The art of aromatherapy uses pure essential oils. Aromatherapy is a holistic therapy which can be used to promote, physical, mental and spiritual health equilibrium. Hippocrates, the Father of medicine, claimed that the way to health is to have an aromatic bath and a photographed massage everyday
The concept of top note, middle note and base note as used in the aromatherapy and fragrance world is one of interest. Essential oils which are used in both fragrances and aromatherapy are obtained by distillation or expression.
During the process of distillation only the extremely small volatile molecules are able to evaporate. . Essential oils which contain a high proportion of the smallest (most volatile) of these molecules are referred to as top notes. Those which are mostly composed of the heaviest (least volatile) molecules are known as base notes. Essential oils which are between are called middle notes
Top note oils are the most volatile – the aroma disappears within 24 hours. Examples are basil, grapefruit, lemon, lime and eucalyptus. They tend to be stimulating and uplifting.
Middle note oils have an aroma which lasts for two to three days. Examples are chamomile, geranium and lavender. They are generally balancing and primarily affect the general metabolism and the systems of the body such as digestion and menstruation.
Base note oils are the least volatile – the aroma will last at least one week. Examples are frankincense, myrrh, neroli, patchouli and vetivert. They have a relaxing and sedative quality. Inhaling essential oils for example through your candle is another way of benefitting from the therapeutic effects of essential oils.
The perfect carrier for the essential oil are candles based on soy wax, using candles based on paraffin based is a contradiction in terms as paraffin based candles produce toxins and other unpleasant side effects which cancels out the therapeutic effects of essential oils.
Soy wax candles on the other hand do not produce toxins and are clean burning that leaving a clean air and you can benefit from the therapeutic effects of the essential oils.
The best aromatherapy candles are based on pure essential oils, high quality soy candles and cotton wicks.