Scented candles are becoming the most common scenting item found in most homes. It has a broader range of applications in celebrations and house decorations to create diverse atmospheres, whether to create a romantic ambiance or a relaxing mood.[1]

Scented Candle

Scented candles were found in the mid-1980s after candles became unnecessary due to the advent of light bulbs. Initially, candles were made from the fat of various animals, including cows, sheep, whales, and even squirrels which smelled unpleasant.[2]

The fragrance of a scented candle is what distinguishes it. Scented candles, which were once used to give aroma, are now practically obsolete due to the introduction of light bulbs And it's the aroma that has helped scent candles expand and become a luxury, since a perfume calms us, supplement mood, or even reminds of something that remembers when smelled it. The original candles are generally opaque white or yellow long sticks, but today's scented candles are in clear glass.[3]

Furthermore, scented candles are also being turned into more commercial items. Different firms develop various experimental processes to make scented candles safer and more fragrant that will add value to the scented candles as consumer-friendly products.[4]

Etymology

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Scent

from Middle English sent (noun) and senten (verb),

from Old French sentir “to feel, perceive, smell”,

from Old French sentire "to feel, perceive, sense",

from Latin sentīre,

from Proto-Indo-European *sent- (“to feel”), and thus related to Dutch zin (“sense, meaning”), German Sinn (“sense”), Low German Sinn (“sense”), Luxembourgish Sënn (“sense, perception”), Saterland Frisian Sin (“sense”), West Frisian sin (“sense”). [5]

Candle

from Middle English candel,

from Old English and from Anglo-Norman candele,

from Latin candēla, candēre "to shine".[6]

History

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Main article: History of candle making

Egyptian Era

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Although the exact time the candle existed is unknown. Many archaeologists come to the same conclusion, estimating that the origin of the candles occurred about 5,000 years ago during the ancient Egyptian era.[1]

The candle was made from a variety of animal fats such as cow fat and sheep fat. Later, when people have a paper to use. Humans have used long rolls of paper to form candles. After that, each culture adapted the candle production by using nuts, cinnamon, or aromatic wood instead of animal fat infused into the candles. When ignited, it emits a pleasant aroma after that it becomes a "Scented Candle".[7]

 
Candle maker

Evolution of candles throughout the centuries

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As it may seem impossible to believe, candles have developed significantly from their original beginnings. The introduction of beeswax candles across Europe was one of the earliest advancements. Beeswax votives burnt cleanly and clear, without the smoky flame of formerly popular animal fat-based tallow candles. Because of the high cost of the delightful beeswax candles, they were mainly saved for church rituals, but some of the wealthy households of the period may have chosen to light them in their homes as well.

By the 13th century, candle manufacturers' companies, sometimes known as Chandlers, had sprouted up all over England and France. These unions were separated into two categories: wax candle manufacturers and tallow candle makers. Organizations that have used tallow were more closely associated with butchers and skinners of the period, and they frequently experimented in soapmaking as well. Because of the frequent demands of the church and the expensive expense of production that only the wealthy could pay, Chandlers who worked with wax candles were typically far better off than their counterparts who worked with tallow.[8]

18th century

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It wasn't until the 18th century, during the growth of industry, that chemists found a substance called paraffin, which was obtained by refining petroleum in 1850. It has the property of burning evenly, odorless, bluish-white in color, and its low cost makes it possible to produce cheap candles. As a result, candles became popular and began to be used to illuminate more and more homes around the world.[9]

The advent of paraffin wax in the 1850s occurred just before the demise of candle-making. This wax was used to make low-cost, high-quality candles, something that had previously been unheard of in the candle-making industry. The bluish-white wax burnt smoothly and had no disagreeable odor, but it had one significant flaw. The low melting point of early coal and petroleum-derived paraffin waxes was quickly overcome with the advent of stearin.[8]

Shortly thereafter, in 1879, inventor Thomas Alva Edison invented the first light bulb, which made the candle less popular but did not make it disappear from the world.[9] It wasn't until the 19th century that candles became popular again, returning in the form of scented candles. Scented candles are back in popularity because of their aesthetic qualities. Shoppers can purchase scented candles by choosing from a variety of shapes, scents, and colors. And that makes scented candles a part of today's home decor.[4]


19th century - Present

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Many of the important advancements that led to the construction of candles as we know them now occurred in the 19th century. Stearin wax was created as a result of the work of France chemists, Michele Chevreul and Joseph-Louis Gay-Lussac. Candles manufactured from this wax are still widely used in Europe. Candle manufacturing reached a widespread industry after the invention of Joseph Morgan's candle mold maker in 1834. Because Morgan's machine could produce 1,500 candles each hour, candles were a far more affordable choice for the general public. Around this period, candle producers began braiding their wicks instead of twisting them, as they had previously done.[8]

The scented candle industry has grown and developed more and more forms of production. The candle has been modified and redesigned in both shape and packaging and has added fragrance to the scented candles with various scents that make scented candles like a home fragrance agent. One of the famous candle brands Diptyque is considered one of the first candle brands to start producing scented candles in 1963. By Christiane Gautrot, Desmond Knox-Leet and Yves Coueslant created the first three scented candles: Aubépine, Cannelle and Thé. Widely popular in Paris.[9]

All of the technological breakthroughs made throughout the 19th century were unable to prevent the industry's rapid downfall after the development of the light bulb. Since then, candles have become more of a decorative object than a necessity in the home.

Candles witnessed a comeback in popularity in the 1990s, prompting the development of new varieties of candle waxes, along with soybean wax that is smoother and longer burning than paraffin.[8]

Components

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Schematic candle

Wax is a term that covers materials that can be formed by many things such as minerals, animals, or vegetables. The best wax for making scented candles is paraffin wax, soy wax, beeswax.[3]

 
Paraffin wax

Paraffin wax

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Paraffin wax is a versatile material because of its different boiling points and thus it is popular today. Most commercial candles are made from paraffin wax. However, Paraffin Wax is a material that is not universally accepted because it is a material derived from petroleum refining processes. That makes people who love the environment dislike paraffin wax.[10]

Soy wax

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Soy wax is a new type of wax that was invented in 1990 as a substitute for paraffin wax made from petroleum distillation. Soy wax is naturally derived but that makes Soy wax more expensive than paraffin wax. Many soy waxes are made with 100% soybean oil, but some may be blended with other oils such as coconut oil. But if it contains more than 51% soybean oil, it is still considered soy wax.[10]

Beeswax

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Beeswax is the oldest wax, some say it is the most suitable wax to make candles. Beeswax occurs naturally in the process of honey, expelling Beeswax in the form of "combs" to incubate their larvae. And because Beeswax has honey in it, it has a natural scent, but the scent may vary depending on the type of flower it is eaten.[10]

Wick

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The most popular wicks are made of cotton, which is formed by inorganic compounds. The thin and long fibers made from cotton should be of a uniform structure, not large or small in order to achieve the most effective ignition results. It's also important to position the wick in the middle so that when igniting it, it can dissipate heat efficiently. (Wolfgang Weidenfeld, 1983) [3][11]

Essential oils

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Essential oils are plant extracts or aromatic chemicals. When choosing scented candles, be sure to look carefully at the product label before purchasing, as they may be deceived by the product, leading to the belief that are purchasing a healthy scented candle. They may actually be scented candles with synthetic scents and a small blend of essential oils.[12] Essential oils are extracted from trees, shrubs, and flowers around the world. Candlemakers may dilute essential oils or mix them with synthetic fragrances to reduce costs. Scented essential oils synthesize many chemicals in synthetic fragrances, causing many immediate and long-term health hazards. Therefore, it is important to choose candles with the right scent of essential oils to ensure that are getting the most out of them.[3]

Containers

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The qualities that should be in the container of scented candles are that they do not catch fire, do not leak, and do not break.

Glassware
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It is a good material because it can withstand heat and hold wax well, but make sure that the glassware won't crack because if it cracks it could be a disaster. Therefore, do not choose glassware that is too thin. If choosing glassware, be careful with the number of candle wicks inserted, as too much can cause the glassware to overheat and cause cracks. The wick should be placed in the center of the container so that one side of the container is not hot as this could break the glassware.[13]

Ceramics
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It is a good material that can be used as a container for scented candles, but before use, make sure that the container used is not porous (able to absorb liquid). And if used, it must be treated with care to prevent the ceramics that are used later to become porous because it may cause problems later.[13]

Metal
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As with other containers, the containers brought should not have leaks, but metal is a material that may have various welds that may cause leaks, so check carefully before use. Maybe check by adding water to check if water leaks out or not.[13]

From the containers above, it can be seen that no one is 100% safe, so every time light a scented candle should not be careless and do not light a scented candle unattended.

Characteristics

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Candles have unique properties such as light, temperature, scent, and mood. Scented candles contain similar properties as well, and the scent is what stands out characterizes scented candles.[14]

Light

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A modern candle normally burns at a steady pace of about 0.1 g/min, generating heat at around 80 W, according to measurements of a taper-type paraffin wax candle.[15] The light output is around 13 lumens, with a luminous efficacy of 0.16 lumens per watt (source luminous efficacy)  over a hundred times lower than an incandescent light bulb.

Scent

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The scent is the hallmark of scented candles that come from two different ways: naturally occurring scents such as Beeswax, or by incorporating essential oils into a scented candle. Essential oils, such as lavender, have medicinal benefits and may help relieve stress. And there are many other scents that can help alleviate symptoms. Call the use of scented candles to relieve symptoms known as aromatherapy.[16]

Many people do not know that there is a correct way to light a scented candle. This will allow us not to waste the fragrance or wax in vain.


1. Cut the wick every time before starting to light the scented candle.

Have to cut off the wick every time before lighting a scented candle. This allows for a cleaner and more luminous burn and also prevents the formation of black soot that can occur if the wick is too long. Always cut the wick to about 1/8 to 1/4 inch in length before lighting a scented candle.

2. Let the wax melt all the way across.

When starting to light a scented candle, do not extinguish the candle until the candle's face has completely melted, to prevent the candle from forming a hole deep in the middle. If wait until the candle's face is completely melted before extinguishing the candle, it will make the candle's face smooth every time after the candle is extinguished.

3. Do not light a candle for more than 4 hours.

If the candle is lit for more than 4 hours, it will cause the carbon to settle on the wick and render the wick ineffective. Carbonized wicks release soot into the surrounding atmosphere.

4. Buy a scented candle with multiple wicks.

Multiple wicks will help to melt the candle faster and also produce a more fragrant smell because having multiple wicks will heat up better than a single wick. Do not buy scented candles with a diameter greater than 5-6 cm and have only one wick because the candle's face won't burn in time for 4 hours and the candle will have a deep hole in the center or cause soot from burning the scented candle for too long

5. Do not place the candle near the wind.

Placing the candle near the wind will not stabilize the candle's flame and may stain the packaging. It may also cause tunneling in the candle or other problems.

6. Extinguish the candle

Many people may extinguish the candle by blowing air, and many people will notice that it has a lot of smoke and also has an unpleasant smell because after blow the candle, the wick still has a little more of the burnt remains, which produces soot and an unpleasant odor. A solution to this problem is to hold the wick with tweezers and immerse the wick in the melted wax. Or another way is to use the lid of the package to close it to deplete the oxygen inside the package and the fire will go out by itself. The lid of the package not only helps to extinguish the fire but also helps to keep the scent of the candle from evaporating.[17]

Benefits

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Researchers have now no longer absolutely investigated the capability fitness blessings of vital oil candles. However, positive vital oils may also assist relieve emotions of stress. Inhaling lavender essential oil helps alleviate anxiety, according to 2019 research.[16]

Early proof indicates that different important oils may ease stress, including:

  • Clary sage: A study in postmenopausal women found that cortisol is one of the hormones concerned with withinside the body's reaction to stress, and clary sage facilitates in decreasing cortisol levels.[16][18]
  • Bergamot: Another study in females found that bergamot decreased bad emotions, fatigue, and salivary cortisol levels.[16][19]
  • Ylang-ylang: A 2014 pilot take a look observed that folks that inhaled ylang-ylang for 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months reported better self-esteem than the ones the usage a placebo.[16]

The calming scent helps to relax

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14 calming scents to help unwind and destress.

  1. Rosemary
  2. Lavender
  3. Jasmine
  4. Vanilla
  5. Sea Breeze
  6. Clary Sage
  7. Ylang Ylang
  8. Lemon
  9. Cinnamon
  10. Sweet Marjoram
  11. Peppermint
  12. Rose and Geranium
  13. Vetiver
  14. Sweet Basil.

Essential oils are included in scented candles, and some of them may aid with tension and anxiety. Nevertheless, it's uncertain if the oils in candles have medicinal value or if the relaxing effects of candles are purely psychological. Certain essential oils and other candle components may cause allergies. If a person has any negative effects from using a scented candle, they should avoid using it immediately.[16]

Facts about scented candles

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In the 1970s, many candle manufacturers stopped using Lead in their products due to safety concerns. The fumes from the candles could cause cancer and poisoning.

In 2003, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the sale and manufacture of lead-based candles. They also banned the import of these products from other countries.[20]

Some of the chemical compounds that form in the soot when lighting candles are detrimental to both living things and the environment. As sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide is a chemical that can cause acid rain.[1]


Is wax made of toxic chemicals?

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According to 2009 research, burning paraffin wax releases potentially hazardous compounds such as toluene.

"They have offered no evidence for examination, and their conclusions are based on unfounded allegations," according to a statement issued by the European Candle Association. No credible scientific investigation has yet demonstrated that any candle wax, including paraffin, is detrimental to human health."

A European Candle Association-funded study in 2007 looked for 300 harmful chemicals in each major kind of wax.

The researchers determined that the number of toxins produced by each type of candle was much below what would cause human health issues.[21]

Is candle smoke toxic?

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Breathing in too much smoke of any kind may be harmful to health.

Soot is produced when paraffin candles are burned. It is assumed that the combustion products produced by these candles are comparable to those produced by a diesel engine.

To reduce the quantity of smoke breathed in, burn the candles in a well-ventilated area and keep them away from drafts, which can increase the amount of smoke they emit.[21]

Do candles release volatile organic compounds?

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When candles are burned, they emit volatile organic chemicals and particulate particles into the air. Particulate matter is a combination of very minute liquid droplets and particles that can enter the lungs. Long-term exposure to particulate matter has been related to heart and lung disorders.

At room temperature, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are carbon compounds that quickly convert into gas. Some VOCs are naturally presindustrialent in flowers and contribute to their lovely perfume. Other VOCs, such as formaldehyde and benzene, have the potential to cause cancer.

In our daily activities, we are exposed to particulate matter and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These VOCs can be found in automobile exhaust, industry pollution, and anything else that emits them.[21]

A 2014 research that looked at the quantity of particulate matter generated by burning candles discovered that the amount released is insufficient to cause health concerns in people.

Are scented candles harmful?

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Candlemakers could dilute essential oils or combine them with artificial fragrances to cut back costs. Scented essential oils synthesize several chemicals in synthetic fragrances, inflicting many immediate and semipermanent health hazards. Therefore, it's necessary to settle on candles with the proper scent of essential oils to make sure that have a tendency to are becoming the foremost out of them.[3]

 
Sneeze

Burning scented candles can cause the emission of volatile organic chemicals such as formaldehyde, which may raise the risk of cancer. Even while scented candles emit these substances, it is unclear if they have any effect on health. Scented candles might also cause allergic reactions.[21]

Among the symptoms are:


Human health problems associated with scented candles are extremely low. According to research, the levels of chemical substances emitted by scented candles are too low to cause health problems.[21] Even the packaging material is designed to be heat resistant, but it can break, so need to make sure to place the candles on a heat resistant surface and away from flammable materials. and do not light a scented candle while no one is around.[20]

Accessories

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Candle warmer

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Candle warmers are designed to melt candles by heating them instead of lighting them. This candle warmer can solve many problems of lighting candles with fire. For example, the problem of black soot is caused by burning a wick. Using a candle warmer will prevent us from inhaling soot. And there are many other advantages.
  • Clear aroma and spread throughout the room better than lighting
  • The candle face is smooth, equal, no tunnel problems
  • Helps to preserve the fragrance Extend the life of scented candles longer use
  • No need to wait to cut the burning wick after use.
  • No worries about fire [22]


Candle holders

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Main article: Candlestick and เชิงเทียน

It is used to set up one or more candles for lighting purposes to perform a ritual. Before electricity, candleholders were used for setting candles in the bedroom. The candle holders used were shorter than the common ones and had a wide tray to hold the candle drippings so they wouldn't drip on the furniture. Nowadays, candle holders are used to decorating the house more and more, candle holder manufacturers, therefore, produce candle holder designs in new ways to fit into modern home decorations.

Candle snuffers

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Main article: Candle snuffer

Candle snuffers are devices used to extinguish fires. It will be a long stick for us to hold and on the other side will have a cup-shaped metal hanging on it. How to use it is to put a metal cup over the wick that is fired on. After leaving it for a while, the amount of oxygen in the cup will be exhausted and the fire will go by itself.

Wick Trimmer

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The wick trimmer is used to cut a burnt black wick so that the next ignition is easy to ignite and does not produce black soot.





References

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  1. ^ a b S., Bell. "A BRIEF HISTORY OF SCENTED CANDLES". lucyking. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ K., Andrews. "A Short History of Scented Candles". Ashleigh Burwood. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ a b c d e A., Yousefi. Therapy Candle for illnesses. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alireza-Yousefi-2/publication/267639341_Therapy_Candle_for_illnesses/links/5456cd690cf2bccc490f2cea/Therapy-Candle-for-illnesses.pdf: researchgate. pp. 3–5. {{cite book}}: External link in |location= (help)CS1 maint: location (link)
  4. ^ a b K., Hill. "A brief history of scented candles". Kate Hill Flowers. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ "Scent", Wiktionary
  6. ^ "Candle", The Free Dictionary
  7. ^ "ประวัติน่ารู้ของ "เทียนหอม" และวิธีทำใช้เองที่บ้านแบบง่ายๆ". Thairath. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ a b c d "History of Candles and Candle Traditions". Real Soy Candles.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ a b c "เปิดประวัติความเป็นมาของเทียนหอม". VOGUE Beauty.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ a b c "How to Choose the Best Wax to Make Candles". The Spruce Crafts. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ H., Ziolkowsky GmbH (1983). Wolfgang Weidenfeld. Verlag für chemische Industrie.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  12. ^ Meta Studies. USA: AnitaPublished. 2012.
  13. ^ a b c "Picking Your Perfect DIY Candle Container". Assembly PDX. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ^ "Candle", Wikipedia, 2021-10-11
  15. ^ E., Scott. "Characterization of Candle Flames". Journal of Fire Protection Engineering. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. ^ a b c d e f V., Zambon (2020-09-23). "3 aromatherapy candles for stress relief". Medicalnewstoday. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ^ "How to burn a candle correctly". Instinks. Retrieved 2021-11-02.
  18. ^ Lee, Kyung-Bok; Cho, Eun; Kang, Young-Sook (2014). "Changes in 5-hydroxytryptamine and Cortisol Plasma Levels in Menopausal Women After Inhalation of Clary Sage Oil". Phytotherapy Research. 28 (11): 1599–1605. doi:10.1002/ptr.5163. ISSN 1099-1573.
  19. ^ Watanabe, Eri; Kuchta, Kenny; Kimura, Mari; Rauwald, Hans Wilhelm; Kamei, Tsutomu; Imanishi, Jiro (2015). "Effects of Bergamot (Citrus bergamia (Risso) Wright & Arn.) Essential Oil Aromatherapy on Mood States, Parasympathetic Nervous System Activity, and Salivary Cortisol Levels in 41 Healthy Females". Complementary Medicine Research. 22 (1): 43–49. doi:10.1159/000380989. ISSN 2504-2092. PMID 25824404.
  20. ^ a b "Don't Burn Down the House! Choose Safe Candle Containers". The Spruce Crafts. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ^ a b c d e D., Yetman. "Is Burning Candles Safe or Bad for Your Health?". Healthline. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. ^ Moodandmelt (2020-10-23). "Candle Warmer คืออะไร ดียังไง? สายเทียนหอมห้ามพลาด !". mood and melt (in Thai).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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