Eucalyptus candles are scented candles. Scented candles are candles used mainly for their aroma properties. They are otherwise known as aroma candles. These candles are used to change the ambience of the place where they are burned. They are also used for their aroma-therapeutic properties. The scent of these candles may be fruity, flowery, woody, spicy or minty like in eucalyptus candles. When these candles are burned they leave the room in which they are burned tranquil and cozy. Scented candles can also be used for medicinal benefits, as the essential oils in which some of them are made from are naturally medicinal. Scented candles are best made from soy wax in order to maximize their benefits.
Eucalyptus candles, like many other scented candles, give the room in which they are burned in a warm and inviting scent. They are also highly medicinal as well as bug repellant. Eucalyptus scented candles are made from eucalyptus oil which has a purifying scent that refreshes and cleanses the air. Distilled from the leaves of the Eucalyptus tree, eucalyptus oil has tons of benefits which are mostly medicinal.
Eucalyptus oil is used as a perfume, an antiseptic and also as a flavoring. The leaf from which eucalyptus oil is obtained contains tannins which are anti-inflammatory in nature. It also contains flavonoids which are antioxidants. Also, the major component of eucalyptus oil, 1,8-cineole, is antibacterial in nature. Another compound present in eucalyptus oil is the beta-caryophyllene which inhibits the growth of viruses including Herpes simplex viruses, HSV 1 and 2, and mumps viruses (MV), it is thus antiviral. Another important property of the eucalyptus oil is that it is antifungal. 
WHAT ARE EUCALYPTUS CANDLES GOOD FOR?
Due to the high antimicrobial (i.e. antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral) activity of the compounds present in eucalyptus oil used in making eucalyptus candles, eucalyptus candles have so many good uses. Below are some of the good uses of eucalyptus candles through aromatherapy
- For asthmatic relief and other respiratory relief
Inhaling eucalyptus candles is a great way of providing relief from asthma. It helps in opening up the breathing airways and provides relief from breathlessness. Apart from asthma, eucalyptus serves as a relief from many other respiratory problems, most especially those caused by a cold. It is very advisable to burn eucalyptus candles during the cold and flu period to avoid the cold-related problems associated with this season.
Eucalyptus oils also have the ability to treat respiratory ailments such as cough, sinusitis, pharyngitis, and bronchitis.
- For decongesting the nose
Burning eucalyptus candles during the winter and cold season is very useful. Eucalyptus candles, when inhaled, reduce the mucous membrane in the nose and thus allows for better breathing. Also, when the nose is swollen due to cold, inhalation of a burning eucalyptus candle can help lower the blood pressure in the nose, and then open the blockages in the nose and aid better breathing.
- Relief from allergy
Allergies can be relieved when scented candles are inhaled. These allergies may be seasonal. By breathing in eucalyptus oil one can have an instant relief from those allergies. It may even treat them completely. Inhaling eucalyptus triggers allergies in some people, although this is very rare.
- For pain relief
Eucalyptus oils used in making eucalyptus candles have analgesic properties. They serve as pain reliefs especially for people going through rheumatic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. They are great alternatives to medicine for the relief of pains. Burning Eucalyptus candles also help relieve headaches, especially those associated with sinus congestion.
- As a mosquito repellant
Scented candles made from a blend of eucalyptus and lemon is a good mosquito repellent. This is in addition to the inviting aroma of this combination. Using eucalyptus candles as mosquito repellant is much better than buying chemical mosquito repellents that are full of harsh chemicals which on the long run may be injurious to the health. It can also be used to keep other bugs away such as ticks and mites.
Other uses of eucalyptus oil which may not be provided directly by inhaling eucalyptus candles include:
- For reduction of dental plaque
- For improving gingivitis
- It eases joint pain
- Eucalyptus oil is used as a breath freshener
- For improving bad breath
- For getting rid of hair lice
- Eucalyptus oil helps with speedy healing of wound and also as a disinfectant in wounds
- It controls blood sugar
- For treating fever. Etc.
CAN I MAKE A EUCALYPTUS CANDLE AT HOME, IF YES, HOW?
Eucalyptus candles are so easy to make, and yes, they can be made at home. Once you have the right combination of ingredients you are good to go. To make a eucalyptus candle you would need a glass candle jar, soy wax flakes, cotton candle wick, eucalyptus candles and to bring a sense of nature, green coloring- you may also use a green crayon for coloring.
To make the candle:
- Melt the soy wax flakes in a Teflon pan until it becomes completely liquid. Do this on medium heat and stir continuously to avoid the wax flakes clumping or sticking to the pan.
- If using a crayon as a coloring, reduce the heat and pour in broken pieces of it at this point. Continue stirring the mixture so that the crayon would be evenly distributed.
- Remove the mixture from heat and stir in about 10-15 drops of eucalyptus oil.
- Now, wrap an end of the cotton wick around a pencil and then suspend the pencil in the middle of the glass jar, allowing the remaining part of the wick to fall inside the jar.
- Slowly pour in the melted mixture into the jar. Monitor the wick when doing this so that it wouldn’t be off-center.
- Allow the mixture to cool off and harden, in a place away from disturbance for 4-5 hours.
- The candle must have hardened by this time. At this point, you can cut the wick to stand at just ½ inch above the wax.
You can now burn your eucalyptus candle to obtain its many benefits!
