“Listen to the bees and let them guide you”. Bees are such exquisite insects, and their honey can be used to purify the air through candles. When beeswax candles burn, they act as a natural air purifier. Beeswax is so important because when it is burned it creates negative ions in the air. These negative ions attach to positive ions like dust, pollen, mold, odors, and other toxins. When these ions connect, they fall to the ground and can be cleaned up with a good ol’ vacuum. The air around us, especially indoors, can affect our mood, allergies, sinuses, and behaviors so having beeswax help to naturally purify the air only helps in purifying our mood, energy, and health.
Beeswax vs Paraffin Candles
Before humans started created paraffin candles (which is what you probably have in your home now) beeswax candles were more popular. Paraffin candles are easier and cheaper to make so they have surpassed beeswax candles. Paraffin candles are made from crude oil which has been the cause of many environmental catastrophes in oil spills and climate change. When paraffin candles are burned, they create carcinogens that are highly toxic called benzene and toluene. In addition to carcinogens, the synthetic fragrance is some candle scents contain phthalates. When phthalates are released into the air, they can causes allergies or asthma and can even alter hormone levels.
The Natural Candle Option
Beeswax candles are more natural because instead of being based off crude oil, beeswax is based off of honey from 100s of flowers (it takes about 33 million visits to flowers for bees to create one pound of beeswax). It is like bringing a garden into your home. At a spiritual level one is more connected to the earth through the bees’ honey rather than crude oil. Beewax candles also burn the purest light in the wick, closest to natural sunlight, helping enhance one’s positive mood. In addition, beeswax candles are soot free, which means you can burn them knowing your walls will not get tainted.
Beeswax candles are also good for the environment. With leftover candle stubs you can use the beeswax in recipes. Some common items you can make with leftover beeswax are lip balm, petroleum jelly, all purpose skin cream, herbal salve, lip gloss, hand lotion, and moisturizing cream. Check out BeeswaxCo for recipes.
Final Thoughts
Because we need to begin teaching kids how to care for the earth, why not make a beeswax candle with your youngster to hand out to family and friends. It simple and only a few ingredients for even the youngest toddlers to create. Purchase a Beeswax Candle Making Kit and all you need in addition is scissors. Cut a sheet of beeswax in half make standard-size taper candle. Measure the wick “string” and make sure there is an additional 1” of wick at the very top. Use the scissors to cut the wick. Press the wick into the beeswax sheet. Tightly fold the beeswax sheet over the wick to secure the wick in place, then continue rolling the sheet to make a candle. “Teaching children about the natural world should be seen as one of the most important events in their lives.” Thomas Berry.
