| Why
Beeswax?
Health.
Most candles are paraffin, a left-over from oil refining
that contains dioxin and other carcinogens, and processed
meat-packing wastes. These toxic chemical candles are
scented with poisonous synthetic oils and deceptively
marketed to "freshen" the precious air that we breathe.
But the black soot they emit is as harmful to our health
and homes as second-hand tobacco smoke, and the EPA says
"burning several [paraffin] candles… increased risk for
cancer". The American Lung Association says "Refrain from
burning scented… candles", and that should include all
"aromatherapy" candles as unsafe. HealthyCandles.org says
"Avoid paraffin." We say "Health first! Avoid chemical and
scented candles."
Healthy candles? Natural beeswax is very different.
Made from flowers by honeybees, it’s uniquely non-toxic,
non-allergenic, and has a delicate honey-sweet aroma. A
perfect, peaceful, renewable resource, beeswax is made by
female worker bees for honeycomb that safely holds their
honey and baby bees.
To produce one pound of beeswax, the worker bees eat about
ten pounds of honey, fly 150,000 miles, and visit 33
million flower blossoms! Beeswax is very precious stuff.
Unscented beeswax is healthy when burned, producing
negative ions that actually clean our air of pollens,
odors, smoke, viruses, mold, dust, dust mites, and other
allergens. As does a rainstorm, beeswax candles leave our
air fresher and cleaner. They are the only candles for
anyone with chemical sensitivities or allergies.
Increasing negative ions in the air and on the body, such
as when one bathes in water, improves mood and sense of
wellbeing. Studies show:
- Improved air quality
- Improved sleep
- Enhanced immune system
- Relief from hay fever & allergies
- Less severe asthma attacks
- Improved concentration
- Balancing of hormones
- Natural detoxification
- Sense of wellbeing
Value.
Beeswax burns much brighter, hotter, cleaner, and longer
than chemical and vegetable waxes. When properly made and
burned, beeswax candles are smokeless and dripless (see
Burning Tips). They may seem more expensive by size, but
when measured by burn time and completeness of burn, pure
beeswax candles are usually a far better value than
boutique paraffin.
But beware:
because of lax labeling laws
and consistent lobbying by chemical candle makers, a
candle may be labeled "beeswax" if it contains as little
as 10% beeswax - the balance is probably paraffin. Also
be suspicious of labels simply stating "natural". If the
label doesn’t say "100% beeswax" or "pure beeswax", it
almost certainly is not.
Vegetable wax candles,
such as soy and palm, are a great improvement over
chemical candles, but do not possess the same magical
qualities as beeswax; and soy may be from GMO
(genetically-modified) sources.
Beauty. Beeswax is so beautiful. Smell it, mold it
in your hands, watch the living light as it burns. A
carefully handcrafted beeswax candle is a wholesome thing
of beauty that reminds us of our connection to the natural
world and supports health, sustainable practices, and
peace for all. Choose health, the greatest measure of
beauty. Choose beeswax.
Save the world. Burn
beeswax.
Sound like a
stretch? Consider the circle of life and the
interconnectedness of all things. Everything that we
humans do, every choice we make, every dollar we spend,
has an effect.
Consider the relationship
of humans and bees. Honeybees are vitally important
creatures in nature. They are also the principal
pollinators of our fruit, nut and vegetable crops. Without
them, life as we know it would change drastically for the
worse. With the current trend, this is a very real and
dreadful possibility.
Humans have so poisoned
the ecosystem with chemical agriculture (oil, again) that
today the bees are dying worldwide in alarming and record
numbers. When we support chemical agriculture, we
contribute to that devastation. But when we choose to
support organic agriculture, we contribute to the healing,
to health in general. When we buy and burn chemical
candles, we harm ourselves and our world. When we support
beekeepers and bees, well, we help save the world. Simple
as that.
Why Beeswax? Because we care about our health and our
world.
Choose well. Pass it on.
>> Download this
document in
printable form
 or
customizable format
links:
|
