromatherapy and is a form of alternative medicine. They can be good for your health providing many health benefits that can vary from oil to oil. These oils are obtained through - water-steam distillation or via mechanical methods such as crushing, or cold pressing.
The oils capture the scent of the plant, sometimes they are mixed with a carrier oil so that it is ready to be used. How it is extracted is very important, if the oil is extracted via chemical means, it is not a true essential oil and can have some nasty side effects.
Before we look at the benefits, you must know that essential oils are not meant to be consumed/swallowed. Doing this can be very dangerous due to a high concentration of certain chemicals within the oil, you should also not put neat oil on the skin as it can be absorbed, and cause severe skin irritation. The safest way to use essential oils is to diffuse them with an oil burner.
Popular essential oils and health benefits
- Peppermint can be used to boost energy and can help you with digestion. It has a fresh aroma that can also do good for your immune system!
- Lavender is commonly used for stress, anxiety and depression relief. It has a very nice smell that is so soothing.
- Chamomile can improve your mood and promote relaxation, it does have somewhat of a sedative pain relief effect.
- Sandalwood is used to calm the nerves and help improve your focus.
- Jasmine used to help with depression and sexual libido.
- Lemon can aid in digestion, uplift your mood, improve headaches.
- Tea tree is one of the most popular essential oils, it can help fight infections and boost your immune system.
There are over 90 common essential oils, each one provides health benefits, studies have shown that they can have antibiotic, antimicrobial effects, as well as reducing inflammation around the body, improving sleep quality (especially Lavender) providing relief from headaches, migraines and reducing anxiety, stress, and depression. It can be used to help freshen up laundry as well as scent your homes.
Important factors determining a high-quality oil include purity, it should be pure with no artificial fragrances added, no chemicals, it should be extracted by distillation or mechanical cold pressing, organic would be the best also to make sure that It does not contain large amounts of pesticides and fertilizers. Remember, just because they are natural that does not mean that they are completely safe, plants and herbs contain bioactive compounds.
Here are some side effects that they can cause: Rash, asthma attack, headaches, allergic reactions. The most common side effect is simply a rash but they can cause more serious effects. Essential oils such as cinnamon are high in phenols which can cause severe skin irritation so it should not be used on the skin without being mixed with a carrier beforehand.
Warning: you should never take any essential oils orally and should always keep them out of reach of children. If swallowed seek medical help immediately. Never leave lit candles unattended.
Health benefits of candlelight
Many of us get to bed with our phones, laptops, tv on or even use artificial light from a lamp. Having candlelight available at any time of the day that you need light, helps promote mental awareness, relieves stress, anxiety, depression etc. Aromatherapy candles with essential oils added have different types of benefits depending on the oils.
Having a candle lit in the room you are in adds a cosy and intimate atmosphere. A romantic relaxing setting that everyone can enjoy, creating calmness all around. Health professionals such as massage therapists, mental health therapists use candles to create an environment that promotes a peaceful ambience in the room, and with scented oil burners, this makes the perfect massage/yoga setting.
Part of a healthy lifestyle is taking care of your mind, and using a candle will help this tremendously, it is great for your well-being. When it comes to all candles, you should never leave candles unattended, and should always make sure the flames are put out / extinguished before going to sleep.
Candles with essential oils such as lavender and patchouli can fill the room with a gentle scent, quieting your mind, and help promote relaxation before bed. So sit back, relax and enjoy the road to mental recovery, drop every stressful thing around you and breath. Here is a wonderful set of four aromatherapy candles made from soy wax and natural essential oils. They are super calming, and are healthy too.
What Are Buddhist Chakra Candles?
According to the dictionary, The word ‘chakra defines seven centres of spiritual power within the human body, they are circular energies that are on different parts of the spinal column. Before we can look at candles we must learn more. Each chakra is responsible for various organs and glands. The seven chakras from top to bottom are Root, Sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye, and crown.
Root Chakra
The root is associated with security, safety, physicality, grounding, it supports us with growing. If your root is not balanced you might experience the following: Negativity, greed, insecurity, constant survival mode. it is red in colour, we can take part in earth-activities that will help restore balance such as, gardening, hiking, cooking natural foods, and connecting with nature or by using a root chakra candle that has essential oils that will stimulate this part of your body and mind.
Sacral Chakra
The sacral is associated with your emotions, relationships, sexuality expression, your creativity and fantasies. If your sacral is unbalanced you may experience the following: dependency on other people or substances that give you pleasure, being ruled by emotions, either overindulgence in sexual fantasies or the complete opposite, feeling stuck in a feeling or mood. It is orange in colour.
Solar Plexus
The solar plexus is located in the pit of your stomach, and is largely responsible for organ, metabolism functions. It is yellow in colour. Imbalances could show themselves as lack of clear direction, purpose or ambition, feelings of helplessness, obsessing over minor details.
Heart Chakra
The heart is associated with love, joy, it’s the balance point for all of the other chakras, it is the centre and most important for happiness and feelings of compassion. It is green in colour, signs that it might be blocked include: if you are holding grudges, feel detached from your emotions, numb from feeling love, detachment and you seem withdrawn.
Throat Chakra
It’s the voice of your body, the outlet for all your chakras to be expressed, it is blue in colour, signs that it is blocked include hormonal fluctuations, pain in your neck, or discomfort within the throat itself, you may feel unable to speak your mind, angry, reactive. To restore this balance you could try chanting ‘Hum’, listen to binaural tones, eat healthy fruits, write down your thoughts on paper to clear your mind, deep breathing mindfulness, listen to others, try yoga, drink more water, spend more time being silent, appreciate everything you have and are grateful for.
Third Eye
The third eye is positioned on your forehead, it is the sixth chakra, and is purple in colour. Signs that you may have an imbalance are poor concentration, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, insomnia and migraines. To restore balance burning essential oils in an oil burner can work well, consider oils such as Juniper, Sandalwood, Rosemary, Frankincense, Marjoram and Sage. Meditation and, yoga is also very effective by doing popular positions: Childs pose, forward bends, and shoulder stands.
Crown Chakra
The crown is very complex, It’s pink in colour, and is located at the very top of your head. Just as the root' it connects us to nature and the universe. It is associated with consciousness, awareness, wisdom, realisation, if you have an imbalance you could experience closed-mindedness, disconnection from your body and other matters or obsessed attachments, depression, nerve pain. This blog is for educational purposes and by no means should be used as a guide over professional advice.
If you have any medical condition or have severe symptoms, you should always consult a professional. Chakra candles are candles that contain these elements are used in Buddhism and meditation to boost your inner chakra promoting health, happiness, stability and more simply by using essential oils that stimulate the specific chakra that you have an imbalance in.
