Aromatherapy candles can be relaxing for people because they emit a pleasant scent and provide soft lighting. Aromatherapy candles are often associated with self-care and may help people’s overall health by easing stress.
Research suggests essential oils may offer some health benefits. However, the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate or monitor their quality. Before using essential oils, it is a good idea to consult a doctor. Also, they should research the quality of any brand’s products. Before using any essential oil, it is important to do a patch test.
What is an aromatherapy candle?
An aromatherapy candle can be described as a candle that contains a large number of essential oils. They are concentrated substances made from plants and resins.
Products can differ in quality and efficiency because there is no strict definition of aromatherapy candles. Some candles contain only essential oils, while others combine essential oils with artificial fragrances.
The potential benefits of aromatherapy candles
The potential health benefits of essential oil candles have yet to be fully explored by researchers. Some essential oils might help alleviate stress. A recent study also found that lavender essential oil which you can find in lavender gift basket by BodyAndEarth, can help reduce anxiety.
Early evidence suggests that essential oils such as lavender and rosemary may help ease stress.
- Clary Sage: A study on Menopause showed that Clary Sage reduced cortisol levels. Cortisol is one of the hormones that regulate the body’s stress response.
- Bergamot Another small study on females revealed that bergamot decreased negative emotions, as well as fatigue.
- Ylang–ylang: A pilot study found that people who inhaled for 30 to 60 days had higher self-esteem than those who took a placebo.
These studies did not include aromatherapy candles and had a small number of participants. It is therefore unclear whether these benefits could also be applied to these types of products. It is possible that candles have calming properties due to their association with relaxation.
Aromatherapy candles have another advantage: unlike other scented candles, they do not contain artificial fragrances. A study showed that 34.7% of the people suffered adverse health effects from exposure to artificial perfumes.
- migraine
- headaches
- asthma attacks
- breathing difficulties
- contact dermatitis
In the USA, it is not required for companies to disclose the ingredients in their scented products. It can be hard to distinguish between candles that contain artificial fragrances and those that only contain essential oils.
3 Suitable Types of Aromatherapy Candles for Stress Relief
Jasmine Oil Candle
The candle is scented with natural jasmine, tangerine, and floral notes. Aromatherapists associate jasmine and sleep.
They don’t use any synthetic fragrances, fillers, or toxic chemicals. Every batch of candles has to be gas chromatography/mass spectrometry tested. This means that essential oils are of high quality and verified pure.
The products even can be with vegan-friendly ingredients.
Lavender based candles
Such types of candles may contain, for example containing, lavender and ylang-ylang, etc.
For all types of aromatherapy candles is a must to use only use plant-derived substances that are not harmful to the environment.
The candles contain a mixture of vegetable and soy waxes, as well as lead-free wicks.
Citrus Aroma Based Candles
Usually, these candles are made with lime, basil, mandarin, and other natural ingredients. It has a light, refreshing scent that will make anyone feel better. The scent isn’t too strong, which may help reduce headaches.
Their candles are made (as usual) from 100% soy wax without paraffin. The candles have a burning capacity of up to 80 hours and have three wicks.
Safety and Risks
In the United States, candles cause approximately 8200 home fires every year. Here are some recommendations when using candles:
- Never leave a candle burning unattended.
- Avoid putting a candle in close proximity to curtains or other items that could easily catch fire
- A burning candle must never be left without surveillance with pets or children.
- Keep the candle out of direct sunlight
- While the candle is still lit, do not touch it or move it.
- Place several burning candles at least three inches apart from one another.
There are also adverse side effects to essential oils. Essential oils are safe to use at home in safe concentrations. However, some might experience skin irritation or allergic reactions from inhaling them.
It is important to note that not all manufacturers disclose the ingredients of their scented products. These reactions may be due to perfumes or other hidden ingredients.
Essential oils can be toxic to pets and dangerous to pregnant women and children. Before using essential oil candles, it is important to take into account what is around you.
A person should not use candles if they have any side effects. One person might find that they can tolerate fragrance-free candles, for example.
Summary
Some essential oils in aromatherapy candles may reduce stress and anxiety. It is not entirely clear if the essential oils have therapeutic effects or they have psychological effects. A person might want to look at the ingredients and see if the candle has artificial fragrances. Also, consider whether the manufacturer is sustainable.
Certain essential oils and other candle ingredients may not be suitable for some people. A person should immediately stop using a scented candle if they notice any side effects.