This is a topic that you can find tons of info about on the internet. You can find some articles stating that candles are completely safe and then other articles that state you should ditch them altogether. This is when I find it’s important to “read between the lines”.

If you read my first blog article I talked about my struggles with migraines and how tossing out all of the candles in our home made a HUGE difference in my headaches.

Why would burning candles cause me to have headaches? I’ve done some research into the topic and this is what I’ve found…….

Burning candles releases toluene and benzene. Toluene is common used in paint thinners and adhesives. Without proper ventilation toluene exposure can irritate the eyes, nose, throat and skin. It can also cause HEADACHES, dizziness, confusion and anxiety. Benzene is carcinogenic and has been found to increase the risk of leukemia and other blood cancers. These are just two of the compounds released when a candle burns.

The type of candle you are burning can also make a difference. Many candles, especially cheaper ones, are made of paraffin wax. Paraffin candles are made from petroleum and are more dangerous because they have more volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in them.

Another consideration is the dye in candles. When walking down the candle aisle you can see the rainbow of color choices. The dye in candles has benzidine in it which is linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer.

Just another thing to worry about

Our world has become one big toxic soup. We are bombarded with toxins and chemicals all day long. They are in the food we eat, the liquids we drink, the air we breathe, the clothes we wear, etc. It’s something we should be aware of and make an effort to reduce whenever possible.

“Paying attention to the air quality in your home is an important part of staying in good health,” says Daniel Croft M.D., M.P.H., an assistant professor of pulmonary and critical care medicine at University of Rochester Medical Center. Everything we inhale (both good and bad) can have an effect on our whole body.

This is where it’s important to read between the lines. I browsed the articles that said candle burning was ok. They DID NOT say, burn all the candles you want because there’s zero risk. What I found in article after article was the do’s and the don’ts of burning candles. Here are some examples.

If you’re going to burn candles

• Don’t buy cheap candles, they tend to be more toxic
• Don’t blow out the candles, use a snuffer instead
• Don’t burn for “long” periods of time
• Don’t buy candles with dye in them
• Don’t buy candles made of paraffin wax
• Don’t buy scented candles
• Do make sure the room is well ventilated
• Do limit the number of candles you are burning at one time

As parents, grandparents and adults in general we have so many things to worry about. This is just ONE MORE THING to have to think about! Even the articles that said candles were okay said that the toxins inhaled from the candles were “below the threshold of concern”. Maybe it’s just me, but that is not super comforting! They can’t say there are no toxins, only that it’s a small amount. But if we’re getting a small amount of toxins everywhere we turn, don’t they add up?!?

So which ones should I choose?

My answer to that is a loud “NONE”! Do you want your children or grandchildren, your aging loved ones, your pets, etc to be breathing in these toxins? Even in small repeated doses? People with lung diseases like COPD, asthma and emphysema should be very mindful of the air quality in their homes and the places they visit. Just skip the candles and wax melts altogether! Take out that variable.

But I like the smells candles bring to my home!

There is another, completely healthy and actually beneficial alternative. Diffusing essential oils. Using a diffuser and PURE essential oils releases NONE of the chemicals mentioned above, and it actually BENEFITS our bodies!!

If you’re new to the word let me clue you in. A diffuser by definition is a device that breaks down essential oils into smaller molecules and disperses it into the air. Basically, you put a few drops of the essential oil of your choice in it, add some water and a mist come out smelling like whatever combination you’ve created. They come in all shapes, sizes, designs and colors. They can be plain or elaborate. We even have diffusers in our home shaped like cute animals to make it fun for our kids.

I pretty much run a diffuser in our living room nonstop. It is a larger one that is a combination diffuser/humidifier. I change the oils in it depending on the season, my mood, or our current health concerns. I diffuse the immune boosting blend and the respiratory blend pretty much all winter long to help keep us feeling good. I LOVE to diffuse the citrus oils because they smell so good and make me happy!

Diffusing essential oils can

• Boost the immune system
• Support the respiratory system
• Purify the air and eradicate odors
• Soothe and uplift the mood
• Promote a restful night’s sleep
• Help deal with seasonal threats
• AND SO MUCH MORE!!

But are essential oils any safer?!?

As long as you are using 100% PURE essential oils in your diffusers there are no health risks to diffusing essential oils.

I didn’t want to swap one unsafe product for another so I did a little digging. The only brand we use in our home is doTerra. After looking into the different brands and lab testing that the companies do on their products to check the purity, the choice was simple. No other brands came close. Unbeknownst to doTerra and several other brands, Roseman University did a study on the purity of different brands of essential oils and their effectiveness. The results were staggering! Let’s just say pretty much every other oil out there, even the ones labeled PURE are filled with more synthetics and fillers than actual essential oil. I can diffuse doTerra oils, put them directly on our bodies and even taken them internally without any concern that there’s anything unsafe in the bottle. They are safe for all ages and stages of life and even for out pets. I DEFINITELY can’t say the same about candles or wax melts.

I thought I’d share some of the “recipes” that I like to diffuse in our home. doTerra has so many different essential oils that you can get just about any smell you could possibly want. And each oil, along with it’s fantastic smell, has it’s own health benefits for your body!

As I said earlier, I love to diffuse the citrus oils in our house. Lemon, Wild Orange, White Grapefruit, Tangerine, Lime for example. They are all SO GOOD! The awesome part is that you can mix and match the smell! I personally like to put in a mint, like the Supermint blend or Peppermint in with one of the citrus oils. Right now in my diffuser I have the Supermint blend with Tangerine going. It’s heavenly! This combination is also great to boost the mood, give focus and clean the air. I combine On Guard (the immune boosting blend) with Breathe (the respiratory blend) for when we are feeling under the weather or wanting to avoid all of he yuck that’s going around. I diffuse Lemon, Lavender, and Peppermint when its pollen season to avoid those seasonal threats. We diffuse Lavender and Cedarwood in the bedroom diffusers for a restful night’s sleep. Each of these combos smells great but we are also getting health benefits as well! I DEFINITELY can’t say the same about candles and wax melts.

Aren’t they more expensive??

People say that essential oils are “too expensive”. As you can see in the above graphics, the cost of the oil vs the cost of the candle is much less when you compare the burning/run times. Plus I use my oils for so much more than just diffusing. Using essential oils saves me on the cost of candles, air fresheners, fabric sprays. I use those same essential oils when I have certain health concerns so it’s also saving me the cost of doctors visits and missed time from work when myself or a kid is sick. I DEFINITELY can’t say the same about candles and wax melts.

I was a long time candle junkie. I wanted all of the vanilla and fall scent candles, all of the time. I wish I had known then, what I know now. How many ER visits could I have avoided when my migraines wouldn’t subside? How many bottles of OTC headache meds could I have left on the shelf. I’m glad I finally figured it out, but I’m REALLY glad that I figured it out now that there are little people depending on me to do what’s best for them. Making good decisions doesn’t have to be hard and it doesn’t have to be expensive. It can be as simple as tossing out the candles and switching to a diffuser with PURE essential oils.

If you want to learn more ways you can make simple choices to live a healthier lifestyle, check out the rest of my blog articles and find me on Facebook at Simple and Natural Family Health. Be sure and download my FREE guide so you can learn the 7 Simple Swaps for a Toxin-Free home. You will also be added to my email list to receive upcoming weekly blog posts!

If you are ready to join me on the journey to a healthier lifestyle I offer FREE 30 minute consultations where you can ask questions and we can discuss what essential oils and products would best fit your family’s specific needs. Or you can simply get a link from me, order your products and be on your way. Easy Peasy! You can email me at kimberlywolf@simpleandnaturalfamilyhealth.com to set up your consultation or get the link for your FREE membership! I want EVERYONE to feel empowered and confident to make these simple swaps for their family and know they are making the right choice!!

Have a great week,

Kimberly