Aromatherapy candles are a relatively traditional method of adding fragrance to living spaces, and in recent years, their use has become quite common. They have also become a way to enhance the quality of life. Today, let’s discuss the principles behind aromatherapy candles.
Aromatherapy candles are one of the methods of aromatherapy using essential oils. They are simple and practical, suitable for both home and office environments.
After using aromatherapy candles, here are the ways in which the aroma and essential oils reach the human body:
Respiratory Pathway: Through the sense of smell, essential oils are absorbed into various parts of the body via the bloodstream. The nasal mucosa of the human body is acidic and rich in capillaries, allowing effective absorption of essential oil molecules during breathing. Additionally, essential oil molecules can enter the central nervous system through olfactory receptors, stimulating the secretion of brain hormones. Different scents can lead to the secretion of different hormones. Once these hormones reach various cells in the body, they can indirectly have therapeutic effects.
Lung Exchange: Essential oil molecules, after entering the lungs through the respiratory tract, are transported throughout the body via oxygen carried by lung alveoli.
Therefore, when selecting aromatherapy candles, it’s essential to choose high-quality ones because candles made from high-quality materials are beneficial to the body, while poor-quality materials can have adverse effects.
The main components of aromatherapy candles are wax and essential oils.
Wax can be divided into synthetic wax and natural wax. Natural waxes are derived from plants and include soy wax, coconut wax, and beeswax, among others. When these natural waxes burn, they do not produce harmful substances, and the particle matter emitted is relatively fine, causing no adverse respiratory effects.
Paraffin wax, on the other hand, is a byproduct of petroleum extraction. It has a high melting point and may release potentially harmful chemical compounds when ignited. Generally, high-quality aromatherapy products do not use paraffin wax, while it may be found in cheaper aromatherapy products.
Essential oils are available in both plant-derived and synthetic forms. Plant-derived essential oils are extracted from various parts of botanical plants, such as flowers, roots, leaves, bark, fruits, and resins, using methods like distillation and pressing. These oils have been shown to have effects like air purification, metabolism enhancement, blood circulation improvement, and relief of nervous tension.
Synthetic fragrance oils are artificially synthesized industrial fragrances, and they often contain a high percentage of limonene. When limonene reacts with ozone in the air, it can turn into formaldehyde, which is released in significant quantities. Other volatile compounds are also released, potentially increasing the risk of carcinogenesis.
