Stories about beeswax will range from finding remnants of the candles in the tombs of ancient Egyptians to how they can improve your mood to use of it by Neolithic peoples over 7,000 years ago. Beeswax candles were candles of the nobility thousands of years ago. In churches, beeswax candles were the only type permitted.
Beeswax makes excellent candles as can be proven by history. In today’s candle making process, using beeswax offers one of the most natural raw materials for candles. Benefits of burning beeswax candles range from positive environmental impacts to pluses for our personal health and well-being.
While candles are no longer needed as a source of light, they are often chosen to add brightness and cheer to our homes. Continue reading for information on beeswax and beeswax candles.
How Do You Add Scent to Beeswax Candles?
What is Beeswax?
Beeswax is a natural result of the production of honey. Honeycombs, located in beehives, are formed from beeswax. Beeswax is a liquid emitted from the worker bee’s abdomen. Worker bees have eight glands that produce wax. When the liquid meets the air, it becomes solid. The bees can soften and manipulate the wax to the shape they need. Honeybees will shape the walls and caps of the honeycomb as needed.
Initially beeswax is clear. However, as the bees work to form the cells of the honeycomb, their chewing of the scales, or clear pieces of wax, will gradually change the color of the wax. This is because of the bees’ contact with pollen and nectar. The color variations result from the different flowers and other plants the bees have fed on.
Bees are not negatively affected in the creation or harvesting of beeswax. Though, it does require almost eight and a half pounds of honey to generate one pound of beeswax. Additionally, bees make nearly thirty-three million outings to flowers and plants to produce one pound of honey.
What are the Environmental Benefits of Beeswax Candles?
The role of bees in the ecosystem is to pollinate. Plants, trees, and bushes need pollinators to create seeds and fruits. Bees will travel for miles seeking plants to pollinate. As a key part of the environment, bees’ assistance in nurturing plants and trees is vital for our food production. The plants they help cultivate provide shelter and function as food sources for other insects, birds, and animals.
Using beeswax in candles supports beekeepers. Beeswax is a natural result of bee production. Chemicals are not used in the support of beehives; this makes beeswax an organic part of nature. Beeswax is a renewable resource. Purchasing this wax helps fund the cost of raising bees. Other natural candle wax can have a negative impact on the environment as part of its production. Beeswax does not result in deforestation or proliferation of the use of chemicals and pesticides to encourage production.
Attention to detail is required when purchasing your beeswax. Candles or candle making wax with fifty-one percent beeswax can be labeled as beeswax. Beeswax does tend to be more expensive than other waxes, so if the price seems too good to be true, check the details in the label.
What are the Health Benefits of Beeswax Candles?
With their natural connection to the earth and its survival, beeswax candles also have health benefits for us. One hundred percent natural beeswax candles have the lowest level of toxicity of any candle wax. Toxins are a broad group of poisonous substances. Breathing in or ingesting toxins can cause negative health issues for people.
Cleaner Burning
Since beeswax is all natural, when the candles are lit, they do not emit toxins into the air. Pure beeswax candles, while burning discharge negative ions. The negative ions attach to positive ions. This adds weight to the particles, which causes them to fall from the air. Dust, pet dander, and other unpleasant particles in the air have positive ions. By neutralizing the positive ions with negative ions from the beeswax candles, the air can become cleaner.
People with allergies, asthma, and/or hay fever will especially feel the benefit of an increase of negative ions. Negative ions, released from beeswax candles, are known to help improve people’s moods and reduce stress.
Additionally, a clean burning beeswax candle does not create soot. Soot is the black smoky residue you see on some candles and/or their containers. The black grime is the result of burning carbon-based wax candles. Inhaling soot, which contains toxins, can be harmful to your health. Beeswax candles do not contain any carbon.
With a high melting point and a denser wax, beeswax candles are naturally dripless. The high melting point slows down the softening of the wax. Keeping your wicks trimmed and following proper methods of lighting your wicks will add to this safety feature of beeswax candles. Dripless candles reduce the risk of burns and molten wax reaching your furniture and causing problems. Another plus, to offset their cost, dripless candles produce less waste.
Ambiance Creators
Naturally scented, beeswax candles release a gentle, yet sweet, honey aroma when lit. Depending upon where the bees pollinated, you will be able to detect strains of different flowers in your rooms. However, if you choose to add other scents, the natural fragrance of beeswax will function as a complementary smell bringing out the best in other fragrances.
All candles will provide a feeling of relaxation. The process of lighting and smelling your candles lessens the stressors of the day. Beeswax candles have an added feature with the innate and deep connection to the environment. The earthiness of the beeswax develops another layer of calmness.
Beeswax Candle Flames
With a high melting point, close to 150 degrees Fahrenheit, light from a beeswax candle’s flame radiates like the sunlight. Flames from beeswax candles form a white light, which is on the same color spectrum as natural sunlight. Since the light is nearest sunlight of other candles, it is less stressful on our eyes.
The high melting point combined with dense wax creates a slower and more efficient burning process, which lengthens the lifespan of beeswax candles. While the initial cost of the candles is more than those that can easily be mass-produced, the slow burning process can offset that cost.
Over time, in one hundred percent pure beeswax candles, the candle will bloom. This aging process of the beeswax candle appears as a white coating on the candle. When blooms are allowed to fully develop, they add a rich look to your candle. This can translate into glittering light-like crystals. Beeswax candles illuminate your rooms with the purest light available from candles.
Candle Safety
Regardless of the type of candle you burn, always follow safety precautions. Trim your candles’ wicks, so your flame burns evenly. Lit candles can never be left unattended. Before lighting a candle, be sure it is not near flammable objects. Make sure curtains or other materials will not waft over the candle’s flame. Locate your candles and their lighters in places that children and pets cannot reach.
Can I Mix Soy and Beeswax for Candles?
Related Questions
What is tallow wax?
Tallow wax is produced from the fat of animals. For thousands of years, this rendered fat was used to make candles. Creating inexpensive candles, some home butchers will still produce tallow wax as they seek to use all parts of the animal. Tallow can also be purchased from a butcher.
What is spermaceti?
Spermaceti is from the head of two species of whales. Sperm and bottlenose whales create this oily substance, which coalesces into wax. During the height of the whaling industry, spermaceti was often utilized in producing candles. These candles did not melt during the heat of the summer, creating a more effective candle.
What is paraffin wax?
Paraffin wax is extracted from coal and oil shales. The process was first realized by James Young in the 1950s. This discovery led to the mass production of paraffin candles. They burned well and were less costly than waxes used before paraffin.
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Meet Shawn Chun: Entrepreneur and Candle Business Fan.
I’m a happy individual who happens to be an entrepreneur. I have owned several types of businesses in my life from a coffee shop to an import and export business to an online review business plus a few more and now I create online candle business resources for those interested in starting new ventures. It’s demanding work but I love it. I do it for those passionate about their business and their goals. That’s why when I meet a candle business owner at a craft fair, farmers market, retail location or anywhere else I see myself. I know how hard the struggle is to obtain and retain clients, finding good employees all while trying to stay competitive. That’s why I created Candle Business Boss: I want to help candle business owners like you build a thriving business that brings you endless joy and supports your ideal lifestyle.
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