Have you ever wondered if bees have a sense of smell?
In fact, these small creatures possess an intricate and sophisticated sense of smell! Their olfactory prowess is crucial to their survival and success as a species. As vital and tiny pollinators, bees engage in complex communication, foraging, and even in the detection of diseases within their colonies, through their sense of smell.
The Power of Pheromones
Bees have specialized odor receptors located in their antennae, called sensilla, that help them detect and interpret chemical signals. This chemical signaling is essential for them to communicate. When the bees themselves emit chemical signals, they are emitting pheromones, essential for them to coordinate tasks, recognize threats, and maintain their colony’s health and wellbeing. The queen bee sends out a special pheromone which, when she is thriving, tells the hive that all is well. However, when these pheromone levels drop, this signals distress to the colony. This prompts the worker bees to take action to protect the hive, and may also signal the necessity for them to choose a new queen.
Foraging by Smell
As foragers, bees rely heavily on their sense of smell to locate precious food sources. When bees venture out of the hive in search of nectar and pollen, they use their odor receptors to detect floral aromas. Their ability enables them to identify a flower’s unique fragrances, guiding them to the best blooms. Some plants have even co-evolved with certain bee species so that their mutual relationship benefits both parties - plants get abundantly pollinated, and the bees have a bountiful supply of food. As bees move from flower to flower to collect nectar, they transfer pollen grains from the male part of the flower to the female part, fertilizing the plant and allowing it to produce fruit and seeds. Bees also leave scent trails for their fellow foragers so they can also efficiently collect food for the hive. These scent trails also serve as a marker for where the bees have been for more efficient pollination and foraging.
Protection Detection
Bees are vulnerable to various diseases which can devastate entire colonies. Bees have a defense mechanism that allows them to detect and respond to infections using their sense of smell. When a bee becomes sick or infected, it releases an odor different from healthy bees. When other bees detect disease, they isolate infected bees, clean and if needed even remove the infected bees to safeguard the hive.
When a bee senses danger near the hive, it releases alarm pheromones that spread quickly through the hive that allow other bees within the colony to act quickly. Their keen sense of smell also serves to identify intruders and respond swiftly.
Geraniol: A Fascinating Connection
Our AMARÉ aroma is rich in Geraniol, which is found in the essential oils of plants like geraniums and roses. This particular aromatic molecule holds a special connection with bees. This molecule attracts bees and has been studied for its natural pesticide qualities, effectively controlling harmful pests such as varroa mites (tiny external parasites that can inflict great harm to bees and the entire hive) while being safe for the bees. Geraniol’s anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties can also serve to aid in bee health. Some researchers are studying how geraniol could be used to help bees fight off diseases and pathogens.
Bees are remarkable tiny creatures, true warriors in our fight to keep nature thriving and beautiful, and ensuring a healthy ecosystem. Next time you see a bee buzzing nearby, take a moment to look at it and appreciate the work it is doing. Enjoy the incredible world of scents that govern our lives and that of the bee, and share in the moment with your new friend.
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Lavender. The mere mention of this flower conjures up images of rolling hills and a sweet floral fragrance that evokes a sense of peace and tranquility. A sea of purple flowers sway in the gentle breeze, and bathed in golden sunlight they stretch across the horizon and invite us to fill our senses with a warm and sweet floral aroma. Breathe in. Breathe out. The scent of lavender is a tonic, soothing salve that eases the stresses of the everyday.
Lavender is a beloved and iconic plant that has become profoundly interwoven with human history, not only for its pleasant aroma, but also for its use in medicine and wellness. Lavender’s use as a remedial plant is extensively documented, and stretches far back into antiquity. The Greek physician to the Roman army, Dioscorides, wrote that lavender would relieve indigestion, sore throats, and headaches. The Romans named the plant after its use in their bathing rituals (“lava” means “to wash”), realizing lavender isn’t only relaxing, but also antiseptic.
But it is not only ancient wisdom that recognizes the power of lavender. Modern scientific research has begun to unlock the secrets behind this remarkable botanical, revealing the key components that provide its numerous wellness benefits. One of these is linalool, an aromatic molecule in which lavender is particularly rich. Research has shown that linalool has a number of wellness effects on the human body. In particular, linalool has been shown to make the immune system more resilient to the negative effects of stress, protecting the body's ability to manage stress over the long term. This is believed to be due to linalool's ability to activate the body's parasympathetic response, which is closely linked to relaxation and rest. As has been studied, chronic stress, defined by an overloaded central nervous system and overproduction of the stress hormone cortisol, can cause a variety of symptoms that impact your mental and physical health, productivity, and relationships.
While linalool provides a relaxing component to lavender’s benefits, it represents only one aromatic molecule in over 100 different molecules that make its composition. The lavender plant’s molecules, working in synergy with each other, create an even larger cohort of wellness benefits such as antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and healing. This is the miracle of nature.
So next time you encounter lavender on a leisurely stroll through your neighborhood or during your travels, take a moment to indulge in breathing in its alluring fragrance, and let its therapeutic properties soothe your soul.
In the absence of the source itself? There exist other ways to bring the power of lavender into your daily routines. From diffusing lavender-rich essential oils in your home as you unwind, adding a few drops to your evening bath, misting your pillow with a lavender spray before bed, or lighting a candle scented with real lavender aroma, there exist a wealth of options to explore. Our recommendation? Stick with 100% botanically-derived aromas, and preferably from organically grown plants.
If you are looking to enhance your daily rituals, lavender can also become a reliable cornerstone, turning any space into a sanctuary. Wherever or whenever it may be, you can take a moment to breathe deeply and let the soothing properties of this timeless plant untangle your mind and unwind your body.
UNWIND WITH LAVENDER
Olfactory wellness is learning about how your olfactory system works, and how nurturing and being aware of your sense of smell can contribute to a healthier body and mind. Our olfactory system serves as the only direct link between our environment and the central nervous system, so the aromas you surround yourself with matter. Not only does our sense of smell help us identify things, but it also serves as a conduit to memories, emotions and places – it is holistic and all-encompassing, involving your physical, mental and spiritual well being. To learn more about how your sense of smell works, visit our page on Olfactory Wellness.
1 - Connect with your senses and nurture your sense of smell
Whether it’s smelling that first cup of coffee in the morning, peeling an orange, or the smell of freshly cut grass, your sense of smell allows you to be fully present and find joy and meaning in what you are doing. Being aware of aromas around you can help reinforce your sense of smell and your overall health all while building gray matter in your brain. You can train your sense of smell by beginning to smell things with intention. Keep a scent journal that can help you hone in and enhance your experiences. Smell training is not only healthy for cognition and memory but it can serve to help retrain your brain if you have lost your sense of smell, such as after a sinus or viral infection.
2 - Be mindful of what you consume and breathe
It is all too easy to forget that the air we breathe, including the chemicals and particles that are in our environment, enters our bodies and directly affects our overall health. What we consume - whether we are eating, drinking, or breathing it - has an impact on our cognitive functions and physical health. We need to pay attention and select products that can help keep our air healthy to breathe. We all deserve to know what we are consuming and breathing and make the best possible choices for ourselves. You deserve the peace of mind of a totally transparent ingredients list with names you are empowered to understand. By becoming acquainted with common ingredients you can help keep yourself safely away from breathing in endocrine disrupting chemicals, such as phthalates and parabens. Pesticides, heavy metals, solvents and plastics can contain chemicals or mixtures of chemicals that can block, interfere or mimic the body’s hormones leading to a variety of health issues from cancer, breathing issues, and neurological disease. Toxic chemicals can travel through our nasal passage and olfactory system to our brain, and have been linked to neurological diseases.
3 - Learn about mother nature’s benefits and enjoy!
Nature yields scientifically proven benefits. For example, the benefits of forest bathing are well documented. In Japan this practice is called ‘shinrin yoku’, which means taking in the forest’s atmosphere to experience the multitude of benefits it brings - from lowering blood pressure, to improving memory recall, to boosting immunity, and more. Forests are rich in phytoncides, which are aromatic molecules emitted by trees that protect them - and us - from illness. Research shows that phytoncides help increase our body’s Natural Killer cells, also called NK cells, that can kill cancer and virally infected cells, and help us fight off disease. Our MOJO Botanical Mist and MOJO Forest Bathing candle have been specifically designed to capture the benefits of forest bathing.
Nature also allows us to recalibrate ourselves. We are interconnected to nature, and experiencing it brings us closer to understanding ourselves, and closer to our natural equilibrium. Taking the time to go out in nature, even for only a short walk, can reset our mindset and help us find balance. Our natural world communicates through chemical signaling around us, from bacteria, to plants, to fish, to other animals, including us - it is no wonder that we may feel more equilibrium when we tap into the world around us.
4 - A healthy lifestyle and active body nourishes your sense of smell
As always, preventive medicine is best. Maintaining a nutritious diet, regular exercise, good stress management, staying well hydrated and having healthy relationships all contribute to a lifestyle of wellness.
It bears endless repetition to say that our mind and bodies benefit tremendously from healthy movement. Every single system in our body relies on healthy exercise - from our lymphatic system and immune system, to our musculoskeletal and digestive system, to our central and peripheral nervous system. Even beyond the benefits to our body’s systems, exercise releases endorphins to make us feel good and relieve stress, creates a space where we briefly get to disconnect from everyday challenges and responsibilities, allows us an outlet for self expression, and reinforces a healthy connection with our bodies. All beautiful things require maintenance, and our bodies operate at their best when we nourish them and engage in physical activities daily, even if just for twenty minutes a day.
Keep in mind that Vitamin B12 supports the central nervous system, and a low B12 can contribute to or signal problems with olfaction. Be aware of your Vitamin B12 levels and take supplements if recommended by your doctor.
5 - Be aware of your sense of smell and how it can play a role in preventative care
Your ability to smell serves to alert you of something gone awry. It can be a sign of such things as a neurological disorder such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, an autoimmune disease or a viral infection. Part of preventative medicine is being attuned to your body and recognizing when your body needs help, or even signaling that your lifestyle may need changing.
Smelling an ocean breeze, relishing in the aroma of your favorite dish, finding comfort in the smell of your loved ones, or being transported to a special place with a whiff of a scent, all contribute to a sense of enjoyment in life! Unfortunately as we age, our sense of smell can decline with an estimated loss of 50% by the age of 80. Being proactive and paying attention to aromas around you and savoring your food (80% of taste is smell) can keep your sense of smell staying sharp and mitigate the loss. Proactively being attuned to your sense of smell means you are also exercising your sense of smell! Like a good workout, exercising your olfactory system can help us to keep enjoying the aromas that contribute to our fond memories, emotional, mental and physical wellbeing!
Our sense of smell is the most primordial of our senses, but also the least understood and most mysterious. We are in a period of discovery where we are learning more about our olfactory system, how it works and how it keeps us healthy. Stay tuned for more!
]]>“We need the tonic of the wilderness... We can never have enough of nature.” - Henry David Thoreau, Walden: Or, Life in the Woods.
When you have been busy at work all week, it can be difficult to slow down.
You may have been rushing around so much you no longer know how to sit still. The stress of a hectic life wears on more than our psyche. As we know, stress has a profound impact on our overall physical health, from decreasing our productivity at work to preventing us from getting a good night’s sleep - stress can even wreak destruction on our immune system, making it more likely to become sick.
The origins of Forest Bathing
As Henry David Thoreau wrote in Walden, and as we intuitively understand, nature offers a potent antidote to the daily stress of modern life. In Japan, shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing — defined as spending time amidst the trees — has been considered a form of preventive medicine since it was first studied in the 1980s. “Shinrin in Japanese means “forest,” and yoku means “bath.” So shinrin-yoku means bathing in the forest atmosphere, or taking in the forest through our senses. It is simply being in nature, connecting with it through our senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch. Shinrin-yoku is like a bridge. By opening our senses, it bridges the gap between us and the natural world,” says Dr. Qing Li, MD, PhD, a physician and immunologist at Nippon Medical School hospital in Tokyo, and the world’s foremost expert in forest medicine.
Health benefits of Forest Bathing
Numerous studies have shown that shinrin-yoku has tangible health benefits. At the conclusion of the landmark 1980s Japanese studies, the researchers found that the practice of forest bathing significantly decreases stress, boosts immunity and lowers blood pressure. Subsequent studies showed that soaking up the forest environment — the smell of the woods, the verdant scenery, the gentle crunching of twigs underfoot — reduces cortisol (the body’s primary stress hormone) and activates the parasympathetic (self-healing) nervous system. These benefits are delivered in part through breathing in phytoncides, aromatic molecules released by trees which protect them from bacteria and fungus. Recent studies show that breathing in these aromas can increase the number of the body’s natural killer cells (a type of white blood cell crucial to the immune system that can limit the spread of microbial infections and tumors), and boosts the immune system.
Forest Bathing in today's busy lifestyle
Getting into nature — even for a few hours, let alone days at a time — can be difficult for those of us with demanding schedules or a lack of access to green spaces. By 2050, 66% of the world’s population is projected to live in cities. According to a study sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American spends 93% of his or her time indoors.
Fortunately, even if you are a city dweller hours away from a forest, or your schedule is too full to make it to the woods, getting the benefits of forest bathing is still possible within the confines of the great indoors.
Forest Bathing candle from CandaScent Labs
When you cannot take a walk in the woods, the forest in a jar is the next best thing. We collaborated with Dr. Susan Trapp - renowned terpene expert - to formulate a candle that brings the benefits of forest bathing to your home: “Co-developing the forest bathing MOJO candle formulation with CandaScent Labs was a creative pleasure and endeavor. Publications reporting relevant aromatic molecules found in forests paired with literature of their therapeutic benefits enabled us to identify unique terpenes with incredible aromas backed by sound science.”
MOJO’s crisp notes of fresh balsam, spruce and cypress will connect you to the clean and grounding scents of the forest - crushed balsam needles and the damp forest floor. Niaouli and bay laurel offer a sweet and cooling aroma, while a hint of patchouli and vetiver add deep woodsy notes.
Close your eyes and imagine yourself reaching the peak of the mountain. The forest is just a breath away.
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For further listening, consider this episode of the thoughtful and informative podcast 'This Aromatic Life' with Frauke Galia.
]]>Few things exist that feel as good as a walk in the woods.
The trees cast dancing shadows as their limbs sway far above the lush earth under our feet. The aromas of the forest envelop our senses and we take special notice of the buoyant song of the birds, the shifting sunlight on our skin. Our worldly problems ease, and our hearts expand to fill the world around us - we connect with the smallest details, taking special interest in the patterns of a snail shell, or a particularly attractive leaf.
There is something nearly spiritual, transformative about the experience that evokes a wholly separate state of mind. This is the singular power of the ritual - which has persisted in various forms across centuries and cultures precisely because humans beings need it.
A ritual is the ceremonial practice of being present in the moment - it is forging thoughtful connections with our bodies, our minds and our surroundings. A ritual can be as simple as brewing a cup of tea or focusing on a deep breath. Slow and unhurried activities like these enable ourselves to think more creatively, encourage a positive mental wellbeing, demonstrate more love for those around us, approach challenges with more grace, and make space to appreciate the small yet magnificent beauty that resides in the mundane.
Here are 5 ways to incorporate rituals into your daily routine - and the best natural candles to light alongside them.
Get up and stretch:
Stretching counteracts the effects of the day, whether we have been sitting at a desk for hours, working on our feet, or managing the stresses of a hectic schedule. Incorporating quick stretches into your day eases the body and mind. Better yet - yoga has been proven to calm the mind, lower blood pressure, and slow the heart rate, while supporting joint strength and decreasing cortisol levels in the brain. Engage in a mindful conversation with your body and Burn our citrus enriched FOCUS organic candle with your next yoga session to promote balance and increase circulation.
Indulge in a bath:
Sylvia Plath once said, “There must be quite a few things a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know many of them.” Studies show that a bath is often a meditative, therapeutic experience - a place to do some of our most profound and unhurried thinking free from distractions or demands. Spend some time daydreaming and allowing your mind to wander. Feel the warm water cradling you like a mother's embrace, and watch the steam billow softly as the world melts away. The uplifting and neuroprotective rose and mint in our AMARÉ aromatic candle will set the tone.
Eat more fruits and vegetables:
Support a good mood with good food. Not only do fruits and vegetables provide a wealth of necessary vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, but studies point to a link between the consumption of fruits and vegetables and better mental health. Nutritious diets are associated with lower rates of depression, and promote feelings of wellbeing. Our PROTECT organic candle supports you from the inside out with its vibrant notes of basil and sweet orange, and their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory benefits.
Get into nature:
Spending time in nature is a well-known antidote for stress: it can lower blood pressure and cortisol levels, enhance immune system function, increase self-esteem, reduce anxiety, and improve mood. When a walk in the woods is not possible, burning our MOJO forest bathing candle is the next best thing. Inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, literally ‘forest bath’, MOJO is formulated to replicate the experience of breathing in the fresh air of the woods - rich in the same phytoncides that help protect trees from bacteria and fungus.
Get enough sleep:
Sleep, which occupies approximately one-third of the lives of human beings, is essential for our mental and physical health and wellbeing. Cultivate your sleep routine - set a consistent wind-down time and avoid the harsh light of screens, which are proven to increase alertness and diminish our ability to fall and stay asleep. Opt instead for soft bedside lighting, a comforting book, and our UNWIND candle’s gentle lavender aroma - a multitude of studies have concluded that inhaling lavender improves sleep quality, combats insomnia, calms the mind, and promotes relaxation. Just make sure to extinguish your candle when you are ready to turn in for the night.
]]>Commonly referred to as basil, this extraordinary herb has been revered throughout the ages for its intoxicating aroma and potent medicinal benefits. You may have had the experience of rubbing just-plucked basil leaves between your fingers, inhaling its majestic panoply of intertwining scents and feeling instantly refreshed. It is no wonder that basil’s common name is derived from the Greek βασιλεύς (basileus), meaning "king." At once sweet and fresh, spicy and herbaceous, the mention alone of its name evokes precious memories of hand torn leaves destined for a fresh salad or pasta sauce, of timeless summer days and clear blue skies that seem to last forever.
Basil’s use as a medicinal plant is perhaps the best documented in the botanical kingdom, and its potent remedial powers have been cultivated across the globe for millennia. In ancient Egypt, basil was believed to have been used in embalming and preserving mummies, and has been found in ancient tombs beneath the pyramids. It was also thought to ensure a safe journey to the afterlife, a belief shared in Ancient Greece.
Basil’s use in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for all manner of prevention and cure is trumped by no other plant. In Indian traditional medicine, basil has been used for the treatment of anxiety, nerve pain, neurodegenerative disorders, as an anticonvulsant and a potent anti-inflammatory. The Oxford English Dictionary quotes speculations that basil may have once been used in "some royal unguent, bath, or medicine." Basil is still considered the "king of herbs" by many culinary authors, and in French is colloquially referred to as “l’herbe royale” - the royal herb.
Not all ocimum basilicum are created the same. There exist an estimated 50 to 150 different species of basil, with wide variations in appearance, flavor, and scent. The various basils - Thai basil, purple opal, lemon basil, African blue, Pluto, and others - have such varying scents because each expresses different aromatic molecules in its essential oils.
The strong clove scent of Thai basil comes from eugenol, the same compound that is found in actual cloves. The citrus scent of lemon basil comes from citral and limonene, which gives lemon peel its characteristic aroma. African blue basil has a strong camphorous smell because it is rich in camphene. Licorice basil contains anethole, the same compound that makes licorice and absinthe smell like anise.
What all basils have in common is a flexible and complex combination of linalool, myrcene, 1,8-cineole, and other aromatic compounds. Contemporary scientific studies continue to shed light on the organic makeup of basil, and how its components affect the human body. While formulating the PROTECT candle, we carefully evaluated the olfactory fingerprints of a dozen varieties of basil, and settled on a linalool-rich organic basil essential oil to take full advantage of the compound’s myriad therapeutic properties.
Research indicates that test subjects exposed to linalool vapors show reduced levels of anxiety, and fewer depressive behaviors. In these tests, subjects exposed to linalool vapors were able to spend more time than their control counterparts in stress-inducing environments, and continued to work to solve difficult tasks.
Recent scientific studies indicate that linalool makes the immune system more resilient to the destructive effects of stress. Stress causes a shift in the distribution of white blood cells in the body. In this shift, the percentage of lymphocytes decreases, and neutrophils increase. Linalool has been shown to prevent this shift, and in doing so, prevents the stress-induced changes in the expression of our DNA - in other words, it has a positive long-term effect on our body’s ability to manage stress. Interestingly, the authors of this study reasoned that this protection was mediated by linalool’s ability to activate the body’s parasympathetic response, which is also activated when the body is at rest - fitting nearly poetically with linalool’s anti-anxiety effects.
Recent studies have gone so far as to suggest that linalool vapor may have pain-relieving effects. In one study, patients who underwent invasive surgery were either exposed to linalool-rich vapor, or an unscented control. Only 46% of the patients who inhaled the linalool vapor required post-operative opioid medication, compared to 82% of the control group. Further, the morphine needs of those in the linalool group were nearly half that of the control group, together suggesting that linalool can reduce the need for post-surgery opioid-based pain treatment.
It is little wonder that humans have long held reverence for this botanical powerhouse. We bow before the royal basil plant for perfectly embodying the simultaneous beauty and function of nature. Find basil prominently featured in our PROTECT candle, with notes of basil and sweet orange - the apotheosis of a deep breath.
Resources:
Kim JT, Ren CJ, Fielding GA, Pitti A, Kasumi T, Wajda M, Lebovits A, Bekker A. Treatment with lavender aromatherapy in the post-anesthesia care unit reduces opioid requirements of morbidly obese patients undergoing laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. Obes Surg. 2007 Jul;17(7):920-5. doi: 10.1007/s11695-007-9170-7. PMID: 17894152.
Akio Nakamura, Satoshi Fujiwara, Ichiro Matsumoto, and Keiko Abe. Stress Repression in Restrained Rats by (R)-(−)-Linalool Inhalation and Gene Expression Profiling of Their Whole Blood Cells J. Agric. Food Chem. 2009, 57, 12, 5480–5485, May 20, 2009. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf900420g
Simon, J.E., J. Quinn, and R.G. Murray (1990). "Basil: A source of essential oils". In J. Janick; J.E. Simon (eds.). Advances in new crops. Timber Press, Portland, OR. pp. 484–489.
Gernot Katzer. "Basil". Spice Pages. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
Sienkiewicz M, Łysakowska M, et al. The Potential of Use Basil and Rosemary Essential Oils as Effective Antibacterial Agents. Molecules. 2013;18(8):9334–9351. doi:10.3390/molecules18089334
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“I declare this world is so beautiful that I can hardly believe it exists.” The majesty of nature can have a profound effect upon our senses - our gateways from the outer world to the inner - whether it results in disbelief in its very existence, as Ralph Waldo Emerson declares, or feelings of profound wonderment and elation. The soothing sight of clouds meandering across a bright blue sky, a bracing gust of wind that refreshes our face, the subtle orchestra of a trickling stream, or the smell of the earth just after it has rained… to venture out is frequently to venture inward, and as we take notice of our surroundings, we often find we are navigating our own consciousness.
Nature is inimitable in its complex beauty, as well as its restorative benefits - a simple deep breath immersed in a verdant canopy of trees can do so much for our mental wellness. It is no mistake that the word ‘inspire’ comes from the Latin word ‘spirare’ - to breathe. It is with this in mind - the basic acknowledgement that we need nature perhaps now more than ever if we are to nurture this connection with ourselves and the planet - that our desire to start CandaScent Labs was born.
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“I declare this world is so beautiful that I can hardly believe it exists.” The majesty of nature can have a profound effect upon our senses - our gateways from the outer world to the inner - whether it results in disbelief in its very existence, as Ralph Waldo Emerson declares, or feelings of profound wonderment and elation. The soothing sight of clouds meandering across a bright blue sky, a bracing gust of wind that refreshes our face, the subtle orchestra of a trickling stream, or the smell of the earth just after it has rained… to venture out is frequently to venture inward, and as we take notice of our surroundings, we often find we are navigating our own consciousness.
Nature is inimitable in its complex beauty, as well as its restorative benefits - a simple deep breath immersed in a verdant canopy of trees can do so much for our mental wellness. It is no mistake that the word ‘inspire’ comes from the Latin word ‘spirare’ - to breathe.
It is with this in mind - the basic acknowledgement that we need nature perhaps now more than ever if we are to nurture this connection with ourselves and the planet - that our desire to start CandaScent Labs was born. When we first began formulating the aromatic profiles of our candles, one of our primary concerns was doing justice to a deeply felt responsibility - to wield science with an accountability to the future, and a goal of protecting this precious planet and its countless treasures. We decided early in our formulation process to support sustainable agriculture by doing something we had never seen - sourcing certified organic essential oils for our candles.
Improper cultivating and foraging of plants can lead to shortage and botanical scarcity, affecting the health and diversity of the planet and its creatures. Some essential oil supply chains are already being strained, and as we know our planet’s natural resources are limited, the production and sourcing of essential oils need to be managed mindfully.
An increasingly popularized interest in natural and botanically rich products and essential oils has brought to light the need for sustainable sourcing. Dr. Kelly Ablard, from the Airmid Institute, which researches the ethical sourcing of plant extracts and sustainable harvesting, notes:
“It is a devastatingly huge problem. According to the Global Market Insights, back in 2018 the global essential oils market exceeded 7.5 billion USD and is estimated to exceed 15 billion USD by 2026… The issue of the sustainability of carrier and essential oil-bearing plants is therefore inseparable from the threat to the global natural environment, and from factors that contribute to the ravages of climate change.”
To further illustrate this poignant commentary - one ounce of lavender essential oil requires 15 pounds of raw material, and 60,000 roses are needed to produce one ounce of its essential oil. Unless we are mindful of our agricultural practices, the essential oil industry risks depleting natural resources faster than they can be replenished.
When we consulted research into the ways we could source our ingredients, we realized a sad truth: that conventional essential oils can often be produced unsustainably, with incalculable damage done to surrounding ecosystems. The use of pesticides and herbicides in farming practices results in the bioaccumulation of harmful chemicals in our terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, polluting not only the soil and water, but also the organisms that rely on them. This endangers the natural habitats of our planetary housemates - one study showed that two commonly used pesticides harm up to 97% of endangered species in the United States alone.
These practices can even promote the biomagnification of chemicals into the final product. Since essential oils require a great quantity of raw material to produce, the presence of these pesticides can be significantly magnified. One study we encountered was able to detect as many as 39 different pesticides in a batch of conventional essential oil, resulting in an astonishing concentration of 51.1 mg of chemicals in a liter of oil.
Over the past few decades, as we have become increasingly aware of the stresses on our planet, more of us want to make choices that can alleviate the burdens we have placed on it. By sourcing organic essential oils, we invest in a system that supports the proper care, nutritive replenishment and regenerative harvesting needed to maintain a thriving supply of plants.
Organic accreditation does not only protect humans - it protects the earth that sustains us. International accreditation agencies exist with the purpose of allowing us to source mindfully from around the world. Organic certifications differ slightly from country to country, but what they all have in common is an evidence-based assurance that the final product is the result of farming practices that encourage environmental stability, promote biodiversity by utilizing animal-friendly methods, and support the restoration of natural resources.
Some of these sustainable practices include:
Rotating which crops are grown, which helps restore the soil’s nutrients and naturally wards off pests
Composting to permeate the soil with organic matter
Encouraging wildlife diversity
Preventing the contamination of water sources
Utilizing machinery that consumes less energy than conventional methods
Collecting in depth documentation of practices, which allows for extensive ability to trace processes from seed to final product
Because they are grown in fertile soil replete with nutrients, and nurtured more carefully than conventionally grown produce, research shows that organically cultivated plants have higher nutrient density - healthier soil grows healthier plants, and healthier plants are more nutritious plants. This nutrient density in turn translates to greater therapeutic value, making organic plant essential oils ideal for health-oriented applications.
The truth is, sourcing certified organic essential oils is costly, sometimes twice as expensive as their conventional counterparts - which themselves can easily cost ten times as much as synthetic, petrochemical-based fragrance oils. However, by investing in our supply chain we support the change needed for a more sustainable future.
We believe that our choices matter - that we can be intentional stewards of a mindful future. We will always strive to formulate healthy candles that are safe for ourselves and our environment, so that we may pass our planet down to our children and grandchildren - like the precious heirloom it was intended to be.
Mariana Furio Franco Bernardes, Murilo Pazin, Lilian Cristina Pereira and Daniel Junqueira Dorta (July 8th 2015). Impact of Pesticides on Environmental and Human Health, Toxicology Studies - Cells, Drugs and Environment, Ana Cristina Andreazza and Gustavo Scola, IntechOpen, DOI: 10.5772/59710. Available from: https://www.intechopen.com/books/toxicology-studies-cells-drugs-and-environment/impact-of-pesticides-on-environmental-and-human-health
Fillâtre Y, Gray FX, Roy C. Pesticides in essential oils: Occurrence and concentration in organic and conventional essential oils from eleven geographical origins. Anal Chim Acta. 2017 Nov 1;992:55-66. doi: 10.1016/j.aca.2017.08.039. Epub 2017 Sep 4. PMID: 29054150. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29054150/)
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Ahuja K, Singh S. Essential Oils Market Size By Application (Orange oil, Lemon oil, Eucalyptus oil, Clove oil, Peppermint oil, Jasmine oil, Rosemary oil, Cornmint oil, Citronella oil, Geranium, Spearmint oil, Lavender oil, Tea tree oil and others), By Application (Food & beverage, Aromatherapy, Cosmetics & Toiletries, Pharmaceuticals, Cleaning & Home care, Animal Feed, Fragrances and Others) Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook, Growth Potential, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2019 – 2026. Global Market Insights. 2019;1-280. Report ID: GMI2391. Oct. 2019.
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