How to Make Luxurious Aromatherapy Candles in Your Kitchen

Aromatherapy is used for healing using the olfactory sensory system. You can pay big bucks for expensive and luxurious aromatherapy candles, but it is also very easy to make your own aromatherapy candles at home right in your kitchen! Here is a short tutorial to get you started!

What you will need

double boiler

glass jar

candle wax, broken into small pieces (use a hammer) or you can buy flakes or granules

wicks and wick holder or small washer

pencils, straws or craft sticks

containers/molds (I like to use containers picked up at thrift stores)

essential oils

colorings

stearine (optional- this is for longer burn time)

How to choose your essential oils

I suggest buying essential oils from your health food store. You can also buy them from many candle supply companies as well. Blended oils are sold to if you don't want to purchase multiple oils. It is worth it to seek out good quality oils. I like Aura Cacia the best. You can pre blend your oils on a piece of paper towel to get a feel for what oils blend well together and what you like.

How to make the candles

First you will want to heat water in your double boiler.

Add a jar filled 3/4 full of solid chunks of candle wax. This is best done over medium heat. If your wax starts to bubble it's too hot and you are at risk of starting a fire. Take the wax off the heat and lower it a bit.

Return the double boiler over the adjusted heat and stir continuously. It will take about 15-25 minutes to melt your wax.

Remove the wax from the heat and add in any oils or colorings you desire. You can add as much scenting and coloring as you like but start out small. You can always add more. Experiment and see what you like the best.

Next set up the wicks in the containers or mold using a washer or a wick holder. You can tie the end of the wick to a pencil, straw or craft stick so it will hold the wick in place.

Pour the wax into the mold carefully. Being careful not to splash the hot wax. Do not overfill.

Let cool overnight. Trim your wicks and you are ready to burn!

How to use the candles

Depending on the oils you choose for your candles they can be used for all sorts of things. From relaxing to invigorating, or somewhere in between. The great thing about aromatherapy candles is you can customize them to your own tastes. They also make wonderful gifts! Be sure to make extras for your friends and family because they will likely request some after smelling yours burning!

You can also get creative in the presentation of your candles. If you are making some for an antiques lover maybe you will want to use antique tea cups for the holder. For a gardener a miniature flower pot would be treasured. Use your imagination! You could also make lovely gift baskets with a set of the candles.

Be sure to keep all burning candles and oils out of reach of small children and pets and always supervise burning candles. Do not attempt candle making with small children underfoot and never leave wax melting on your heat source unattended. It's a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher handy in case of a wax fire as well. Don't worry though, these are just precautions, candle making is pretty straight forward and easy to do.