subject: Aromatherapy and Homemade Candle Making [print this page] Aromatherapy and Homemade Candle Making Aromatherapy and Homemade Candle Making
What is aromatherapy? In the United States, alternative forms of medicine are becoming more popular. While aromatherapy may not be considered "medicine", there are scientifically proven facts that scents alter not only our moods, but may help in fighting certain medical conditions. I had been interested in aroma therapy for years, and would often burn incense. While I did notice a change, in my mood...I was not happy with the fact that in burning incense, there is a lot of smoke. I went to burning candles instead. Burning candles creates not only the wonderful aroma, but candles do so with noticeably less smoke and much more of a glowing ambiance. The trouble was, that I am picky. I could find candles in the stores that "did the job", but I was not always happy with the actual scents they produced.
I had lunch with a friend who had just been to India, and she spoke of the scents and the aromas of spice that waft through the streets of small town of Goa. After our conversation, I thought to myself...why can't I do that?...why can't I fill my house with the scents of India?...why can't I get into homemade candle making? I mean, after all, it would be a great way to get the exact candle and scent that I wanted.
I set out to create my perfect aromatherapy candle. I like the smells of nature...of spice and wood and earthy tones, of subtle flowers and herbs. What I was not aware of at the time, was that many other people do too. They much prefer those smells, to the often times overwhelming scents of retail candles. Those candles are often used to cover up odors, but I wanted my candles to do what aromatherapy does...to promote mental, spiritual and physical health. Scents of the world, activate a part of the brain known as the limbic system. This is where human emotions and memories are "stored". I wanted my candles to calm, to invigorate.
Fragrance is of course, the key when making aromatherapy candles. It is for this reason the only the highest quality of fragrance be used. There are many kinds of fragrance available on the market for home candle making, but with aromatherapy you want to be certain that you are using essential oils. These are pure and natural oils made from the extracts of plants, flowers, and herbs.
When choosing a wax to use, many people go with soy wax. It is easier to work with than paraffin, and is less expensive than beeswax. So that is what I decided to go with. Soy wax has a low melting temperature, and disperses the scents well, evenly and consistently.
Before I started, I tried to have a specific goal in mind. If aromatherapy is meant to enhance or to calm a mood, I knew I needed to be just that...specific. I had worked with essential oils before, and knew that they can be quite powerful. Adding just a few drops at a time is key, as you can always add more, but once the scent is in the candle...there's just no way of taking it out.
I must say, that I did a few experiments along the way. Some worked out great, while others?...not so much. But I started a "candle making record", a diary of sorts. Over time I was able to look back at the results, and decide where to go next...when to experiment and when to go with experience. I now have a small business as a result. I find great satisfaction in the idea that not only will my candles bring people beauty and a glowing atmosphere in their home...but that perhaps, piece of mind as well.
