Beeswax Candles May Have Health Benefits
Beeswax candles are believed to produce negative ions as they burn. However, during our research we have found no published scientific evidence to date that directly proves this. Many of us experience an uplifting mood when burning beeswax candles and it’s been generally concluded that this feeling is caused by the negative ions.
“Generally speaking, negative ions increase the flow of oxygen to the brain, resulting in higher alertness, decreasing drowsiness, and more mental energy,” says Pierce J Howard, PhD, director of research at the Center for Applied Cognitive Sciences.
Negative ions are most commonly found near moving water, such as crashing waves, thunderstorms, and waterfalls. The moving water causes the surrounding air to move and that along with sunlight and radiation breaks apart molecules of air. The broken pieces end up with extra electrons making them negative ions.
Most particles in the air have a positive charge. Negative ions and positively charged particles magnetically attract to each another. This causes the particle to become too heavy to remain airborne. As a result, the particle will fall out of the air and can be collected by normal cleaning activities, such as vacuuming or dusting. This action can help purify your air, cleaning the air of pollen, dust, dander, and odors.
Negative ions are believed to produce biochemical reactions that increase levels of the mood chemical serotonin, helping to alleviate depression, relieve stress, and boost our daytime energy. Research is still being done, but the presence of negative ions has been found to relieve depression as much as antidepressants in a study by Columbia University. It is believed that negative ions result in increased serotonin levels that reduce depression and stress. Negative ions can make you feel better, but the effect depends on the person. Approximately 1 in 3 is quite sensitive to their effects while a some notice very little difference.
It would seem that negative ions have the possibility to make our surroundings better for our well being. If you aren’t one of those affected by negative ions, you can still enjoy the beauty and relaxing candle lit atmosphere provided by a beeswax candle.