Eco Homewares : How to Make Aromatherapy Candles

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Candles are some of the most mood-enhancing home & giftware available. Combine them with aromatherapy and you have eco homewares that inspire tranquility and relaxation. Aromatherapy and candle making can be quite easy with a little guidance. Find out how to make organic candles that smell amazing and light your world.

 

Aromatherapy 101: Scents and Candlelight

 

Aromatherapy uses the scents from essential oils of plants and herbs to inspire healing and mood enhancement. Scent is a powerful sense that can evoke memory, inspire peace or cause revulsion. Candles can be used to create romantic moods or meditative spaces. Scent and candles complement each other quite well creating a bursting market of scented candles in any flavor you can imagine. You can burn a candle scented with cinnamon oil on your desk for concentration or a lavender candle during a bath for relaxation. The only limit with aromatherapy is your imagination!

 

Natural Candle Ingredients: Eco-Friendly Alternatives

 

While all those sweet-smelling candles that line store shelves seem like a good idea they are made with anything but wholesome ingredients. Most candles are made with paraffin, a petroleum product that releases some toxic chemicals into the air when burned. Some candles contain lead that is used to strengthen the wick but have the same nasty side effect. Fortunately there are several natural alternatives available for making healthy aromatherapy candles. Knowing what you’re breathing helps you relax better.

 

Benefits of Using Aromatherapy Candles

 

Aromatherapy uses several methods to create scent such as essential oil blends, oil diffusers, aromatherapy jewelry and candles. There are several advantages to using aromatherapy candles, such as:

  • Healthy, Natural Ingredients-Aromatherapy candles use wholesome, earth and people friendly ingredients that won’t fill the air with toxins.
  • Change Your Mood-Lighting a candle with a calming scent lets you focus and relax.
  • Personalized Gifts-DIY candles are always unique gifts to give.
  • Inspire Healing-Just as scent can change mood certain scents help inspire healing, such as burning a peppermint candle to stave off a headache.

 

How to Make Aromatherapy Candles

 

On the surface candle making seems like a daunting task. You can find supplies for your eco-friendly home decor online or at your local arts and craft store. Before shopping for natural candle supplies and oils it is a good idea to decide what kind of wax you will use as well as what you want your candle to do.

 

Choosing Natural Candle Waxes for Homewares

 

The wax you work with makes up the bulk of your candle. There are several options available for making safe, eco-friendly candles, each with their own special considerations to keep in mind.

  • Soy Wax-Soy wax is a vegetable-based wax cultivated from the soy plant. It is a great environmentally safe alternative to paraffin. Natural soy candles are clean burning, long lasting and renewable.
  • Beeswax-Beeswax is what most people think of when they think of all-natural candle materials. This wax is created by bees after they consume honey and is used to construct their hives. It also has the added bonus of purifying the air as it is burned by releasing negative ions.
  • Coconut Oil-Coconut oil is enjoying its time in the eco-friendly spotlight. It seems there is just about nothing this versatile oil can’t do! Using coconut oil in combination with beeswax makes a great candle that will burn longer than paraffin. With its availability it can be quite easy to find on your next grocery shopping trip.

 

Find Your Scents: Choosing Oils for Aromatherapy Candles

 

The scent your candle gives off is what you want to leave an impression. If you’re already familiar with aromatherapy and using essential oils you might already have some ideas and blends that you’d like to try out in candle form. If not here are some suggestions for oils you can use.

  • Relaxing Scents-Lavender, chamomile, eucalyptus
  • Energizing Scents-Cinnamon, clary sage, jasmine
  • Relieve Anxiety-Bergamot, rose, cedarwood
  • Stop a Headache-Peppermint, lavender, rosemary
  • Meditation Time-Frankincense, sandalwood, myrrh

 

Other Candle Making Supplies

You’ll also need the following items on hand to make your candles:

  • Double-boiler
  • Candle containers (old candle holders or Mason jars)
  • Disposable aluminum tins for melting wax in
  • Wicks (stick with cotton-braided and all natural)
  • Pencils or wood skewers to hold wicks up while the candle sets
  • Scissors

Make Your Candles

  1. Set up your candle holders or jars by cutting wicks to fit. Keep them upright by twisting around a pencil or skewer and setting it on top of the jar.
  2. Melt your chosen wax base in the double-boiler by using the aluminum tins.
  3. Remove the melted wax from the boiler and stir in your chosen oil or oil blends. Add the oil until you can smell it and then add a few more drops for good measure.
  4. Pour the mixture into the waiting jars and allow to cool.
  5. Once the candles are set, cut the wicks and enjoy!

 

References;

 

How to make a double boiler. 2016. [ONLINE] Available at: http://bakingbites.com/2009/09/how-to-make-a-double-boiler/. [Accessed 21 March 2016].

 

Natural Candles Made From Soy Wax | Homewares Online. 2016. Woodwick | Homewares Online. [ONLINE] Available at:https://splosh.com.au/content/woodwick. [Accessed 21 March 2016].

 

Maintaining Your Eco Home. 2016. Maintaining Your Eco Home. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.naturalnewsblogs.com/maintaining-eco-home/. [Accessed 21 March 2016].

 

Archie