oliveu
Registered: 09/25/08
Posts: 1
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Reply with quote | #1 |
Hello! I am interested in using essential oils instead of fragrance oils when making my olive oil wax candles; creating a more 'natural fragrance' candle. My problem is, I don't know how much essential oil to use and if it is, in fact, safe to use in candle making. Also, are there any essential oils that can cause adverse reactions when permeating the air from the heat of a candle? I have not been able to find an answers in any of the candle making forums. Thanks so much.
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Carolyn
Moderator
Registered: 06/20/08
Posts: 89
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Reply with quote | #2 |
Welcome to The Aromatherapy Place Forum Oliveu - and if you have the inclination, you should find a number of existing threads discussing the use of essential oils in candle making that might also help -
As you say, not all essential oils are suitable for candle-making - some just don't smell particularly pleasant - some contain components that are potentially irritating to the mucus membranes and respiratory passages - and all are flammable of course.
Whereas fragrance preference is a personal thing - you should find references to potentially irritating components in most good aromatherapy books. However, releasing essential oil components through the warmth of a lit candle into a relatively large area is not likely to be as critical to mucus membranes and respiratory passages as direct inhalation or topical administration. Still, it's worth knowing which essential oils carry higher risks for inhalational use because the young, old, and immune-compromised are at potentially higher risk of a negative reaction than healthy adults.
Essential oils also vary in fragrance strength and tenacity as you've probably already determined - citrus oils are notorious for peaking late and disappearing early, whereas heavier based oils like sandalwood and patchouli last for days sometimes.
My favorite user-friendly essential oils for candle and soap making - primarily for tenacity, low risk, and cost-effectiveness, are:
lemongrass, geranium, lemon-scented eucalyptus, benzoin, patchouli, ylang ylang, lavandin, lime, orange, spearmint, spruce or pine - and clove and cinnamon bark at low concentrations - usually blended with a citrus note.
Just a few notes on these: lavandin is commonly a more tenacious lavender fragrance - and cheaper for larger quantities if you want a strong lavender note - but you probably don't want a lavandin with very high ketone content - smells too camphoraceous - so ask your supplier. Remember although lavender is very popular, good lavenders can cost a lot so you might want to find a more cost-effective alternative to burn in a candle. Lemongrass is a less soapy alternative to cintronella - as is Auroma's lemon-scented eucalyptus - blend with geranium - both of which are strongly tenacious for a long-lasting fragrance. Lime is a good choice for a citrus oil - most of which don't last long at all. Blend several oranges together to get a good all round and longer lasting note - and/or add a small amount of lime and lemongrass to help juiciness and staying power. Clove and cinnamon can be delightful in candles - but unless you actually want a seasonal combo - in which case add a spruce and/or pine too - try blending with citrus notes or strongly floral like geranium and/or ylang ylang. Spearmint/peppermint don't last very long - spearmint has a greener, more herbaceous note and can be extremely interesting with any or the above to give a cool-green touch. Patchouli gives a just-rained-earthy note to any - ylang ylang smoothes out most blends - and benzoin is the closest to vanilla I've found. You might consider Peru Balsam instead for cost considerations - same vanilla note, and benzoin is really sticky and dark and needs warming to flow.
Personally wouldn't waste sandalwood or chamomile or neroli or rose or even a specially good lavender on candles. A little jasmine absolute goes a very long way and so if you're creating an extremely special candle, then try a few drops if you have it and see how it works. Much of essential oil (and fragrance oil for that matter) candle blending is all about experimentation since the eo's will behave differently every time depending on batches, quantities, wax composition, temperatures and even environmental variables as you're creating. Be prepared to keep meticulous notes and be surgical in your handling if you want to even remotely repeat your blends.
A general rule of thumb for quantities = 1/4 oz of fragrance oil per pound of wax - and 1 teaspoon of essential oil per pound of wax.
1 teaspoon is about 5 ml essential oil - depending on viscosity.
Please also remember safety - essential oils and naked flames don't mix well.
Hope this helps and please do share your experiences with us all here at The Aromatherapy Place Forum.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
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