Soy Candles

Frankincense is used to make incense and perfumes.  It is actually a dried tree sap or aromatic resin.  It has been associated with the story of the birth of baby Jesus as one of the gifts the wise-men brought.  It comes from trees of the “Boswellia” genus, one of which is the  deciduous tree “Boswellia Thurifera”.  These trees can be found in Somalia, Oman and Yemen.  They are known for their ability to grow in unfavorable environments, such as seemingly to grow out of solid rock.  A disk-like growth at the base of the tree somehow attaches itself to the rock, that prevents it from being torn away during the frequent violent storms in these areas.  Trees that are grown in gravel or rocky soil don’t exhibit this bulbous disk-like growth in such extreme. 

The aromatic resin or tree sap is diverse within this species of trees depending on the soil and climate it is grown in and the species of frankincense tree.  Frankincense is tapped by scraping or cutting the bark and allowing the sap to ooze or bleed out and harden.  The sap is then collected and now is called tears.  This process is done 2 -3 times per year.  Younger trees produce a higher quality resin and if opaque is of superior quality.  Resin value is determined by fragrance, color and clump size.  The lighter and larger clumps are more valuable. 

Frankincense was used in the ancient world to make incense, to perfume the homes of the ancient Greeks and Romans.  It was used in religious rituals of the ancient Egyptians, Assyrians and Babylonians, later in Jewish rites and even later in Catholic rites.  It was also know for its medicinal purposes in history: the first antidote for hemlock poisoning; cure for vomiting, diarrhea, fever and tumors; and today in China to treat leprosy and gonorrhea; in Asia used in medicine to treat digestion and for healthy skin.  Frankincense is edible.  It is chewed like gum but must be pure, no black or brown impurities.  It must be translucent, a light yellow with a slight greenish tint.

Frankincense is used today in perfumery and aromatherapy.  It can be mixed with spices or seeds to create its desired aroma.  The chunks of raw resin can also be placed directly on a heat source to create an incense quality aroma that repels mosquitoes.  The essential oil “Olibanum” is obtained through steam distillation of the dry resin.  Perfumes may contain this essential oil that evaporates slowly, thus maintaining its fragrance.  The essential oil is also used in aromatherapy and is known for its stress-reducing properties.  It has a fresh sweet fragrance that is characterized by a balsamic-spicy, slightly lemon, slight conifer-like undertone.

For a simple way to enjoy the scent of Frankincense try scented soy candles.  You can find this aroma in the scent of “Oh Holy Night”.  This fragrance comes in a variety of styles and sizes of gourmet scented soy candles, soy container candles, soy jar candles, soy candle tins, soy votive,  gourmet soy tart melts, and fragrance oils.

Eucalyptus is a broad group of trees and sometimes shrubs that grow mostly in Australia.  The word means “well covered”.  In Australia there are over 700 species of eucalyptus.  It also is found in small numbers in parts of New Guinea, Indonesia, Philippines, America, England, Africa, Middle East, China, the Indian Subcontinent and the Mediterranean Basin. 

Uses of the eucalyptus tree include:

1. A wood source that has made them economically important in poorer regions of the world.
2. Its oil serves as a natural insecticide and cleaner.
3. Since it sucks water from the ground it is being planted to drain swamps.  In the process it reduces the malaria risk in those areas.
4. The leaves are beneficial in that they contain compounds that are natural disinfectants. 
5. There is an essential oil that is extracted from the leaves.  In large quantities, however this compound is toxic.  Steam distillation is used to extract the eucalyptus oil from the leaves.  This oil is used for cleaning purposes, deodorizing, in small amounts in food supplements as cough drops, sweets and decongestants. 
6. It is an active ingredient in some commercial mosquito repellents as it has insect repellent properties. 
7. The nectar of some trees produce honey. 
8. The wood is used in making Australian Aboriginal wood instruments. 
9. Dyes can be made from all parts of the eucalyptus and the material left over from the processing can be used for mulch and fertilizers.

Scented soy candles uses the fragrant essential oil of eucalyptus in making a pleasing aroma for your home.  You can find this fragrance in soy candle container jars, 4oz travel tins, gourmet soy melts, soy votive, fragrance oil, and in the fragrance of “Cool Breeze” in aromatherapy and body massage soy candles. 

Candle jars are as versatile as the stars in the sky.  They come in all shapes and sizes and materials.  They are among some of most attractive holders for candles and make lovely room accessories for the home or gifts for loved ones.  In making your own candles you have a great deal of choice in choosing what container you can use.  Be creative!  Metal tins, glass jars, whimsical looking containers the list is unending.  The glass can be clear, colored, textured, apothecary jars, jelly or Mason jars, square or round jars.  Tins can be round, square, rectangular or hexagonal.  Provided the container you use is heat safe and leak proof, almost any container will work for your candle.

There are various candle molds also available for use in making and shaping your candles.  They range from metal candle molds to any container lined with wax, as an old clean milk carton.  Aluminum molds are popular due to their durability, heat resistance, and are seamless.  If you want to save money in making your candles, then use any wax lined materials you have on hand.  The great thing about them is they are recyclable.

There are many methods availabe in making candles, depending on your mold or container being used.  Using candle containers or jars are the easiest.  You must select what type of wax you prefer to use.  The three most popular types are paraffin wax, soy wax, and beeswax.  Paraffin can get messy to work with while soy wax is easily cleaned up with soap and water.  Beeswax is produced from honeybees and comes in sheets so there is no need for melting, simply wrap it around a wick and press to seal.

Resolutions, resolutions, resolutions.  How many have you made in the past and never kept?  Plan on making some for this new year?  How about the resolution to turn over a healthier lifestyle!  Start it with soy candles.  They burn cleaner and are better for your health.  They produce very little to no soot, are easy to clean up with soap and water, create no toxins in the air, last 50% longer than paraffin candles, and are a renewable resource being made from soybeans.

Jar candles or tins make a lovely addition to any room.  These candles are easy to move from one place to another.  You won’t have to worry about the wax dripping onto a surface.  The candle holder is a part of the package, so no worrying about purchasing a holder.  When the soy candle is all burnt, you have a beautiful container for yet some other use. 

If you want a different presentation of a soy candle try a pillar soy candle.  They come in different sizes, so you can make a beautiful arrangement with them on your table.  For a truly creative option, try a chunky soy pillar candle.  They are made using richly scented chunks that are over-poured with scented wax of a complimentary fragrance and color.  These soy candles are a marriage of artistry and fragrance.  The result is a pillar soy candle that is a work of art, visually appealing and aromatically pleasing.  When lit they become even more beautiful as the flame dances behind the multi-colored translucent wax.     

Then if you are looking for a smaller version of a pillar, try a soy votive candle.  The up side of burning a votive is you will never get tried of their fragrance.  You can keep trying a new scent often, and find your favorite one.  For elegance, try putting your votive in a beautiful holder and set several around your home, and let their aroma burst forth.

Looking for a flame-less soy candle, try gourmet soy melts.  Just add them to a candle warmer dish, plug it in and let them melt down.  Soy melts come in several fragrances.  Mix and match till you find your favorites.  Remember the warmer dish will clean up with just soap and water.

Aromatherapy soy candles bring the healing power to your mind and body.  These fragrant candles are made with pure essential oils.  Their aromatic fragrance is captivating, beautiful and sensual.  Each one is designed to provide a gourmet aromatherapy soy candle experience.  The powerful scent of orange is held to be invigorating and renewing while lavender has a calming effect.

Soy wood wicks offers a level of ambiance beyond that of traditional soy wax candles that use a cotton wick. The wood wick melts the scented soy wax faster and disperses the soy candle fragrance into the air much quicker.  With a wood wick soy candle you can hear the soothing sound of the organic wood wick, softly crackling as it burns.

Gourmet body massage soy candles will heighten your senses; of touch (as the warm skin-nourishing and moisturizing massage oil is gently massaged into your skin), of sight (by setting the mood with the mesmerizing glow of candlelight) and smell (from its deliciously soft fragrance).  They will ignite your love life, helping to make those special moments even more intimate.  The candle oil is irresistible!  The nutrient rich oils contained in the soy candle will rejuvenate, soften and hydrate your skin.  Along with improving skin resiliency and texture, the massage soy oil blend will leave your skin luxurious, silky smooth and delicately scented.

Try a fragrance oil that is 100% pure and undiluted.  You can add fragrance oil to potpourri or use them in a scent burner.  They are perfect to use in a lamp ring.  Simply pour a small amount of your favorite scent into the lamp ring, set it on top of the light bulb and turn on the lamp.  The heat from the bulb will disperse the scent from the fragrance oil throughout your home. 

Whatever your choice of soy candle is, you can’t go wrong.  Mix and match styles, sizes and fragrances for a truly, enjoyable, healthy, soy candle experience.  Happy New Year!  

Myrrh is a reddish-brown resinous material, the dried sap of the tree Commiphora myrrha.  It is native to Yemen, Somalia and the eastern parts of Ethiopia.

Myrrh was greatly valued in ancient times.  It was well worth its weight in gold.  It came to be synonymous with the word “perfume”.  Myrrh was one of the ingredients of perfumes in that time .  In ancient Rome it was valued 5 times as much as frankincense, even though frankincense was more popular.  Myrrh was used in Roman funerals to cover up the smell of the burning corpses,   They obviously believed in cremation as a source of burial.  It was also used to fumigate wine jars before bottling the wine.

Myrrh has a religious connection.  It was mentioned as a primary ingredient in the holy anointing oil Moses was commanded to make by God.  It was one of the gifts the Magi brought to the infant Jesus, was offered to Jesus during the crucifixion and was one of the spices used in preparing Jesus body for burial.  Today it is used by many churches in the preparation of chrism, which is consecrated oil used in baptism and confirmation. 

In the medical arena it is used as an antiseptic, found in mouthwashes, gargles and toothpastes for prevention and treatment of gum disease.  It is also used in some liniments and healing salves that can be applied to minor skin aliments and abrasions.  When the myrrh gum is mixed into vinegar it has a property that is used in alternative medicine to remove blood congestion and relieve pain.  It is used in the production of Fernet, a home remedy used in the treatment of menstrual and gastrointestinal discomforts, such as hangovers, baby colic and cholera.  Fernet is a bitter aromatic spirit made from over 40 herbs and spices.

Myrrh is also used as an ingredient in the making of scented soy candles.  You can find it in the fragrances of Oh Holy Night and Burning Desire. Herald in the new year with a gourmet soy candle or fragrance oil filling your home with a royal aroma. 

Simply put, a container candle is a candle sold in a container, such as a glass jar or metal tin.  A soy container candle is one made from soy-wax from the soybean.  The candles are molded directly inside their respective container with the hot soy-wax.  The soy candle is made to be stored and burned in its original container.  Using a soy container candle provides for greater safety from being a fire hazard.  You can find a wide range of containers ranging in many sizes, shapes, styles and materials.  You can even find container candles made from recycled materials. 

Scented soy container candles come with lids to keep the fragrance contained until you want to burn the candle.  A lid makes it easy to transport the soy candle from one room to another.  The lid also prevents the scent from becoming overwhelming when not in use, as it can permeate other objects.

You can make your own soy container candle at home.  Just purchase some soy-wax and collect your choice of container and go to work on your own creation.  Happy Holidays!  

The basis of how essential oils works on our body through inhalation is as follows;

1. They have an immediate effect on our sense of smell or also know as olfaction. 
2. When we inhale essential oils our olfactory receptors are stimulated.
3. This is transmitted to the limbic system, which is the emotional center of our brain.
4. The limbic system is connected to the areas of our brain that operate the memory, respiratory or breathing, circulatory or blood, and the endocrine glands.
5. The endocrine glands regulate different hormone levels in our body.
6. The property of the essential oil that was inhaled, will determine what system is involved and what kind of stimulation occurs.

Essential oils are also effective when used topically or on the skin.  When used in massage oils the route of administration is two-fold.  One in the inhalation of the oil, thus working as explained above, and two in a topical application as the oil is massaged into the skin. 

1. Topically, they penetrate the skin tissues.
2. Next they find their way into the bloodstream or circulatory system.
3. Here they are transported to the organs and other systems of the body.

How many of you have been to the spa and had a terrific massage with a wonderful smelling massage oil?  Now you can have that massage right in the comfort of your own home with a gourmet body massage soy candle.  Share the experience with your loved one and spread the love around!

Aromatherapy is a term used to refer to various traditions making the use of essential oils.  They could sometimes be used in conjunction with other alternative medical practices and spiritual beliefs.  Common use of aromatherapy products include medicine, massaging products, and any topical application that includes the use of essential oils.  Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine using essential oils {EOs} and various aromatic compounds from the plant.  The purpose is to affect your mind or health.  When the plant is used to make essential oils only the monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes are recovered.  This is what makes them unique from other herbal products in which the lighter phytomolecules are recovered with the distillation process. 

There are various routes of administration of aromatherapy compounds.  Included are: 

1.  direct inhalation-used for respiratory disinfection, decongestant, expectoration as well as psychological effects.
2. aerial diffusion- used for aerial disinfection or environmental fragrances.
3. oral, vaginal, rectal- used for infection, congestion, parasites, perfume for body scenting, and anointment’s.
4. topical applications- used for general massage, baths, compresses, and therapeutic skin care.

Then there is the use of aromatherapy in candles.  This route of administration would be be direct inhalation.  Another route would be with topical application when using a gourmet body massage soy candle from the spa collection.  The fragrances offered are Citrus Fantasy, Cool Breeze, Enchanted Journey, Lavender Fields, Pleasant Dreams and Sensual Moments.  With cold weather coming snuggle up close to that special someone and offer them a body massage to take away the winter blahs.  These special soy candles will add vigor to your love life. 

Essential oils have been used by the Greeks, Romans, and Ancient Egyptians for bathing, body massages, and for embalming the dead.  It did not have a word then to describe the practice but today we do.  In 1930 a French chemist by the name of Rene Maurice Gattefosse coined the term for the therapeutic use of essential oils as aromatherapy.  He had burnt his hand and applied lavender oil to it and realized there was no scar left.  This began his study of the use of essential oils for their psycho-therapeutic benefits.  In World War II, French army surgeon Dr. Jean Valnet used essential oils as antiseptics.  Then later Madame Marguerite Maury began prescribing essential oils as remedies for her patients, elevating aromatherapy as a holistic therapy.  Also credited to her is the modern day usage of essential oils in massage.

Today you can have your own personal body massage with essential oils in the form of a gourmet body massage soy candle.  This new form of a soy candle will heighten your love life.  Each candle has enough for 10 full body massages.  You can choose from over 50 fragrances. 

The nutrient rich oils contained in the gourmet body massage soy candle will rejuvenate, soften and hydrate the skin leaving it deeply moisturized.  Along with improving skin resiliency and texture, the massage soy oil blend will leave your skin luxurious, silky smooth and delicately scented.

The gourmet body massage soy candles are environmentally friendly and made using only the finest ingredients available: cosmetic, grade soy oil; grape-seed oil; Shea butter; mango butter; jojoba oil; vitamin E; and beeswax.  Candles from the spa collection include only 100 % pure essential oils to achieve a true aromatherapy experience.  The other collections are produced using only skin safe fragrance oils.

Why not give your loved one and yourself a true aromatherapy experience in the comfort of your own home.  Enjoy and relax with a gourmet body massage soy candle!

Halloween is over and with it the Jack-O’-Lantern, but Thanksgiving is soon to come.  One thing these celebrations have in common is the pumpkin.  The pumpkin is thought to have originated in North America.  References to the pumpkin date back many centuries from Greek, to French, to English, to American.  Its name has undergone many changes as well from the Greek “pepon”, to the French “pompon”, to the English “Pumpion”, to the American colonists name “pumpkin”.  It has been used by the Native American Indians as a staple in their diets long before the pilgrims landed in America.  They used it in making mats from dried pumpkin strips, as well as roasting those strips for food.  Then the pilgrims arrived and found pumpkin becoming a staple in their diet as well.  Pumpkin pie is believed to have found its origin when the colonists filled the carved out shell with milk, spices and honey and baked it in the hot ashes of a dying fire. 

A great way to celebrate Thanksgiving is by filling your home with the fresh scent of pumpkin spice.  There are versatile styles of soy container candles, soy votives, soy wood wicks, soy melts and fragrance oils in which to choose the fragrance of pumpkin spice.  Enjoy this Thanksgiving and give thanks for the many blessings in your life.  Happy Thanksgiving!