Scented candles have been around for thousands of years since before the time of Christ. Aromatherapy and the use of essential oils date back just as far. On the other hand, soy candles have only been around since 1992. Shortly after that, the two were combined and aromatherapy soy candles were born.

Aromatherapy soy candles - exactly what are they?

To put it simply, aromatherapy is the practice of using fragrance for therapeutic purposes. Practically, aromatherapy entails the use of volatile plant oils, to create an aroma that is then inhaled. The aroma affects the body and mind in specific ways.

Aromatherapy soy candles are soy candles infused with essential oils. Usually, an aromatherapy soy candle is contained in a jar since pillar candles cannot be made with pure soy wax. That jar candle is then lit, and the oils are heated and diffused into the air. The aromas from those essential oils are inhaled and that's when the effects take place.

Do aromatherapy soy candles really work?

Again, aromatherapy has been used by people all over the world since the dawn of civilization. It would be hard to argue against the effectiveness of the practice even if its effects were completely psychosomatic. In comparison, western medicine has only just begun to realize the effectiveness or aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy uses the innate healing powers of the essence or aroma of particular plants, flowers, roots, etc. A standard candle scented with artificial fragrance does not have the same effect. The reason for this is because essential oils are derived from natural sources whereas the regularly scented candle uses chemicals to mimic certain fragrances. The body knows which scent is natural and which scent is artificial.

When you light a standard scented candle, you almost immediately begin to smell the aroma being released by the fragrance or perfume that is infused with the candle wax. If you are used to the strong, pungent fragrances associated with modern day scented candles, it may take you a while to smell the aroma being released by an aromatherapy soy candle.

The differences between an aroma artificially produced by a perfume and an aroma naturally produced by and essential oil are profound. Perfume scents are therapeutic in that they can trigger memory receptors and thus affect mood. However, essential oils work on this level as well as a much deeper level. It is not necessarily the scent from the essential oil that is therapeutic. It is now believed that the chemicals in these oils have a measurable effect on the physical body.

It is best to use soy wax when using essential plant oils for a few reasons. Firstly, it burns cleanly and does not adversely affect the fragrance of the essential oils. It also burns cooler which allows the fragrance to be dispersed more slowly and more evenly, moreover, the oils aren't heated up to the point where the essential oils are damaged. This can happen with paraffin since it burns hotter and produces carbon based soot when burned.

When using an aromatherapy soy candle, it is recommended that you find a quiet place to sit and inhale the aroma for a minimum of a half hour. This will give the essential oils enough time to interact with your body.