Facts
- The flame of beeswax candles emits essentially the same light spectrum as the sun .
- Beeswax is known invigorate the body (reportedly, stimulating the puitary gland, thus increasing creativity, intuition, and dream activity).
- Beeswax candles emit negative ions to purify, cleanse and improve air quality. It is nature’s air purifier.
- The oldest dated record of beeswax candles goes back to the 6th-7th century AD.
- Beeswax played a significant role in history and folk lore. From the myth of Icarus flying too close to the sun with wings made of beeswax to Pilyn (23 AD to 79 AD) who described a broth made from beeswax used as a remedy for dysentery and as a skin softener, beeswax was frequently used by the ancients.
- In some cultures beeswax was used as currency and was highly prized. In fact, in 181 BC when the Romans defeated the Corsicans, they imposed at tax of 100,000 pounds of beeswax.
- In the 1300’s farmers in France paid an annual tax of 2 pounds of beeswax each.
- In the thirteenth century, the the Roman Catholic Church decreed beeswax candles to be the only candle appropriate for use in Catholic churches.
- Beeswax is sometimes used in reconstructive surgeries, embalming and dental procedures.
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Beeswax Candles
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Paraffin Candles |
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1. Rare and expensive. Beeswax costs about 10 times more than paraffin. It is estimated that the bees must fly 150,000 miles to collect enough nectar to produce six pounds of honey just to secrete one pound of wax. And for every 100 pounds of honey harvested, the beekeeper can only obtain about 1-2 pounds of the beeswax.
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Easily available and cheap. Paraffin candles make up 95% of the world’s candle production.
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2. Created by the bees, 100% natural, all chemical-free. Oldest candle known to man and prized since ancient times. (Note: There are no regulations on disclosing candle ingredients. Candles labelled as “beeswax” may be predominantly made of paraffin and contain as little as 5% beeswax. Look for “100% pure beeswax candles”.)
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An oil-based, highly refined petroleum by-product that contains up to 11 toxic compounds and chemicals such as benzene and toluene. Emit toxic diesel exhaust-like fumes.
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3. Environmentally friendly and safe, non-toxic. Burn very clean with little smoke when trimmed properly as they are not oil-based. 100% beeswax candles are natural, undergoes no chemical processing and biodegradable.
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A black sludge that is treated with 100% industrial strength bleach to change its colour to white, creating toxic dioxins. Acrolyn, a carcinogenic chemical is then added to solidify the white sludge. The end result is an extremely toxic product. By burning these candles, you produce the same toxins.
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4. Smell great as they are naturally scented by the honey and floral nectar in the honeycomb; carbon-neutral.
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Contain artificial dyes and synthetic fragrances which also produce toxins and stains when burned, adding to the environmental damage. Some paraffin candles contain lead wicks.
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5. Have a high melting point (in fact the highest among all known waxes) which results in a significantly longer (2-5 times) burn time and drip very little, if any at all. This offsets their higher cost.
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Not as efficient. Short burning and drip excessively, which means that they may not be that economical after all. Additional chemicals can be added to reduce dripping.
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6. Burn stronger and brighter. Emit naturally bright light of the same light spectrum as the sun. They are a gift from nature!
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Produce a flame that is not as strong and brilliant. Cannot evoke the same natural ambience of warmth and style as beeswax.
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7. Burn with even more beauty with age. Over time, beeswax develops a white film (especially in cooler climate), which is deemed as a very desirable feature.
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Synthetic waxes do not bloom as time passes.
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8. The only candle that emits negative ions to purify, cleanse, improve air quality, and invigorate the body. A natural ionizer!
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Produce harmful black soot that leaves streaks of black residue and stains home interior surfaces.
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9. Hypo-allergenic, benefit those with environmental allergies, sensitivities, and asthma.
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Are to be avoided by those with allergies or asthma conditions.
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10. Originate from a renewable fuel – beeswax.
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Originate from a non-renewable resource – petroleum.
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