Botanical Soy Candles
From LoveToKnow Candles
For fantastic floral and natural scents, try botanical soy candles.
The History of Soy Candles
Although candles have been around for centuries, candles made of soy oil are new. In 1991, Michael Richards was looking for a cheaper way to make natural candles. Beeswax was popular and yet cost about ten times more than paraffin. Michael tested some natural plant waxes and came up with a vegetable wax made with partially hydrogenated soy oil, palm oil, and coconut oil. By blending beeswax with soy, he created a natural wax candle that was cost-friendly.
In 1995, the Body Shop was the first to offer soy candles to the general public. This chain of stores that places a large focus on natural scents, lotions, and cosmetics, offered candles made of beeswax with the scent of almond oil.
Candleworks, a soy wax producer, negotiated a research project with the University of Iowa in 1997. Through this project, a study grew which focused on the increase of soybeans in the manufacturing of candles.
The Environment and Soy Candles
Many like botanical soy candles for the following reasons:
- They cost less than paraffin candles.
- They burn longer.
- They are all natural.
- Burning soy candles does not increase the CO2 level in the atmosphere.
- When wax accidentally gets on something, it is easy to clean.
- They produce 90 percent less soot than paraffin candles.
- Since soybean oil lowers the melting point of the candle, the candle burns cooler and has a faster scent dispersion.
A Web site for those interested in learning more about keeping candles Earth-friendly is Sustain Lane.
Botanical Scents
How are botanical soy candles scented? Essential oils extracted from certain plants are used to add aroma to the candles. There are scents that actually are known for their medicinal qualities. Aromatherapy is popular today and these fragrant natural oils are used in many spas to calm and soothe.
If you can't get to a spa, create your own in your bathroom. Fill up the tub with warm water and light a scented candle. Breathe in the aroma. Some of the qualities these fragrant candles hold include:
- Jasmine is perhaps the most calming of all essential oils. Used as an anti-depressant scent, it is beneficial for calming tension.
- Basil will promote alertness and concentration. This scent helps with the relief of migraines and aids in digestion.
- Eucalyptus has many qualities including the ability to relieve asthma, coughs, sinusitis, pneumonia and bronchitis.
- Lavender aids in the relief of headaches and helps cure insomnia. It is also helpful in calming anxiety.
- Lemon is a stimulating aroma. Lemon also helps to repel insects.
- Orange blossom will help against insomnia, anxiety and depression.
- Rosemary is effective in arthritis, bronchitis and colds.
- Vanilla is a scent enjoyed by many because it provides a nice, mellow atmosphere. Its natural odor is calming an inviting.
Purchase Botanical Soy Candles
Now that you know about the benefits found in the wonderful aromas of botanical soy candles, why not buy some to light in your home? There are inexpensive soy candles in both tea lights and votive size that you can find as you search for bargains.
Give a Candle
While soy candles are relatively inexpensive, there are designer soy candles sold at various stores. Givenchy has a large selection of botanical soy candles. Choose from orange and mulberry fragrances. The candles are sold in decorative tins or ten or eighteen-ounce clear glass jars. They make great gifts and the high quality oils used in them provide for hours of relaxation from the stresses of life.
Learn More
This page has been accessed 628 times. This page was last modified 01:58, 30 May 2008.
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