Choose Non-Toxic Candles

I love candles, especially in the winter, and often have several lit candles sitting on the table in front of my couch when it’s cold outside. Because I don’t have a fireplace or wood burning stove, I feel the need to burn candles to bring the element of fire into my environment, making me feel warm and nurtured. In Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese art of placement, it’s advised to balance the energy of the rooms in your home with something from all five elements: water, earth, fire, wood, and metal. For example, if you have a lot of wood in a room, it’s important to bring in the fire element by using the color red, having a fireplace, or bringing in candles. In a room with mostly water or metal elements, candles would again bring balance by adding the fire element. Candles are also used in Feng Shui to bring in the healing element of aromatherapy—it’s believed different scents can be used to create healing and positive moods.

Can you imagine festive occasions, such as, holidays, parties, and birthdays without candles? With the holidays approaching and winter coming, most of us buy candles to decorate our homes and help create an inviting and beautiful atmosphere. And, candles make wonderful, reasonably priced holiday or year round gifts. Unfortunately, studies now show commercially produced scented candles are actually a health hazard. Most commercially produced candles contain substances, such as paraffin, that when burned, release toxic chemicals, such as, benzene and acrolyn. Paraffin is an inexpensive sludge waste product of the petroleum industry that has been bleached with acrolyn, a known carcinogenic product. These toxins are inhaled and linger in the environment. Soot from paraffin candles contains many of the same toxins found in diesel fuel.

We all know the dangers of second hand smoke and air pollution, but many of us are completely unaware that our favorite candles can trigger asthma and other medical problems, or that toxic candles can be as harmful to our lungs as second hand smoke. Carcinogenic toxins, such as acetone, soot, and benzene, may be released, and can even cause cancer over time. The US Consumer Public Safety Commission says candles are producing more soot than ever before. Most of us are unaware that lead wicks still remain a problem in imported products. If you have old candles stored away from before the 2003 Consumer Public Safety ban, you should check the wicks for lead by looking for a small thin wire at the center.

Beautiful Non-Toxic Candles are available!

The good news is we can have our candles and clean air too! We can protect ourselves and family by choosing to buy safe candles that are green and environmentally friendly. Personally, I strongly dislike the smell of commercially produced scented candles—the perfume smells are just too strong, and to be honest they give me a headache! Instead of experiencing the benefits of aromatherapy, people are often made sick or are allergic to the artificial scents in toxic candles.

However, natural beeswax or soy candles have fresh, light fragrances, and come in beautiful colors and shapes, and a variety of designs and sizes. They are easy to find online or in stores, are reasonable priced, and do not emit toxins into the environment. Most companies that sell candles and household items carry non-toxic soy or beeswax candles, and customers are becoming more aware of the importance of avoiding the toxic brands.

My personal favorite candles are made of beeswax, and while they are the most expensive candles, they last up to three times longer than paraffin and twice as long as soy. Beeswax candles are a lovely natural golden or amber color and have a sweet honey smell. Some people claim they can actually sooth the symptoms of hay fever, asthma, and allergies.

It’s also possible to find natural candles locally at shops (shopping locally is always a good choice for the community and the environment!), your local farmer’s market, or health food stores. If you’re motivated to make your own candles, there are lots of recipes you can find online. Here are some brands to consider:

• Vermont Soy Candles
• Aveda
• Blue Corn Natural
• Honeyflow Farm

For more information on green products:

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Aubrey Organics - a Company with a Conscience!

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