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Beeswax has been of great value since ancient times due to its unique and healing properties. From this substance, candles were created for various purposes – ritual, decorative, medical and, of course, for household purposes. Today everything has become much easier. There are a huge number of alternatives to replace the candle. But natural beeswax candles are still in great demand because of their healing properties, pleasant appearance and fabulous honey aroma.
Benefits of natural beeswax candles
Natural candles made from beeswax have many advantages over perfumed alternatives. They are beneficial to human health and give off a honey-floral aroma when burned.
A natural wax candle burns longer than usual and burns completely without residue and soot formation. During its melting, about 50 different substances and ethereal compounds are released into the air, which are inhaled directly into the lungs. It is very beneficial for the human respiratory system.
In addition, beeswax contains propolis, which is also released during combustion. It is a natural antiseptic and well cleans the air from pathogens.
A considerable amount of essential oils in such a candle helps to normalize and improve the condition of the body, and also helps to uplift and calm down.
Another positive property of natural candles is the purification of air from polluted impurities and dust. Purification is carried out due to the fact that during combustion, wax candles emit negative particles into the atmosphere, which, when in contact with positively charged dust particles, completely neutralize them. This air purification has been found to help alleviate the symptoms of an allergic reaction and prevent the occurrence of unpleasant consequences.
What are beeswax candles good for?
Products made from natural beeswax are often used in folk medicine to prevent various diseases and restore health. They are used for aromatherapy, which allows you to remove toxins from the body and activate the work of all internal organs.
Beeswax is used to make various medical products, such as ear candles used to remove ear plugs. As a rule, only an experienced doctor performs such a procedure, because the desired effect can only be achieved by lighting a candle directly inserted into the ear opening. It heats up and releases essential oils that help remove earwax. In addition, such products can eliminate the inflammatory processes of the ear cavity.
In addition, they are used as antiseptics for colds. Their burning helps eliminate headaches and insomnia.
How to make DIY beeswax candles
Making candles is quite an exciting activity that helps to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. You can independently make a wax product for yourself or as a gift.
As a rule, real beeswax can only be purchased from beekeepers. They will help you choose the most suitable product depending on the season and the amount of pollen content.
Having chosen good raw materials, you can begin the creation process.
You can make a bee wax candle with your own hands by resorting to one of the following methods:
- foundation twisting;
- dipping the wick in hot wax;
- casting.
For the manufacturing process by twisting, ready-made wax sheets are used, broken into hexagonal faces – they are called foundations. Everyone chooses for himself the appropriate method of making candles from beeswax.
It is very easy to create a candle from twisted wax on your own, you just need to purchase a ready-made wax sheet (today you can even find colored sheets in specialized stores), twine for the wick (cotton, silk or ready-made), scissors and a special paraffin tablet for soaking the twine in molten paraffin . It is important to ensure the quality of the materials.
The process is quite simple. First, take a sheet of foundation of the desired size and measure and cut the twine along its length. Then dip the cut wick in the melted tablet so that it is completely saturated with paraffin. This is required for better combustion. The wick soaked in paraffin is laid along the length of the honeycomb layer, and they begin to twist. As a rule, under the warmth of the hands, the wax sheet twists well and tightly, taking the desired shape.
Making a candle by dipping into melted wax is also a simple but time-consuming process. It involves repeated immersion of the wick in wax heated in a water bath. Dip the wick until the thickness of the wax layer is the desired diameter.
Casting candles with wax is the most common way to create not only a useful, but also a very beautiful product.
This option differs from the previous two in that it allows you to create a product of any shape. At the same time, it is also simple to perform.
To cast a product, you must have:
- raw materials (natural beeswax);
- silicone mold (you can use others, the main thing is to follow all the requirements in order to remove the finished candle without damaging its integrity);
- wick (you can use cotton or silk lace, as well as purchase a ready-made one).
The casting process begins with heating the wax in a water bath to a liquid state. While the candle wax is melting, you need to set the wick in the center of the mold. This is done by pinching the wick between the mold halves. Be sure to leave about 3 cm of the wick outside.
Melted wax is poured into the prepared mold. Leave until completely solidified. The finished candle is carefully removed from the mold.
How to use natural wax candles
The use of candles made of natural wax is practically no different from conventional perfumes. They are also set on fire by bringing a source of fire to the wick. The combustion process itself is completely identical. The wick slowly burns, gradually melting the wax around it.
To ensure complete safety when using such candles, a number of rules are required:
- place the candle on a stable, non-combustible surface;
- do not place near curtains, chintz curtains and other flammable objects and products;
- do not leave a lit candle unattended and near children.
So you can get joy and health benefits, while protecting yourself from trouble. Proper use of the product is the key to success and safety.
Противопоказания
Despite all the positive qualities of beeswax, candles made from it also have contraindications, for example, an allergic reaction to bee products.
Allergy to honey, as well as to its components, can be the main reason for not using these products. And in order to eliminate the risk of a sudden allergic reaction, if a natural wax candle has already been purchased, it is better to be examined by an allergist.
Terms and conditions of storage
A candle made of high-quality and high-grade beeswax can be stored for about 4 years. However, no special conditions are required for this. As a rule, after this period, such a product can still be used, but it will no longer have a healing effect, since all the beneficial properties of the wax will be lost.
Conclusion
Beeswax candles are a unique product that can be purchased at a specialty store or made by yourself. This item combines a number of useful substances. They perform many functions from the simplest – lighting, to healing as a prevention of many diseases.
