10 Essential Oils for Candles and their Wellbeing Benefits.
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Different from synthetic fragrance oils - essential oils are natural compounds made from raw materials – to put it simply, the aroma of a plant or fruit is captured by extracting oil directly from that plant or fruit. This is usually achieved by a process called steam distillation or cold pressing.
But there’s something you should know - not all essential oils perform well in candles – some give off an unpleasant scent when burning and some can even evaporate during the candle making process (more on that another time).
The great news is that there are so many essential oils that perform beautifully in candles. Over the past year, we’ve tested many (individually and as blends) - here's a list of our favourites.
1. LEMONGRASS
Botanical name – Cymbopogon
Extracted by – steam distillation
Extracted from – plant leaves
Origin – Maylasia
Aroma – fresh, lemony, earthy and slightly sweet
Benefits – high antibacterial properties and acts as a natural insect repellent. Lemongrass is also said to help wash away stress, anxiety and tension.
2. YLANG-YLANG (pronounced ee-lang ee-lang)
Botanical name – Cananga Odorata
Extracted by – steam distillation
Extracted from – flowers
Origin – Madagascar
Aroma – floral, rich, deep and bright
Benefits – Ylang-ylang is ideal for balancing hormones and easing menstrual discomfort. It’s also great for stress relief and helping to keep anxiety at bay.
3. LAVENDER
Botanical name - Lavandula
Extraction by - steam distillation
Extracted from - flower head
Origin - Mediterranean
Aroma - sweet, floral and herbaceous
Benefits – another one that’s brilliant for aiding sleep – no wonder it’s a staple in most room sprays and pillow mists! Lavender also acts as a natural anti-inflammatory, helping with pain relief and motion sickness.
4. BASIL
Botanical name: Ocimum basilicum
Extracted by - steam distillation
Extracted from – leaves and flowers
Origin - Italy
Aroma - herby and light with subtle hints of mint
Benefits – researchers have learned that basil essential oil contains antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties – a triple threat. It’s also said to help lift a bad mood and support better digestion.
5. MAY CHANG
Botanical name: Litsea Cubeba
Extracted by - steam distillation
Extracted from – plant leaves
Origin - Southeast Asia
Aroma - very ‘citrussy’ – a bit like sherbet lemons. It’s also similar to Lemongrass, but May Chang is much sweeter and overall, more refined.
Benefits – May Chang is relatively new to the modern aromatherapy world, but it’s been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many centuries. All parts of the plant are used as natural remedies for muscular aches and pains and digestive problems.
6. GERANIUM
Botanical name: Pelargonium
Extracted by - steam distillation
Extracted from – flowers and leaves
Origin - Southern Africa
Aroma – think citrus and fruits, with hints of spices and rose.
Benefits – Geranium is a soft, floral oil known for its calming effects. Geranium has incredible anti-inflammatory properties, too! It’s also said to help soothe joint pain and muscle aches.
7. ROSEMARY
Botanical name - Salvia rosmarinus
Extracted by - steam distillation
Extracted from – branches and leaves
Origin - Mediterranean
Aroma - herbal, resinous and slightly spicy
Benefits – Rosemary has been linked to improving mood, de-cluttering the mind and relieving stress. Its biggest benefit is lowering cortisol levels just by smelling it!
8. NEROLI
Botanical name - Citrus aurantium var Amara
Extracted by - steam distillation
Extracted from – flowers
Origin - Tunisia
Aroma - a big juicy flower - citrussy, green, and slightly bitter.
Benefits – another natural beauty with powerful antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Neroli also enhances sleep quality, promotes relaxation and eases stress.
9. PETITGRAIN
Botanical name - Citrus aurantium ssp. amara
Extracted by - steam distillation
Extracted from – leaves , twigs and flowers
Origin - France
Aroma – Petitgrain is comparable to neroli (it comes from the same tree) – however, it’s a bit more on the earthy side with herby undertones.
Benefits – Petitgrain promotes feelings of comfort, calmness, and mental harmony.
10. CEDARWOOD
Botanical name – Cedrus
Extracted by – steam distillation
Extracted from – bark, leaves and berries
Origin – Cedar tress can be found all around the world
Aroma – woody, fresh with hints of resin and balsamic undertones
Benefits – Cedarwood is great for stress relief, improving focus and promoting a better night’s sleep.
So there you have it! Our top 10 essential oils for candles along with their wellbeing benefits.