Many people have a love for burning candles. They make your house smell nice and they set a cozy ambiance. But what if I told you that love for burning candles could actually be harming your body? The toxins in candles are not a popular topic talked about. It’s not so fun when you find out something you love could actually be harming yours and family’s health. Find out more about the dangers of burning candles as well as what to do instead!
This post is all about the toxins in candles.
Why are candles so bad?
Candles are known to release VOCs (volatile organic compounds) which are gases that are released into the air. These emissions are toxic and known to be harmful to our health. They can release chemicals such as formaldehyde and benzine which are known carcinogens. Candles release VOCs BEFORE and during burning.
Another reason candles are dangerous to burn is because of the synthetic fragrance and dyes. Fragrance is an umbrella term which can include thousands of toxic chemicals that don’t have to be listed on the label. Here is more information on the dangers of fragrance. The chemicals and toxins from the fragrance being emitted into the air are going straight to yours and your families’ lungs. One hour of burning a candle inside your home is equivalent to smoking a cigarette for your lungs. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want my baby or myself breathing these toxins in. As Americans we’ve come to accept burning candles with the windows closed tight for hours on end as normal. When in reality it is a dangerous habit.
Candles also emit soot which can contain zinc, tin and lead. All of these chemicals landing on the surfaces in your home is not good. These chemicals can seep into your fabrics and floors. Overall, candles impact the air quality in our homes and could have an impact on our health.
What to do Instead
So, what should we do instead of burning candles? Diffuse! Diffusing essential oils has so many benefits. When essential oils are diffused, we breathe in the oils. This sends messages to our brain which helps our bodies support emotions, respiratory support, mental support, or helps our bodies rest and relax. This all depends on what oils or combination of oils are being diffused. Research shows that diffusing certain oils might reduce bacteria, mold and unpleasant odors from the air, relax the body, improve focus, digestive function and hormonal balance and it can relieve head discomfort or tension. Can burning a candle do all that?
As you can see there are so many negatives associated with burning candles and many more benefits to use essential oils. Young Living essential oils are the only oils I use and trust to help benefit my body in all of these ways. Other companies may add synthetic fillers to their oils which takes away from the quality of the oils. Young Living’s oils are 100% therapeutic grade, so I know I when I am diffusing these oils, I am breathing in pure plant juice!
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