Aromatherapy Candles and Oils

Maybe you've heard of aromatherapy, but you know little to nothing about what it is or the benefits it can provide. Aromatherapy uses plant aromatics, often in the form of essential oils, for the holistic healing of mind, body, and spirit. Whether you're a busy homemaker or the head of a corporation, aromatherapy is something that you can learn about and integrate into your daily activities.

Essential Oils: What Are They?

Essential oils are concentrated aromatic plant extracts, usually collected through a process of steam or oil distillation. Essential oils can be used in everything from shampoos to candles to baby lotion. In addition, common uses of essential oils include inhalation, vaporization, massage, bathing, and compresses. We provide information on many commonly used essential oils. Keep in mind that except in rare exceptions, essential oils should never be directly applied to the skin in an undiluted form.

Aromatherapy Candles

What makes aromatherapy candles different from other scented candles? The fragrance in aromatherapy candles comes from natural products such as essential oils. They should never use synthetic scents, many of which can actually harm you as the candle burns. Almost all aromatherapy candles are designed to be environmentally friendly, and many are smokeless and pollution free. The very best aromatherapy candles are made from vegetable waxes and oils and use natural colors and scents. Imagine filling your home with light and fragrance while rejuvenating your mind and body!

Aromatherapy For Wellbeing

Many people use aromatherapy to relax, improve their mood, stimulate their immune system, reduce stress, lower blood pressure, combat insomnia and depression, and restore physical and emotional wellbeing. It affects the body's major organ systems and tissues, and it all starts with a whiff of your nose! Whether you choose to light an aromatherapy candle as you read a favorite book or apply a dab of your own homemade perfume before an important meeting, you are increasing the vitality of your mind and body in a very simple yet effective way.

Make tasks such as washing dishes, bathing, treating the occasional scrape or burn, and baking more enjoyable by adding a bit of fragrance to your sugars, soaps, and salves. It's a quick and inexpensive way to enhance your quality of life, and you may find that when you nurture your nose, your overall health benefits as well!

Aroma

Enliven your home, office, or car with aromatherapy air fresheners. You can make an easy air freshener by dropping 60 drops of essential oil to 2 oz. of distilled water in a misting bottle; shake well before spraying. For fresh-smelling bed linens, sheets, clothes, and towels, place a few drops of your favorite essential oil (if you don't have a favorite yet, try lavender!) onto a washcloth and toss it into the dryer with your other items. Aroma diffusers and candles can provide hours of fragrance. If you have an unscented candle that you want to "spice up," simply place a couple of drops of oil into the melting wax of the candle.

Cleaning

Why use synthetic chemicals to mask the odors of antibacterial detergents and carpet deodorizers? Adding essential oils such as lemon, orange, or grapefruit to unscented dish soap, mopping detergents, and dusting products can help your house smell naturally clean, and these oils are also great grease cutters. Or, if you want a germicidal solution to wipe down your counters, combine a few drops of citrus and tea tree oils with warm water. Make your own carpet deodorizer by adding 10-15 drops of essential oil to a box of baking soda, shake it well, and allow deodorizer to set for a couple of days. Sprinkle your homemade deodorizer onto your carpet, let it set for 1-2 hours and vacuum thoroughly. Your carpet will smell fantastic, and you won't have to worry about the chemical effects of commercial carpet deodorizers.

Health

When added to compresses, vaporizers, baths, or applied to the skin in a diluted form, essential oils can be used to treat everything from a fever to muscle cramps. Aromatherapy with geranium, lavender and bergamot can prove especially helpful in alleviating emotional distress such as anxiety and depression; add these oils to a diffuser, bath or candle and let them work their magic!

Skin Care

Aromatherapy is particularly effective in baths since the fragrant oils surround the body and fill the air we breathe. For an easy moisturizing and aromatic bath, add 5 to 10 drops of your favorite essential oil, a small cup of milk, and 1 tsp. of honey to running bath water. Add 2 to 4 drops of lavender or chamomile oil to dampened clay, egg white, or mashed avocado for a facial that will sooth your skin and rejuvenate your spirit.

There are so many essential oils on the market today that even experienced users can be overwhelmed by the selection. Fortunately, most aromatherapy products such as candles, hair and body products, and vaporizers all utilize a few basic essential oils. For the most part, these oils can be found in almost any health food store. And because candle making has become a popular pastime, you may even find many of these oils in candle shops. Whether you choose to incorporate essential oils into skin and hair products, cooking, or candle making, familiarity with the most commonly used oils will allow you to make informed, safe decisions when selecting your essential oils.

Try adding a tiny drop of cinnamon or vanilla essential oil to a favorite dessert or hot drink and taste the difference! Keep in mind that consumable essential oils must always be diluted. Consumption of undiluted oils can cause severe reactions.

Calming/Refreshing Oils

The fragrance of these oils is soothing and revitalizing. Mix and match the following essential oils in your candle recipes and enjoy the results as you meditate in calming candlelight.

Sandalwood, geranium, orange, tangerine, lemongrass, lemon, fir needles, bergamot, clary sage, frankincense, myrrh, (consumable), and lavender (consumable).

Romantic

Arouse your senses with a candle scented with one or more of the essential oils listed below. You may find that some are aphrodisiacs!

Ylang ylang, grapefruit, jasmine, rose, sandalwood, cedarwood, patchouli, sweet lavender, and vanilla (consumable).

Warming/Cheering

What could be more enjoyable than cozying down with a hot cup of tea, a good book, and a cinnamon candle? Try adding a drop of the oil to an unscented candle to give your house a warm lift.

Sandlewood, ylang ylang, orange, bergamot, sweet lavender, sage (consumable), and cinnamon (consumable).

Clarifying/Energizing

For a real pick-me-up, try combining a few of the oils below in a candle or oil ring. The fragrance will clear your senses and give you that extra boost at the end of a busy day.

Grapefruit, eucalyptus, spruce, tea tree, thyme, citronella, hyssop, frankincense, rosemary (consumable), nutmeg (consumable), basil (consumable), allspice berry (consumable), lemon (consumable), lime (consumable), peppermint (consumable), and clove (consumable).

Relaxing/Stress Relief

Loosen your tired muscles and let go of everyday hassles by adding two drops of lavender oil to warm bath water. After a long soak, you'll feel relaxed and ready to go!

Geranium, lemon, bergamot, cedarwood, ylang ylang, clary sage, chamomile, patchouli, angelica, birch, cypress, eucalyptus, juniperberry, marjoram, sage (consumable), ginger (consumable), cinnamon (consumable), lavender (consumable), and nutmeg (consumable).