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If you’re looking for a DIY project, making your own candles is a great idea. They’re easy to make and there are many scents that you can have fun and play around with using the herbs and spices that you have in your kitchen and garden.
We recommend using natural wax such as soy wax or beeswax, as these don’t emit chemicals when you burn them. Although paraffin wax is cheap, it also emits harmful substances like benzene, which has been linked to respiratory diseases.
When it comes to wicks, don’t just use any old piece of string. You want to make sure it burns clean without producing loads of smoke. There are many types of wicks that all burn differently, whether it’s a zinc core, paper core, braided or single strand. Check out this online guide to candle wicks.
So whether you’re looking to decorate your home or make gifts for friends and family, here are our top picks for herbs and spices to use.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass is a tropical, grassy plant with a powerful, citrus scent. It’s used in cooking and herbal medicine, often found in soaps and personal care products. It’s a great addition to a homemade candle and you can even mix it with coconut oil for a refreshing, zingy, tropical scent. You can find lemongrass on our website here.
Lavender
Lavender is one of the best herbs to add to candles. The plant is known for its soothing and relaxing properties, and is found in all kinds of products, from cosmetics to body care. Lavender has a sweet, floral and earthy scent and is the perfect aroma to have in the bedroom before sleep, or bathroom as you soak away the day. Decorate your candle jar with dried lavender stems, gluing them to the sides of the jar with the hot wax. Try using our sweet and delicate French lavender here.
Rosemary
Originating from the Mediterranean, rosemary has a fresh, woody and pungent smell. It goes perfectly in candles as the scent can really wake up the room. Add fresh rosemary leaves to your wax, or for a stronger scent, crush the leaves up first. Fresh rosemary sprigs also make great decoration for your candle. Simply glue the sprigs to the inside of the jar under the wax line before pouring in your wax.
Thyme
Thyme has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties and is often used in bath and body products like soap, shampoo and face creams. It has a warming, spicy and herbaceous smell and works well in candles as it gives a fresh fragrance to the room. You can use either fresh or dried thyme. Our tip: if you’re drying fresh sprigs of thyme, make sure there’s plenty of air circulation so they don’t mold.
Nutmeg and Cinnamon
For a festive-themed candle, nutmeg and cinnamon are the best choices. These spices have a spicy, woody, peppery scent which is synonymous with Christmas. It’s the perfect warming scent for those cold autumn and winter nights. You can find ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg on our website.
