All Natural Safe Beeswax Candles

Health. Most candles are petro-chemical and meatpacking wastes that are toxic when burned, scented with poisonous synthetic oils, and marketed to "freshen" our precious air.

The black soot is as harmful to our health as tobacco smoke. The particles are microscopic and can penetrate even the deepest areas of the lungs! What is not inhaled immediately attaches to things around the house and walls to be inhaled later. The soot includes neurotoxins, carcinogens, and reproductive toxins. This can lead to respiratory problems, cancer, and more. In addition, the black soot can damage small electrical appliances in the home, computers, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

Be particularly wary of:

candles poured into jars as they don't get enough oxygen and do cause toxic black soot
scented candles as the burning of fragrance emits harmful toxins
candles with metal core wicks as they release lead and other harmful toxins
high erratic flames and candles not burning evenly as they emit soot - keep candles away from drafts and make sure wicks are erect and at 1/4 inch

Traditional candles can release chemicals including acetone, benzene, 2-butanone, carbon disulfide, carbon tetrachloride, cresol, chlorobenzene, carbon monoxide, cyclopentene, dietheyl phthalate, ethylbenzene, lead, mercury, phenol, styrene, tetrachloroethene, toleuene, trichloroethane, trochloroethene, trichloroflouromethane, and xylene. Many of these chemicals are stored in the fat of the body over time where they damage DNA and cause future illness.

EPA: “burning several candles… increased risk for cancer”.
American Lung Association: "Refrain from burning scented… candles" "unhealthy indoor air quality from burning candles containing petroleum byproducts (paraffin)"
www.HealthyCandles.org: “Avoid paraffin.”
Sante Fe Candles: "Avoid chemical candles."

Beeswax is very different: all natural, non-toxic, non-polluting, and non-allergenic.. Made from flowers by honeybees, it is all natural, uniquely non-toxic, non-allergenic, and has a delicate honey-sweet aroma. A perfect, peaceful, renewable resource, beeswax is made by female worker bees for honeycomb that safely contains their honey and the Queen’s baby bees. To produce one pound of beeswax, the worker bees eat about ten pounds of honey, fly 150,000 miles, and visit 33 million flower blossoms! Beeswax is precious stuff.

Pure beeswax is actually healthy when burned, producing negative ions that actually clean our air of odors, pollens, smoke, viruses, mold, dust, dust mites, and other allergens and hazards. As does a rainstorm, beeswax candles leave our air fresher and cleaner. They are the only candles for anyone with chemical sensitivities or allergies. Increasing negative ions in the air and on the body, such as when one bathes in water, improves mood and sense of wellbeing. Studies show:

Improved air quality
Improved sleep
Enhanced immune system
Relief from hay fever & allergies
Less severe asthma attacks
Improved concentration
Balancing of hormones
Natural detoxification
Sense of wellbeing

In addition, when looking for a candle it's not only important to consider the wax itself but that little innocuous wick. Some are still being made of lead core metal wicks which are quite toxic. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a warning about this in the 1970s yet it still exists. A three-hour burning of a candle with a lead or metal wick can create toxins up to 33 times acceptable levels. Afterward, lead dust can be inhaled or ingested too so the toxins continue. This is particularly dangerous for children in the house. Lead can damage the central nervous system, reproductive system, and kidneys. Even low levels of lead can lead to lowered intelligence, shorter stature, impaired hearing and neurological development. Metal core wicks can emit also mercury which can lead to other developmental delays and serious long-term results.

Mind Your Own Beeswax! Candles are unregulated by the government. There are many new people that have gotten into the business with the rage of aromatherapy candles without researching issues. A candle may be labeled “beeswax” if it contains as little as 10% beeswax!!! If it doesn’t say “100%” or “pure” beeswax on the label, it almost certainly is not. Consumers have to be careful. You may be even more surprised to learn that some of the biggest manufacturers and brands use lead in the wicks so be careful! The manufacture of candles, like the manufacture of perfume, is protected as "trade secrets" so ingredients needn't be listed in their entirety. Wicks may contain lead, metal, or zinc unless they specifically state that they are not and you trust the source.

Value. Beeswax burns brighter, hotter, cleaner, and much longer than chemical and vegetable waxes. When properly made and burned, beeswax candles are smokeless and dripless (see Burning Tips). They may seem more expensive, but measured by burn time and completeness of burn, beeswax candles are usually a better monetary value than boutique paraffin.

Beauty. Beeswax is beautiful – to smell, to touch. A carefully handcrafted beeswax candle is a wholesome thing of beauty that reminds us of our connection to the natural world and supports health, sustainable practices, and peace for all. Soy and Palm oil candles are probably a better choice to paraffin but they are not nearly as beautiful when lit and offer a cold eerie glow and don't possess the magical quality of pure beeswax. There is also not a lot of information out on soy and palm oil and remember soy is one of the most genetically modified crops.

Choose health, the greatest measure of beauty.
Choose sweetness and light. Choose pure beeswax.