EO in Candles Kill Bacteria

[Guest guest]

Study from the University of South Hampton:

 

Candles with Essential Oils Kill Bacteria

 

Researchers Dr Lindsey Gaunt and Sabrina Higgins from the University of

Southampton have found that adding essential oils, such as eucalyptus,

orange, litsea and thyme to candles can destroy bacteria, such as

Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (staph) on

surfaces. The findings that adding essential oils to candles could be as

effective as scrubbing with disinfectants were unveiled at the sixth

joint symposium of the International Electrostatics Society of Japan and

the Electrostatics Society of America conference in Tokyo (Nov 7-10, 2004).

 

The scientists used essential oils of orange, palmarosa, may chang,

thyme, and an element of tea tree oil called beta-pinene, which when

dispersed into the air and combined with the ions produced in the candle

flame, all have a powerful bactericidal effect.

 

This unique combination of essential oils and electrical ions has

demonstrated a remarkably powerful bactericidal action, with up to

nearly 100 per cent bacteria kill.

 

For comparison, the researchers also tested plain wax candles without

essential oils and evaporated essential oils in water on a hot plate. In

contrast with the essential oil containing candles, the plain wax candle

had no effect on bacteria, and vapor created by the essential oil alone

also had little to no impact on the surface bacteria.

 

The candle flame and essential oil components appear to work together

for a sterilizing effect, say the researchers. The researchers believe

that the oils react with ions in the wick and with oxygen to take on

anti-bacterial properties.

 

They said adding these essential oils to candles could help people to

easily and conveniently kill bacteria lurking in their homes.

The researchers are planning further studies to see if essential oil

laden candles are effective against the super bug MRSA among other

strains of bacteria.

 

Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by the

University of South Hampton for journalists and other members of the

public. If you wish to see the news releases see The University of South

Hampton as the original source.

[Guest guest]

Very interesting, Butch!! I swore I would never venture into candles and that

is now where I find myself!! It has pulled me away from essential oils because

I did not want to waste them. Now I am thinking a different thought. Soooooo .

.. . . feels like an experiment coming on. LOL!! I would love to see an in

depth discussion about this. I use a 98% soy base wax . . .

 

When I get this business account looking more healthy, I am visiting your site

again. I am running low on a few EOs and need to replace them with yours.

Unfortunately I went through a 6 month severe depression and could not focus on

my business. Now I am back and working hard to get things back on track.

 

How is the baby, Butch? I think a picture or two would be terrific!!!

-Helen

Study from the University of South Hampton:

 

Candles with Essential Oils Kill Bacteria

 

 

[Guest guest]

For those of you who might make EO candles, can someone give me an idea of what

% of essential oil you would add - say to a pound of wax, or point me to where I

might find this information. I'd like to try makeing EO candles (on a very smal

scale) - maybe just making votives to begin. Thanks. Lin

 

Steven Allensworth <worth249 wrote: Very interesting, Butch!! I

swore I would never venture into candles and that is now where I find myself!!

It has pulled me away from essential oils because I did not want to waste them.

Now I am thinking a different thought. Soooooo . . . . feels like an experiment

coming on. LOL!! I would love to see an in depth discussion about this. I

use a 98% soy base wax . . .

 

When I get this business account looking more healthy, I am visiting your site

again. I am running low on a few EOs and need to replace them with yours.

Unfortunately I went through a 6 month severe depression and could not focus on

my business. Now I am back and working hard to get things back on track.

 

How is the baby, Butch? I think a picture or two would be terrific!!!

-Helen

Study from the University of South Hampton:

 

Candles with Essential Oils Kill Bacteria