Nothing turns an ordinary room into a radiant and welcoming environment faster than the flicker of a few ordinary candles strategically scattered throughout the room. Add scented candles and you can quickly conjure up childhood memories, transport your imagination to a tropical island, or infuse your room with the fresh scent of a pine forest. Aromatherapy candles add another dimension to the equation.
Aromatherapy candles release a small but continuous stream of herbal and floral essential oils into the air as they burn. The chemicals in essential oils enter your body as you breathe and travel throughout your body, including your brain, through your bloodstream. You receive subtle benefits as the chemicals interact with your body. Don’t expect to receive all the healing benefits from lighting a candle, but aromatherapy candles provide the same dual benefits inherent to conventional aromatherapy in less concentrated doses: scent therapy and chemical reactions to essential oils.
Light aromatherapy candles to alter, enhance and improve your mood while adding a touch of nature’s pure perfume to your surroundings. What a quick, powerful and pleasant fix to a lousy day, not to mention a less destructive alternative to having a pint of ice cream or a pound of chocolate to chase away the blah.
Let aromatherapy candles help set the right mood for others you spend time with. Your guests will only know that you have that “something special”, that magical touch when it comes to hospitality.
Tips for using aromatherapy candles:
Be sure to buy aromatherapy candles, not just scented candles. Look for labels that include “pure essential oils.”
Select the right sail for the situation. The best way to ensure that you have selected the best candle to achieve your goal is to purchase a candle with a label that reflects your desired effect.
Reinvigorate: Maybe you come home lethargic and exhausted after a grueling day at work and, like so many busy parents, your workday at home is just beginning, with no time for a nap in between. Enjoy a short break and light an energizing aromatherapy candle. Invigorating candles often contain a blend of oils from the mint and citrus families. Peppermint essential oils (peppermint, spearmint, basil, and eucalyptus) provide a quick boost, revitalization, and an extra dose of energy. Other invigorating essential oils include cedarwood, rosemary, cinnamon, geranium, cassia, and vanilla.
Relax: Sometimes a sense of accomplishment or closure leaves you grounded. You know that feeling. You’ve finished a big project and you’re bursting with energy when you really want to kick back, relax, and enjoy some quiet time. Light an aromatherapy candle to release stress, take a deep breath and allow your mind to clear. Stress-relieving essential oils include lavender, chamomile, patchouli, geranium, and rose.
Concentrate – Use aromatherapy candles to improve concentration when you need to tap into your creative powers. Nothing sparks creativity like the ability to focus and block out mental and environmental distractions. Citrus essential oils help you focus: lemon, orange, grapefruit, citronella and bergamot.
Add atmosphere: You’ve planned a quiet evening at home with that special someone, and you’ve done everything you can to impress. You’ve cooked a dinner fresh from a Parisian bistro, fresh flowers grace your home, the table is set with china and linen napkins, the wine is chilled, and you’ve never looked better. Add the final touch with an aromatherapy candle containing some of the sensual essential oils: Ylang ylang, vanilla, neroli, rose, sage, sandalwood.
When using candles for ambience, grouping candles is fine, but less can be more. You’re striving to be natural and carefree: think fancy understatement, not sacrificial altar.
When lighting more than one aromatherapy candle, light candles with complementary, not competing, essential oils. You don’t want to burn candles with invigorating oils along with candles that contain a relaxing blend of oils. Your body will receive mixed signals.
Why reserve your aromatherapy candles for special or business occasions? Add a stylish touch and a bit of humor to your everyday life. What else can add so much pleasure with so little effort? Include aromatherapy candles in your repertoire to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.