Aromatherapy Candles
by: M J Plaster
Nothing turns a commonplace, ho-hum room into
a radiant, inviting setting faster than the flicker of a few ordinary
candles scattered strategically throughout the room. Add scented
candles and you can quickly evoke childhood memories, transport
your imagination to a tropical island, or infuse the room with the
crisp scent of a pine forest. Aromatherapy candles add yet 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 the essential oils enter your body as you
breathe, and travel throughout the body, including the brain, through
the bloodstream. You receive subtle benefits as the chemicals interact
with your body. Don't expect to receive full healing benefits by
lighting a candle, but aromatherapy candles provide the same dual
benefits inherent in conventional aromatherapy in less concentrated
doses: smell therapy and chemical reactions to the essential oils.
Burn aromatherapy candles to alter, enhance,
and improve your state of mind while adding a touch of nature's
pure perfume to your surroundings. What a pleasant, powerful quick
fix to an otherwise rotten day, not to mention a less destructive
alternative to downing a pint of ice cream or a pound of chocolate
to chase away the blahs. Let aromatherapy candles help set the right
mood for others with whom you spend time. Your guests will only
know that you have that "special something," that magical
touch when it comes to hospitality.
Tips for Using Aromatherapy Candles:
Make sure that you purchase aromatherapy candles,
not just scented candles. Look for labels that include "pure
essential oils."Select the right
candle 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
labeling that reflects your desired effect.
Invigorate - Perhaps you arrive
home lethargic and drained after a grueling day at work, and like
so many other busy parents, your workday at home is just beginning—with
no time for an intervening catnap. Treat yourself to a short break,
and light an energizing aromatherapy candle. Invigorating candles
typically contain some mixture of oils from the mint and citrus
families. The mint essential oils—peppermint, spearmint, basil,
and eucalyptus—provide quick stimulation, revitalization,
and an extra dose of energy. Other invigorating essential oils include
cedar, rosemary, cinnamon, geranium, cassia, and vanilla.
Relax– Sometimes a sense
of accomplishment or closure leaves you wired. You know that feeli
ng. You've finished a big project, and you're bursting at the seams
with energy when you really want to kick back, relax and enjoy some
quiet time. Light a stress-releasing aromatherapy candle, take a
few deep breaths, and allow your mind to clear. Stress-releasing
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 concentrate and block mental and environmental
distractions. Citrus essential oils help you to concentrate: lemon,
orange, grapefruit, lemongrass, and bergamot.
Add atmosphere – You've
planned a quiet evening at home with that special someone, and you've
made every effort to impress. You've cooked a dinner right out of
a Parisian bistro, fresh flowers grace your home, the table is set
with china and linen napkins, the wine is chilling, 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, clary sage, sandalwood.
When using candles to add atmosphere, grouping
candles together is fine, but less can be more. You're striving
for natural and nonchalant: think elegant understatement, not sacrificial
altar. When you light more than one aromatherapy candle, burn candles
with complementary, not competing essential oils. You don't want
to burn candles with invigorating oils along with candles that contain
a relaxing mixture of oils. Your body will receive mixed signals.
Why reserve your aromatherapy candles for special
occasions or for company? Add an elegant touch and a little mood
to your everyday life. What else can add so much pleasure with so
little effort? Include aromatherapy candles in your repertoire to
turn the mere ordinary into the extraordinary.
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