With aromatherapy being such a popular practice there are so called ‘aromatherapy’ candles in stores everywhere. Many of these candles are not true aromatherapy candles. In order to get the vast array of benefits associated with aromatherapy (relaxation, relief from insomnia, relief from depression, heightened libido, relief from congestion, relief from nausea, etc) you need to be using pure essential oils.
Many of the candles that people are burning, thinking that they contain essential oils, merely contain a pleasant smell. The person may enjoy the glow and scent of the candle but they’re not really getting the benefits that they’re expecting. So, if you are in the market for a good aromatherapy candle, make sure that you know exactly what is in that candle before you buy it.
Some of these same candles may contain some essential oils but you may not be able to find out how much, what quality, or what type of essential oil is actually in the candle. Another thing about a lot of the scented candles is the issue of safety. There have been many reports about scented candles containing carcinogens, neurotoxins and reproductive toxins. Among these are acetone, benzene, xylene, and phenol.
Exposure to acetone happens through breathing it into your lungs as well as skin exposure. Acetone is irritating to your eyes, nose and throat. And people that have been exposed to it can experience dizziness or fainting.
Benzene is another toxic liquid that is in many scented candles. Exposure to this can cause drowsiness and unconsciousness. Long-term effects of benzene can harm the bone marrow and cause leukemia or anemia.
Xylene is also a cause of concern when burning these scented candles. People that were exposed to for both short and long periods of time reported suffering from these symptoms: headaches, dizziness, confusion, stomach discomfort, respiratory problems, and lack of muscle coordination.
With skin exposure to phenol people have experienced liver damage, anemia and diarrhea. It’s unclear what effects are experienced when phenol is inhaled.
With all of these concerns it just seems too dangerous to take any chances with burning scented candles. If you’re going to use a candle in aromatherapy it’s safer to use a natural beeswax candle that doesn’t contain any scents, additives or colors. Although these candles may not be as attractive looking as the others on the market they will not burn toxins into the air you’re breathing.
When you find some of these beeswax candles you can add your own favorite essential oils to use. A trick that many people like is to just drop some of the essential oil into that little circle of wax that forms around the wick. While the candle is burning, the oil can heat up and give off the therapeutic vapors.
If you’re still a little shaky about using candles for aromatherapy, that’s okay. There are still safer ways to practice aromatherapy without burning candles. There are other ways to experience the joys of aromatherapy.
You can buy an essential oil diffuser from many stores or even online. They’re really easy to find. Or you can get the benefits of aromatherapy by massaging the oils along with a carrier oil onto your skin (or have someone else do it for you). Another creative way to use aromatherapy is to mix it with water in a spray bottle and just use little squirts here or there.
Find what you’re comfortable with and then do it. Just remember, when using candles for aromatherapy, you get what you pay for. Make sure the candle contains real essential oils. If you decide to add the oil to the melted wax, just make sure it is done safely. Oil is flammable.
Posted in Aromatherapy