A small gadget that can relieve stress at a low cost. I really recommend you to try it!

Aromatherapy candles, a craft that combines lighting and aromatherapy functions, have gradually become an important element in modern life. They not only bring warm light to the living space, but also create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere through the released aroma, so they are deeply loved by young people.

Nowadays, people are no longer satisfied with just buying scented candles on the market. Many people also share the process of making handmade scented candles on social media. It looks simple and healing, and when watching the video, you can't help but want to try DIY.

Image source: A social platform

So what is the charm of scented candles? Why are they loved by so many people? Are there any risks in making your own scented candles? Let's find out today!

Helps relieve mood and prevent Alzheimer's disease

I really recommend you to try it!

In fact, young people’s love for scented candles is not just for the atmosphere, but the deeper reason is that it can help them find inner peace and comfort in their fast-paced lives.

Aromatherapy research shows that certain scents are closely associated with specific autonomic nervous system responses and can effectively reduce anxiety, relieve stress, and improve mood. For example, scents such as lavender and sandalwood have been shown to have a calming effect, helping people relax their bodies, reduce negative emotions, and even improve sleep quality.

Research led by Michael Leon, a professor of neurobiology and behavior at UC Irvine, shows that aromatherapy can significantly improve cognitive abilities.

In the experiment, the research team diffused aroma into the bedrooms of elderly people via aromatherapy every evening for two hours for six months.

The results showed that the participants' memory improved by 226%. The study found that participants exposed to these aromas not only had improved memory, but also improved brain connectivity, especially the "flexible bundle" neural pathways associated with memory and decision-making. This simple, non-invasive method may help enhance cognitive function and help prevent dementia.

Aromatherapy has become a convenient and powerful tool to relieve anxiety and depression, which is within our reach and completely under our control. It does not rely on complex equipment or external environment, and can be easily performed at home, in the office, or in a teahouse, bringing physical and mental healing.

Therefore, aromatherapy is not only a simple way of self-care, but also an important means of relaxation in modern fast-paced life. Studies have shown that certain aromas have significant potential in relieving mood:

Bergamot and Sweet Orange: Associated with reducing anxiety and stress, they have been widely used to relieve symptoms of anxiety by boosting mood, aiding relaxation, and reducing stress.

Lavender: May improve sleep and reduce anxiety, stress, and depression, its calming effects make it ideal for coping with everyday stressors.

Rosemary, Rose, and Wild Ginger: Beneficial for those suffering from depression, they can elevate mood, reduce stress, and improve mental health.

Ylang-ylang: It can positively affect heart rate, blood pressure and breathing, and has a relaxing effect on the body and mind, which helps to relieve physical tension caused by depression.

Grapefruit: Outstanding in relieving mental fatigue and tiredness. A 1995 study showed that grapefruit, along with other citrus essential oils, may be "more effective than antidepressants" in some cases, providing a natural depression relief option. However, aromatherapy is only a supplement and cannot replace traditional medical treatment.

Moreover, not everyone is suitable for using "burning incense" as a way to relax or heal. For some people, certain aromas, fumes or particles may trigger allergic reactions or increase anxiety, especially the strong smell of some essential oils may cause headaches, nausea or other discomfort. Especially for people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma patients, or pregnant women, special care is needed when using aromatherapy. It is recommended to consult a professional before use to ensure its safety and applicability.

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In addition, when enjoying the fragrance of scented candles, please be careful not to be greedy. The combustion products of candles may have an impact on human health. Studies have shown that the smoke of scented candles contains a variety of chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) and particulate matter (PM). These substances may irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, cause nausea, difficulty breathing, and even damage the central nervous system and other organs. Therefore, be careful not to burn for a long time during use, and use scented candles correctly.

Can scented candles be made casually?

In recent years, many teaching videos have been widely circulated on the Internet. Makers can choose different wax materials, essential oils and dyes according to their preferences to create unique scented candles.

The production process usually includes the steps of selecting materials (essential oils, wax materials and candle wicks, etc.), melting wax materials, adding essential oils, filling molds and cooling and solidifying. The process is simple and interesting, and the cost is relatively low. However, there are some risks in making your own scented candles. You can take a look at the following precautions↓↓↓

Material selection: Choose high-quality wax materials and essential oils from regular brands, and avoid using inferior or harmful materials;

Temperature control: When melting wax and adding essential oils, control the temperature to prevent the essential oils from volatilizing or burning. It is recommended to use special utensils during the melting process to avoid safety hazards caused by open flames;

Container: When heating, do not use heat-resistant containers for convenience;

Air circulation: Keep the room ventilated to prevent inhalation of harmful substances.

Just like the handmade soaps that were popular in previous years, compared to home-made scented candles, the scented candles produced by regular companies are more mature in formula design and craftsmanship, with automated and standardized industrial production lines, and stricter quality control and quality inspection. Therefore, you need to be more careful when purchasing handmade scented candles.

In addition, there are several security risks that you should pay attention to during use:

① Fire prevention, fire prevention, and fire prevention! When lighting scented candles, keep them away from flammable items such as curtains, books, etc. Do not place them in a location that is easily accessible during the burning process to prevent burns or accidents caused by knocking over the candles;

② Ventilation: When using in a confined space for a long time, attention should be paid to ventilation to ensure indoor air quality;

③ Choose products with quality assurance , and do not choose scented candles made of inferior paraffin or essential oils;

④ Infants, the elderly, pregnant women and people with cardiopulmonary diseases should be particularly careful when using scented candles to reduce potential health accidents. In addition, they should also pay attention to whether they have allergic reactions to the ingredients released by the burning of scented candles.

References

[1]https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.3c07574

[2]https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304389414010243

[3]https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0273230014000348

Planning and production

Author: Heartson Materials Engineer PhD in Materials Science, Zhejiang University

Su Jing National Level 2 Psychological Counselor

Review丨Sun Mingxuan, Professor of Shanghai University of Engineering Science

Planning丨Yinuo

Editor: Yinuo

Proofread by Xu Lai and Lin Lin