Emma’s So Naturals – Naturally Scented Candles
Containing No Synthetic Fragrances, No Artificial Dyes, No Paraffin or Parabens!
Why do we use only Pure Essential Oil Fragrances?
We love Essential Oils! You get to experience a naturally delicate, authentic & beautiful aroma from using only pure essential oils.
The un-natural and overpowering perfume fragrances in many widely available, artificially scented candles are what actually inspired me to create my natural, alternative collection. Those ‘crude’ candles (pun intended!) often made me feel ill with headache, nausea and general discomfort.
I prefer to use only Pure Essential oils and extracts, derived from actual flowers, leaves, fruits or herbs. Extracts that can reputedly provide a huge range of health benefits including relaxation, uplifting and regulating your mood, easing colds and flu, aphrodisiac to clearing the mind.
This experience of the widely reputed healing benefits of natural essential oils, is not achieved by using synthetic fragrance oils.
Some so called ‘Natural Fragrance Oils’ are these same synthetic scents that only smell vaguely similar to something natural. Synthetic ‘Fragrance oils’ and other scented products would contain man-made fragrances and perfume compounds that try to imitate nature or simulate the scent of random, imaginary or everyday items, psycholocically evoking concepts and abstract associations. Some fantasy scents are even created to evoke the smell of things which in fact are odourless, like fern. I prefer to keep it real!
“Modern commercial perfume compound is made from natural essential oils, natural extracts, naturally isolated chemicals, synthetic aroma chemicals, speciality bases, and sometimes even animal products. More typically to achieve modern effects the compound is made up from a mixture of natural and synthetic materials. They could also use traces of animal products (Source) ” Perfumers World Limited.
Essential oils may be used for relaxation, emotional enjoyment or healing. Depending on the type of oil, the result on the body may be pleasantly calming or stimulating but they also must be used with care. Please use essential oils carefully and please ensure the oils contained in your product is suitable for your condition, some oils are to be avoided during pregnancy, some can cause drowsiness and some can cause sensitisation of the skin.
For more information on the oils contained in each of our products please visit the Essential Oils Fragrances page.
What are Essential Oils?
In order to attract pollinators, to warn predators and for many other reasons, plants produce a huge variety of chemical compounds – some of these are ‘Volatile Organic Compounds’. Volatile meaning they are easily evaporated compounds. They evaporate when they are secreted or exposed to the air and thus are capable of distillation. Essential Oils are produced from these volatiles by extracting them from the natural plant material using a variety of different methods such as distillation or mechanical pressing, etc.
Essential oils are the result of 1: A series of chemical processes that happen within the plant’s cells during it’s growth. These processes begin with the glucose (energy) produced by the plant during photosynthesis and through a series of different chemical processes involving different enzymes, produce a variety of chemical compounds or constituents. 2: A series of processes that are then undertaken to extract these volatiles from the plant material such as harvesting and distilation and 3: Post extraction processes that can influence reactions such as Oxidation (when molecules are affected by oxygen) & Polymerisation (when molecules bond or combine).
In aromatherapy and perfumery we are interested in extracting scent-producing compounds to produce essential oils. Different plant species, different plant parts, different stages of development and even different times of the day, along with a vast number of potential re-arrangements of molecules result in a huge diversity of volatile compounds produced.
Plants are pretty amazing, right?
Shelf Life:
Generally, it is recommended that you use your candle within 12 to 18 months, once you open it from its original packaging, especially if it is a natural plant wax, however you can expect a stable and attractive shelf life of around 3 years if stored correctly. Essential oils themselves can have a shelf life of up to 15 years when unopened, however, oxidisation and deterioration of their fragrance can begin as soon as opened. Store your candles in a cool dark place when not in use. Store out of direct sunlight.
Safety concerns with Essential Oils:
Emma’s Eco-Soy Candles & Melts contain pure essential oils. These pure essential oils have been derived from plants, flowers, leaves and fruit, and can be highly concentrated. I use a high ratio of pure essential oils to wax varying from 3%-10%; and all essential oils should be used with caution. Some essential oils should be avoided during pregnancy, see below for more information. Some essential oils can cause sensitisation (trigger allergies), despite being diluted in soy wax, it is always a good idea to keep oils away from the skin and eyes, and wash hands after handling the candles or wax tart melts.Some essential oils can affect the heart rate, in that some can have a sedative effect and so should not be used while concentration is required, and you should not operate machinery or drive after their use, or some can have a stimulating effect and so should not be used by anyone with high or low blood pressure. Consult a doctor if you have any concerns.
Pregnancy & Essential Oils
It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor or midwife before using essential oils. You can use a vaporiser, or oil burner, but don’t leave it on for longer than 10 or 15 minutes in each hour. If you leave it on for too long, the smell can be overpowering and make you feel nauseous.It’s best to start using essential oils once you are past the first trimester. If you use them in the first trimester, always consult an aroma therapist who’s trained in treating mums-to-be.
As long as your pregnancy is going well, it’s fine for you to use:
- Citrus oils, such as tangerine and neroli.
- German chamomile
- common lavender
- frankincense
- black pepper
- peppermint
- ylang ylang
- eucalyptus
- bergamot
- cypress
- rose
Don’t use the following essential oils while you are pregnant:
- nutmeg, which may have hallucinogenic effects and react with pain-relieving drugs in labour
- rosemary, which is thought to increase blood pressure, and may cause contractions
- basil, which is thought to contribute to abnormal cell development
- jasmine and clary sage, which may trigger contractions
- sage, which may cause bleeding in your uterus (womb)
- juniper berry, which may affect your kidneys
- In some circumstances, it’s best to steer clear of essential oils altogether. Don’t use any oils if:
- you have a history of miscarriage
- you have had any vaginal bleeding in this pregnancy
- you have epilepsy
- you have heart problems
- you have diabetes, blood clotting problems, or have thyroid, liver or kidney disease