Can You Burn Tea Tree Oil In A Candle?
Introducing Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is an essential oil derived from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia, a tree native to Queensland and New South Wales, Australia [1]. The oil is extracted through steam distillation of the leaves and contains various compounds that have been shown to have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
The Aborigines of Australia have long used tea tree leaves for medicinal purposes. They would inhale the oils from crushed leaves to treat coughs and colds or apply leaves directly to the skin for healing. It wasn’t until the 1920s that tea tree oil started being officially examined for its antimicrobial effects.
Today, tea tree oil is commonly used as a topical antiseptic and anti-fungal treatment. It’s also a popular ingredient in soaps, shampoos, skin care products, and household cleaning products.
Benefits and Uses of Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has many beneficial properties and uses. It is well-known for its antimicrobial effects that help fight infections and aid in wound healing. According to studies, tea tree oil exhibits antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties (source).
Due to its antimicrobial properties, tea tree oil is commonly used to treat skin conditions such as acne, athlete’s foot, and dandruff. It can help reduce redness, swelling, and inflammation associated with these conditions. Applying diluted tea tree oil to the skin has been shown to kill fungus and bacteria that can lead to infections (source).
In terms of hair care, tea tree oil is often added to shampoos and conditioners. It can help unclog hair follicles and stimulate hair growth by removing dead skin cells. The anti-inflammatory properties also help soothe irritation and flaking of the scalp caused by dandruff (source).
For aromatherapy purposes, tea tree oil is frequently used in diffusers. Its pleasant herbal smell can help create a calming and relaxing environment. Inhaling diffused tea tree oil may also help relieve cough and congestion symptoms.
Making Candles with Essential Oils
Essential oils can be added to candle wax to create pleasant scents when burning candles. When adding essential oils to candle wax, it’s important to remember that the oils can evaporate quickly when heated. Therefore, essential oils should be added at lower temperatures before pouring the wax into containers.
The typical usage is around 3% essential oil to wax ratio. For example, with 454g of soy wax, you would add around 13-14ml of essential oil. Adding too much essential oil can cause issues with scent throw or lead to oil pools on top of the wax. Start with lower amounts and increase slowly when experimenting with new oils.
Essential oils added to candles serve two purposes – fragrance and aromatherapy benefits when burning. Oils like lavender or eucalyptus can provide calming or refreshing scents when used in candles. However, the aromatherapy benefits will be relatively minor unless the candle is specifically designed for that purpose. The scent from burning candles comes more from wax evaporation versus essential oil evaporation.
When selecting oils, avoid using citrus, pine, cinnamon, or clove oils as they may negatively interact with the wax. Opt for gentle oils like lavender, chamomile, vanilla, or sandalwood when making candles. Always research an oil’s flashpoint temperature before adding it to melted wax.
Further reading:
https://www.thehealthymaven.com/homemade-aromatherapy-candles/
https://cosyowl.com/guides/how-to-make-essential-oil-candles
Is Tea Tree Oil Safe to Burn?
Tea tree oil has a relatively high flash point of 160-230°F (71-110°C), which means it isn’t considered highly flammable. However, there are some safety factors to consider when burning tea tree oil in candles:
Toxicity – Tea tree oil can release potentially toxic chemicals like benzene and toluene when burned, especially at high concentrations. It’s best to avoid burning pure tea tree oil and instead use diluted blends.
Irritation – The smoke from burning tea tree oil can be irritating to eyes, nose, throat, and lungs for some people. Proper ventilation is key.
Allergies – Those with allergy or sensitivity to tea tree oil may experience reactions from breathing in the scent. Test a small amount first.
Dosage – Inhaling large amounts of diffused tea tree oil can potentially cause side effects. Use sparingly in candle blends.
Overall, with proper dilution, ventilation, and limited exposure, burning small amounts of tea tree oil in candles is generally considered safe. But it’s best to take precautions and monitor for any adverse reactions.
Recommended Usage
When using tea tree oil in candles, it’s important to dilute it properly for safety. Pure tea tree oil can be quite strong and irritating when burned. According to CandleScience.com, the recommended usage is 6-9% of the total candle wax weight.
It’s also advised to use larger candle wicks when making tea tree oil candles. The larger wick helps ensure proper melting and an even burn. Smaller wicks may clog and produce more soot.
Proper ventilation is key when burning any scented candle, but especially those with essential oils like tea tree. Always keep the candle away from drafts which can disrupt the burn. Burn the candle in a large open room, and crack a window to allow the scent and smoke to dissipate.
By following these recommendations, tea tree oil can be safely used to create aromatic and therapeutic candles. But moderation and care should be taken to prevent issues.
Candle Wax Types
When making candles with essential oils, the type of candle wax you use is important. Here are some of the most common candle wax types and how they perform with essential oils:
Soy Wax – Soy wax is a vegetable-based wax made from soybeans. It is a popular choice for essential oil candles because it has a low melting point and allows fragrance oils to evenly disperse. Soy wax also produces a smooth surface finish on candles. Some drawbacks are that soy wax does not hold scent as long as paraffin and can develop frosting on the candle surface over time. (https://suffolkcandles.co.uk/blogs/candles/best-candle-wax-for-essential-oils)
Paraffin Wax – Paraffin wax is a petroleum-based wax made from refined oil. It is excellent at retaining scent throw and allows oils to evenly distribute. The high melting point of paraffin makes it suitable for wax melts and votive candles. However, paraffin can release more soot than soy or beeswax when burned. (https://nikura.com/blogs/discover/best-wax-for-candles)
Beeswax – Beeswax is a natural wax produced by honeybees. It has a sweet, honey-like scent that can pair nicely with some essential oils like lavender or chamomile. Beeswax candles have excellent burn quality and provide a strong scent. The drawback is beeswax is expensive and difficult to work with compared to soy or paraffin.
Tea Tree Oil Candle Recipes
There are many great tea tree oil candle recipes that allow you to harness the benefits of this essential oil. Popular recipes include:
Tea tree and citronella all-season candle: A simple soy candle recipe calls for 3 tablespoons soy wax, 1 tablespoon beeswax, 1 tablespoon coconut oil, 15 drops tea tree oil, 15 drops citronella oil, and 1-3 wicks. Melt the wax, oils, and beeswax together and add the essential oils. Pour into a glass container and add wicks before cooling (source: https://www.doterra.com).
Tea tree and eucalyptus cold and flu candle: Combine 1 cup soy wax flakes, 1/4 cup coconut oil, 2 tablespoons dried eucalyptus leaves, 15 drops tea tree oil, and 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil. Melt together, pour into a container, and add a wick (source: https://www.quora.com).
Lavender and tea tree relaxing candle: Mix 1/2 cup soy wax, 1/2 cup beeswax, 2 tablespoons coconut oil, 20 drops lavender oil, and 10 drops tea tree oil. Pour into jars and add wicks. Allows you to blend the benefits of lavender and tea tree (source: https://www.quora.com).
Experiment with different tea tree oil blends and wax types for custom aromatic candles.
Storing Tea Tree Oil Candles
Proper storage is important for maximizing the shelf life and potency of tea tree oil candles. Unlike regular candles, the essential oils in tea tree oil candles can evaporate or degrade over time if not stored correctly.
Tea tree oil candles should be stored in a cool, dark place away from direct light and heat sources like sunlight or ovens which can cause the essential oils to evaporate more quickly. A pantry, cupboard, or drawer is an ideal storage place. Storing the candles in an airtight container like a candle tin or glass jar can help preserve the scent and shelf life as well.
Glass and metal containers are recommended over plastic which can absorb some of the essential oils over time. Dark colored containers are also preferable as light can break down essential oils. Properly stored, tea tree oil candles can last 6-12 months before opening.
Once opened, it’s best to burn tea tree oil candles within 3-6 months before the essential oils lose their potency. Burning the candle for at least 2 hours each time can help prevent tunneling.
When not in use, make sure to trim the wick, extinguish the flame fully, and replace the lid tightly to maximize burn time. Avoid storing tea tree oil candles in very cold places like the refrigerator as this can cause wax contraction issues.
Precautions
Burning tea tree oil candles can be risky for certain groups of people, so it’s important to be aware of potential allergic reactions or health hazards before lighting one. Some key precautions include:
Allergies – Tea tree oil can trigger allergic reactions in some people, especially those with sensitivity to other botanical ingredients. Diffusing large amounts of tea tree oil in a candle may lead to allergy symptoms like rashes, hives, difficulty breathing, etc. It’s a good idea to do a skin patch test before burning a tea tree oil candle to check for any reaction. Start with a small amount of diluted oil on the skin.
Pregnant women – According to CandleScience, tea tree oil candles are not recommended for pregnant women as tea tree oil can be toxic if ingested. Inhaling diffused tea tree oil is likely safe in small amounts, but burning large, highly concentrated tea tree oil candles frequently may pose a risk.
Pets – Tea tree oil can be toxic for cats and dogs if directly ingested or applied to the skin in large quantities. Burning tea tree oil candles often may lead to nausea, weakness, and other symptoms in pets who inhale the diffused oil. It’s best to avoid using tea tree candles regularly around cats and dogs.
Conclusion
In summary, tea tree oil can be safely used in candles when following proper usage guidelines. The key benefits of tea tree oil include its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties, making it useful for aromatherapy candles. When making your own candles, limit tea tree oil to 1% or less of the wax volume and always use a candle wax with a high melting point. Store tea tree oil candles properly and keep away from children and pets. With the right precautions, tea tree oil can provide an invigorating and soothing scent when burned in candles.
When burning any essential oil, it’s important to be aware of proper usage and safety precautions. But with some care, tea tree oil can be an excellent addition to homemade candles. Its clean, medicinal aroma can create an uplifting environment and provide various aromatherapy benefits. If crafted and used responsibly, tea tree oil candles can be a safe and enjoyable way to experience this versatile essential oil.
