Guest guest Posted December 14, 2004 Report Share Posted December 14, 2004 From Wong, N.D.,Your Guide to Alternative Medicine.FREE Newsletter. Stay up to date!A couple of weeks ago, I purchased a large firewood-scented candle. I had tons of computer work to do, so what could be more soothing than having the scent of firewood fill the room and watching the gentle flicker of candlelight? A couple of hours after lighting the candle, I developed a headache and felt unwell. I tried it again the next day and the same thing happened. I had heard about healthy vs. unhealthy candles but after experiencing it for myself, I decided to do some investigating. I came up with these 4 guidelines for buying candles. I've also included some links to natural candles. Guideline #1Avoid paraffin wax candles. Paraffin is a petroleum based by-product of refined gasoline. When paraffin is burned, it releases carcinogenic toxins into the air. Some paraffin candles have wicks made with lead, which can cause lead exposure. Manufacturers are not required to disclose lead content.Guideline #2Read the label. Candles may contain chemical additives that can be toxic when inhaled. Be aware that candle manufacturers are not required to list or disclose hazardous, toxic or carcinogenic compounds used as ingredients in their products or even place warning labels on their products regarding lead content and emissions.Guideline #3Look for candles made with vegetable wax. Vegetable wax burns cleaner, longer, and more evenly than paraffin and doesn’t give off the oily soot. Look for beeswax and soy wax:Beeswax candles were the norm before they were replaced by tallow and paraffin. Look for beeswax candles that haven’t been dyed and are their natural honey color. Again, remember to read the label. A product only has to contain 51 percent beeswax to be labeled a beeswax candle, even if the rest is paraffin. Beeswax candles are more expensive but they often burn longer. You can also consider making your own. Craft stores and natural health foods stores often carry sheets of beeswax.Soy candlesMade from soybean oil, a type of vegetable oil. Buyer's Guide:1. PharmacopiaHandcrafted, organic soy candles with custom blends of aromatherapy-grade essential oils. Candles do not contain artificial perfumes and colors. Available in 4 scent blends: Rosemary, Ginger, Citrus and Lavender. 7 oz clear glass container. Go to Pharmacopia candles.2. and HawkenAll natural soy candles with 100% cotton wicks. Unscented. Comes in small and large soy pillars and votives. Go to and Hawken soy candles.http://altmedicine.about.com/od/consumerreviewsalerts/a/candles.htm http://vanokat.wholefoodfarmacy.com/ LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS - NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE.Have nothing to do with the evil deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. Ephesians 5:11 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Eph. 6:12). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 14, 2004 Report Share Posted December 14, 2004 The other thing you can use is olive oil lamps. Very clean and oderless. We have been chatting about them on the organichomesteading list. They are extreamly easy to make, inexspensive, let off a good amount of light, and are less dangerous than candles and other types of oil lamps because of the high flash point of olive oil. Kim God's Blessings Farm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 Hi , If they are scented candles, the scents are usually derived from chemicals that will be released into the air. You may be able to get ones that use pure essential oils, but I'm not sure where to buy them - a health food store, maybe? I would think it would be better to use unscented candles, then once there is a little pool of wax, blow out the candle and add a drop or two of your own essential oil, then relight the candle. Essential oils will be better for you than chemicals, but sometimes they can be overpowering as well, so be aware of that. All the best, > > Hi Bee and everyone, > I usually light a few candles for a few hours at night because it makes my house smell good and is relaxing. I guess I'm wondering if this is bad though? Do candles release chemicals? I don't feel like I get a reaction when they're lit but not sure if I should be using them. > Thanks! > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 > > Hi Bee and everyone, > I usually light a few candles for a few hours at night because it makes my house smell good and is relaxing. I guess I'm wondering if this is bad though? Do candles release chemicals? I don't feel like I get a reaction when they're lit but not sure if I should be using them. +++Hi . Yes candles do release chemicals which are very toxic. The worst candles are Made in China. For that reason I only use Bees Wax candles. Bee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 > I usually light a few candles for a few hours at night because it makes my house smell good and is relaxing. I guess I'm wondering if this is bad though? Do candles release chemicals? I don't feel like I get a reaction when they're lit but not sure if I should be using them. _________ Hi , My hubby and I like to burn candles on weekend evenings. Terry's got severe allergies/asthma and so I checked in to whether or not this would be a good idea for him. Even unscented candles can be a problem because of the smoke they produce. But we open our glass sliding doors and have never had an issue with burning them for several hours of a weekend evening. 's Crafts carries unscented pillars and votives. Bed, Bath and Beyond usually has some unscented pillars and they also have these neat round votives. And our grocery store carries the unscented long tapers. We don't get much " weather " here in south Florida and Terry grew up near Buffalo with a fireplace. So a tray on our coffee table filled with lit candles is our version of a tropical fireplace I guess. W Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 > > Hi , > > My hubby and I like to burn candles on weekend evenings. Terry's got severe allergies/asthma and so I checked in to whether or not this would be a good idea for him. Even unscented candles can be a problem because of the smoke they produce. But we open our glass sliding doors and have never had an issue with burning them for several hours of a weekend evening. > > 's Crafts carries unscented pillars and votives. Bed, Bath and Beyond usually has some unscented pillars and they also have these neat round votives. And our grocery store carries the unscented long tapers. +++Hi W. Even if the candles are unscented they are still toxic. Bee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 Thanks Bee. I did some research and found Bees Wax candles that are scented. Are these okay candles to use? http://www.johnstonhoney.com/giftshop/candles.asp +++Hi . Yes candles do release chemicals which are very toxic. The worst candles are Made in China. For that reason I only use Bees Wax candles. Bee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 Hey Bee, FYI, any candle you buy or get as a gift will be " Bee's Wax Candle " by vitur that anything you own is Bee's LOL. Any way, I can not tell you how depressing this is to read after my trip last night to the 99 cent store to buy $25 worth of candles, some at 6 for a dollar. Last week I had just bought a bunch of butter nut and other squash only to learn the next day for the first time ever, that it too was not on the program. All good to know, but have to say, it gets depressing after a while and part of it all makes me want to just go get a big bunch of chocklete and eat it by candle light! +++Hi . Yes candles do release chemicals which are very toxic. The worst candles are Made in China. For that reason I only use Bees Wax candles. Bee __. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 > > Thanks Bee. I did some research and found Bees Wax candles that are scented. Are these okay candles to use? > > http://www.johnstonhoney.com/giftshop/candles.asp +++Hi . I can't see how they get some of the scents without using artificial ingredients, i.e. Apple Cinnamon or Cafe Cappuccino. And I wonder what is put into the air ny burnt honey or vanilla since I don't think they are meant to be burned. I only use 100% percent pure yellow beeswax candles, without scents, which are known to clean the air. I don't know if scented candles do the same thing. Evidently burning essential oils is hazardous to pet birds, so I don't think it is safe for humans either. One reference states that essential oils should never be burned on their own, and should only be put in water and simmered, or added to a vaporizer, humidifier, etc. to get aroma into the air. You could put any nice smelling herbs, spices or even apples in water and simmer them. Bee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 > > Hey Bee, FYI, any candle you buy or get as a gift will be " Bee's Wax Candle " by vitur that anything you own is Bee's LOL. Any way, I can not tell you how depressing this is to read after my trip last night to the 99 cent store to buy $25 worth of candles, some at 6 for a dollar. Last week I had just bought a bunch of butter nut and other squash only to learn the next day for the first time ever, that it too was not on the program. All good to know, but have to say, it gets depressing after a while and part of it all makes me want to just go get a big bunch of chocklete and eat it by candle light! +++LOL! I understand how you feel Mike. There is a link to the Food List in my main candida article: http://www.healingnaturallybybee.com/articles/foodslist.php When I re-write my candida program I will ensure those lists are more noticeable. Here's a good list of toxic sources: http://www.healingnaturallybybee.com/articles/toxin6.php All the best, Bee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 > Evidently burning essential oils is hazardous to pet birds, so I don't think it is safe for humans either. One reference states that essential oils should never be burned on their own, and should only be put in water and simmered, or added to a vaporizer, humidifier, etc. to get aroma into the air. You could put any nice smelling herbs, spices or even apples in water and simmer them. > > Bee > Hi Bee, I put essential oils on a ceramic ring and keep it on the stove top where it is warm. Is this ok? Would putting it around a light bulb be hazardous? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 > > > > > Evidently burning essential oils is hazardous to pet birds, so I don't think it is safe for humans either. One reference states that essential oils should never be burned on their own, and should only be put in water and simmered, or added to a vaporizer, humidifier, etc. to get aroma into the air. You could put any nice smelling herbs, spices or even apples in water and simmer them. > > > > Bee > > > Hi Bee, I put essential oils on a ceramic ring and keep it on the stove top where it is warm. Is this ok? Would putting it around a light bulb be hazardous? +++, please read the above, where it says " essential oils should never be burned on their own, and should only be put in water and simmered, or added to a vaporizer, humidifier, etc. to get aroma into the air. " Bee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 Hi Bee, Thanks for all the info on burning scents. Would it be alright to put cinnamon sticks in water on my stove on low in my teflon pot being I don't use it for cooking anymore? Or does this release toxins in the air? Thanks, +++, please read the above, where it says " essential oils should never be burned on their own, and should only be put in water and simmered, or added to a vaporizer, humidifier, etc. to get aroma into the air. " Bee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2009 Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 > > Hi Bee, > Thanks for all the info on burning scents. Would it be alright to put cinnamon sticks in water on my stove on low in my teflon pot being I don't use it for cooking anymore? Or does this release toxins in the air? +++Hi . I don't believe Teflon would release into the air; it would be released into the water. Bee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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