subject: Fragrance Lamps [print this page] The concept of freshening the indoor atmosphere of a home has been one of constant experiment and innovation. The practice dates back literally to the beginnings of human history, as people began to use botanical and animal elements for both lighting and scenting purposes. Candles, incense, and oils infused with the essence of plants, herbs, and animal fat became a part of the cultural landscape as people incorporated the use of fragrances into domestic habitats and religious rituals.
Today, the use of scents is applied to an even wider spectrum of modern living. The importance of olfactory stimulation is understood better now, and is being applied to aroma therapy as much as it is to the interior atmosphere of the home environment. One of the most popular methods of introducing scents into the interior of the home is through the use of fragrance lamps.
Fragrance lamps can serve many purposes. The most basic of these is the refreshing of the air inside the home. This is an ongoing challenge, considering the various factors that can denigrate the interior atmosphere of a closed-in area. Candles and incense have been the standard for these applications for many years, and they serve a very useful purpose. Yet the smoke that these implements create is sometimes problematic, either due to the carbon residue that is left behind or the effect that smoke can have on the respiratory system.
Fragrance lamps are a practical response to these issues. They can create a pleasing aroma on a continual basis without the presence of smoke. This is possible because of the method used to heat the scented oil that is the fuel for fragrance lamps. A catalytic stone burner heats the oil without the need for an open flame, removing the smoke factor. All that is created is a fragrance that can be continuously introduced into the environment by replenishing the oil.
Another positive attribute of fragrance lamps is the potential for an artistic touch in the design of the lamp itself. The vessel that holds the scented oil is most often made of glass, which opens up the possibilities for creative color schemes and visual designs. The beauty of fragrance lamps is limited only by the skill and imagination of the lamp maker, and this art form has expanded greatly in the past few years.
Fragrance lamps also introduce an aspect of practicality that both candles and incense have a hard time matching. These devices can fill a room with a very pleasant aroma in less than one hour, making them ten times more effective than candles. The essence of the heated oil that permeates the interior atmosphere serves another important purpose as well. Fragrance lamps can actually purify the air by killing airborne bacteria that carries the potential for infection and illness.
The increased use of fragrance lamps brings another positive aspect to the home environment. The artistry with which many of the quality fragrance lamps are made provides an opportunity for gift-giving that will be appreciated by anyone who enjoys both a fresh and fragrant home atmosphere and a touch of beauty in the same gift package.
