Scented candles and aromatherapy oils provide surprising psychological health benefits.
Scented candles and aromatherapy oils appeal to the sense of smell to uplift or calm moods. Pleasant scent varieties produce positive psychological effects and are prepared with this effect in mind. Bodily ailments that are manifested psychologically can often be alleviated with the use of aromatherapy oils and scented candles. You can create your own essential oils for their healing effects. While you can use these oils on their own for massage purposes or to perfume a room, you can also combine them with wax to create aromatherapy candles.
Instructions
Aromatherapy Oil
1. Purchase grape seed or vegetable oil to serve as a base for your essential oil mixture.
2. Fill a large Mason jar 2/3 full of your chosen base oil.
3. Crush your herb of choice with a mortar and pestle so that as much surface area as possible will be exposed to the base oil. Some fragrant herbs include orange blossom, lavender, mint and honeysuckle. Repeat this process for spices.
4. Add the herbs and spices to your jar of base oil, stir and seal tightly.
5. Set the jar in a warm, sunny area for 48 hours. Shake it vigorously every 12 hours.
6. Open the Mason jar and strain its contents over a bowl draped with cheesecloth.
7. Squeeze the plant material caught by the cheesecloth over the oil to ensure that as much fragrance infuses the oil as possible.
8. Pour the oil back in the Mason jar and repeat steps one through four with new plant material until you are satisfied with the potency of the oil.
9. Pour your aromatherapy oil into a dark glass bottle, preferably with a dropper. Date and label the mixture and store it in a cool, dark location for up to a year.
Scented Candles
10. Fill the bottom pot of a double boiler approximately halfway full with water and place it over high heat until it reaches a rolling boil.
11. Place wax cubes in the inner saucepan and heat them until they reach a liquid consistency.
12. Prepare your candle container(s) while the wax melts. Cut a piece of wick so that the end extends 1 inch above the opening of the jar. Place a dot of glue on the metal end of the wick and press it down firmly in the center of the jar so the wick stands upright.
13. Drop aromatherapy oil into the melted wax and stir. Add drops of oil until you are satisfied with the scent of the wax.
14. Pour the melted wax slowly and carefully into your candle jar until it nearly reaches the top of the jar. Allow the wax to harden before using the candle.
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