Abundant Flame Candle Company

Specific scents can trigger memories and send you hurtling back in time.

The smell of chocolate chip cookies baking in an oven can bring you back to time spent in your grandmother's kitchen. The mingling of sunscreen and chlorine reminds you of that one summer you spent lifeguarding and trying in vain to mitigate a serious case of harsh tan lines.

These scent flashbacks are not only common but scientifically verified to be important in how our brains process information.

The yearning to understand the link between the power of scent and our bodies can be traced as far back as ancient civilizations. 

One of the ways we use this link to its fullest potential is through aromatherapy candles.

Aromatherapy and Me

You may be asking yourself, What can I use aromatherapy for? 

There are so many therapeutic benefits: stress relief, restful sleep, boosting immunity, easing joint pain, mood stability-- the list truly goes on and on.

Given the strong connection between mind, body, and soul and aromatherapy, you can learn how to take advantage of these benefits and further empower yourself.

As opposed to applying essential oils to the skin, aromatherapy candles let users passively reap the benefits, all the while enjoying the ambiance of a lit candle. Don't be afraid to decorate with candles: you don't need to light them all at once!

While scientific studies have yet to be conducted on the matter, many people can boast about the positive anecdotal evidence of having aromatherapy candles in their homes. The candles themselves can adorn any room, but when they're lit up, it can really enhance your space.

Need to Know 

Some quick Dos and Don'ts on buying and using aromatherapy candles.

When selecting an aromatherapy candle, make sure you're picking a candle that has pure aromatherapy essential oils versus synthetic. The therapeutic effect will be seriously reduced if you're burning synthetic oils.

Also, be sure to choose soy-based wax candles instead of petroleum-based ones. Petroleum wax candles give off toxic soot during their burn, which can potentially transfer to walls and fixtures. The soot, if breathed in, could cause respiratory problems for people and animals.

On the other hand, soy-based candles burn cleaner and longer. As an added bonus, soy wax candles are environmentally friendly because they're sustainable, renewable, and vegan. 

Set your mind at ease and go for the soy candles.

It is important to use aromatherapy candles safely and responsibly, so only burn candles a safe distance away from flammable objects, always in your line of sight, and never left on their own.

Let's go room by room, scent by scent, and see how we can pick an aromatherapy candle that suits your needs.

Aromatherapy Candles for the Bedroom 

For many of us, the bedroom can be a multipurpose room: a streaming service binge session for one, a late-night pajama dance party, or even a safe haven to nurse a broken heart.

We may take refuge there after a long day, or we may spend alone time with someone special. 

No matter the occasion, it's important the vibe of your bedroom matches what you have planned, and aromatherapy candles are a great place to start.

The term aromatherapy (or aromatherapie in the original usage) was actually coined by French perfumer René-Maurice Gattefossé, in 1935 after he observed the healing effects of lavender on an infected burn. So as a nod to the father of aromatherapy, it feels fitting that we start with lavender.

Lavender is probably the highest selling and most popular scent. The reason being is that lavender is like the broccoli of aromatherapy: a true super scent that can help with so many things, such as stress relief, anxiety, headaches/migraines, and insomnia.

While lavender has historically maintained the reputation of being a potent sleep aid, a 2015 scientific study shows breathing in lavender can help people fall and stay asleep. 

A lavender candle can be put in any room of your home because of its far-reaching benefits. But the bedroom may be the best place for a lavender candle because what could be better than drifting off into a lavender dreams? Nothing like falling asleep in a field of lavender and waking up in one too.

Speaking of lavender and the bedroom, the scent of lavender is also considered to have aphrodisiac qualities. According to a study in 2019, lavender was shown to increase sexual arousal in women. This could be due to lavender's superior calming properties.

Other scents within the aphrodisiac family are jasmine and amber, both of which stimulate passion and, when used together, can create an intoxicating and sensual floral musk. 

If muskier scents don't do it for you, sweet scents like vanilla or chocolate are also said to increase arousal and heighten romance. 

Bathroom Candles for Relaxation

Ancient Egyptians used essential oils in aromatherapy for cleanliness and wellness. They believed certain scents had physical and spiritual cleansing properties for both the living and the dead, like myrrh and sandalwood, which were specifically used in the mummification process.

While you may not need to cleanse any mummies in the near future, it's still important to cleanse your bathroom space and yourself. 

Hot baths directly correlate to relaxing your body, increasing blood flow, and aiding in restful sleep.

Hot baths and candles simply go hand in hand; if you're looking for a peaceful and comforting soak, look for aromatherapy candles that feature patchouli, frankincense, and myrrh. These heady scents provide a sense of safety and contentment.

Not an earthy scent fan? Have no fear! Fortunately for you, there are plenty of other scents that can provide a similar effect and for your bathtub enjoyment. Florals, like juniper, and citruses, like lemon, are a match made in heaven. They're light and clean scent profiles that calm and prevent you from feeling bogged down when life's put a little too much on your plate. 

Lemon is also a great odor neutralizer, and having a candle with a lemon base may prove to be useful in your bathroom should you have the need to neutralize any odors.

Common Area Calming Scents

Now that we've discussed bedroom and bathroom aromatherapy candles, let's move to the common areas, like the living room or dining area.

Similar to the other home spaces, it's important to set your intended vibe. Common spaces in the home are unique because they're meant to be used by multiple people at the same time.

You are free to decide what that vibe is for you, but often people look for scents that are inviting and light. These kinds of scents are great for entertaining guests or just hanging out with a friend.

Scents that are too sweet-smelling or too intense can be divisive.

Spiced caramel apple, for example, may be an appropriate choice depending on the time of year, but can overwhelm and disrupt the environment you're looking to create. 

After all, you want your aromatherapy candles to complement your space, not clash with it. So, in that respect, clean and light is always a safe option.

Linen is a wonderful day-to-day choice. Many people say linen smells like clean laundry, which can then register in your mind as a feeling of accomplishment and ease as though you've finished all of your laundry and can now relax. 

If you enjoy florals, cherry blossom and rose are also a great pick. Generally, these scents set people at ease and transports them to springtime even if it's the dead of winter.

Don't Be Afraid to Be You

However, as it is your space to do with as you see fit, be bold and true to yourself. Make a statement with your scent choice and own it.

Sometimes a single scented candle just doesn't scream "me," and then you're prompted to look inward and ask yourself: "Who am I?"

Aromatherapy candles that combine different base notes create enriching and complex burning experiences that can take you on a journey.

To decide what kind of candle suits you, it's important to decide which bases you like and which ones you'd prefer to stay away from. 

Do you like floral, fruity, and spicy scents? With notes of pear, honeysuckle, jasmine, and amber, Moonflower Sugared Poppy, for example, is a moment in time distilled into an 80hr+ burn candle. 

The combinations between base notes are endless and, most important, personal.

What Are You Waiting For?

At Abundant Flame Candle co. we specialize in custom soy wax candles that are crystal infused and provide holistic benefits.

They're great for any mood you want to create or for any room in your house. And what better way to warm a house than to gift a friend an aromatherapy candle (or even pick one up for yourself while you're at it!).

We would love to hear from you about your experience with aromatherapy candles, along with any tips and tricks you use to get into your desired headspace!

Drop a comment below!