
Greener Holiday Candles
Whether you are lighting a menorah or lighting a candle for a Yule celebration, chances are good that at least one candle will be employed in your holiday rites this December. Since candles are such an intrinsic part of the holidays, one cannot suggest that they should be avoided – to do so in the case of Hanukah has drawn ire. However, you can make sure that you are using a more eco-friendly candle than the traditional ones that you will find in stores.
Traditional candles contain paraffin, which is a petroleum product. In addition, pthlalates are often used to scent candles. Pthlalates have been linked to cancer, hormone disruption, kidney, and liver damage. Breathing them is apparently not very good for asthma sufferers either.
So what to look for? Go for beeswax candles or soy wax candles that have been scented with natural essential oils. These can be purchased from your local health foods store or from an online shop like the Eco Candle company.
Eco Candle’s “Mandle” deserves special attention – gone are the days that your friends consider you worthy of wearing a tutu if you light a scented candle. Now, with the Mandle, you can not only be extremely manly if you own scented candles but earth-friendly at the same time!
Beeswax candles have been around for centuries and are well known for being all natural, dripless, soot free and very long burning. Recently, they have found that beeswax candles also are hypoallergenic and release negative ions (natural air purifiers). All of which add to their value and cost.
Soy wax candles, on the other hand, are fairly new to the market and advertised as natural, long burning and less expensive to beeswax. One of the questions to ask yourself before purchasing soy wax candles is what pesticides have been applied to the crop of soy beans. Since they are new to the market, how safe is it to inhale soy wax? It has taken decades for warnings to appear about the toxicity of paraffin candles and their link to lung problems since they are made from petroleum sludge.
Beeswax is safe, healthy and truly all natural!
Beeswax candles are not only better for you, they are better for your home and the environment. check out http://www.sunshinebay.com