It's hard to imagine long winter evenings or summer afternoons in the garden without a pleasantly warm candle flame embracing us. But do we ever realize what our candles are made of?

There are many possibilities today. Candles are made of many raw materials. In most cases on our market, however, we are dealing with paraffin candles. Paraffin is a by-product of production waste in the fractionation of petroleum gasoline.

On the market you will also find candles made of vegetable waxes, such as soy or rapeseed candles. These waxes come from renewable raw material sources. Most natural waxes come from the USA. They usually burn 2.5 times longer than paraffin.

On the market you will also find candles made of beeswax, which, unfortunately, is often mixed with paraffin, due to the high cost of raw materials.

SO WHAT ABOUT THIS PARAFFIN?

Paraffin wax is received from crude oil, lignite or shale tar, peat or synthetically.

Most likely, in order to save money, most products for the candle industry are made from waste from the oil refining process. Additionally, most of the cheap candles on the market are artificially colored and flavored. These are synthetic substances, which means that we are additionally exposed to volatile organic compounds during their combustion (burning). These substances are used in candles because they are cheaper than e.g. natural essential oils.

Tests on the products of paraffin candle combustion conducted by the American Chemical Society in the USA have shown that paraffin candles burned in closed, unventilated rooms produce harmful substances, including toluene and benzene. These chemicals are carcinogenic and toxic to our body and can cause dizziness and headaches. In addition, the soot from burning paraffin candles is similar to that which is formed from secretions from the exhaust pipe of a diesel car. However, that's not all. In addition to the paraffin itself, many wicks have a metal core that contains zinc, tin or lead, which emits harmful toxins into the air.

Fine lead particles in the atmosphere can irritate and damage the lungs, resulting in impaired breathing, most commonly in the form of asthma or one of the lung diseases.

Wicks of this type are commonly used in candles imported from China, where other legal regulations apply. These candles are extremely attractive in price and, unfortunately, they often stay in our homes, threatening our health.

FOR THE LOVE OF CANDLES

It was among one of these and many other reasons that I stopped using paraffin candles for myself. The love for candles gave rise to the need to find a safer and healthier alternative. This is how my adventure with making candles for my own use from natural plant waxes began. Soon I started making candles for my friends and soon I had to wait for friends of friends to come forward :-). Now I am happy to share my passion with you as well.

LITTLE BIG GESTURES

Through my products, I aim to take part in keeping the harmony in the world of humans, plants, animals and stones.

All candles are made with ecological wax and natural essential oils.

I reduce the amount of harmful waste to minimise adverse impact on the environment.

These seemingly small gestures mean a lot on our way to improve the state of nature. Even the tiniest actions count.

By choosing candles from Light of Hummingbird, you are doing good to our planet, too.