A friend of mine named Charlene, who runs an aromatherapy course in Lincoln, Nebraska, told me a story about a young man who had just joined the course and was raring to go because he had read so much about aromatherapy. It was Charlenes practice to light an aromatherapy candle at the beginning of every session and ask the participants what the fragrance reminded them of. As it happened, she was using a lavender candle and asked the young man what he could smell. He took a deep breath, and with a look of great disappointment on his face, said, Room freshener!

I never found out what he was expecting, Charlene later told me. With apologies for this initial digression, I think the young man got it at least partially right. Aromatherapy candles are a room freshener par excellence, because they keep a room smelling exquisite for hours together. However, what makes them even better is that they have therapeutic effects on the mind and body.

Why is that? Well, aromatherapy candles are made of wax laced with essential oils from certain aromatic plants, so that as the wax melts, the molecules of the plant extract are diffused into the environment, thus creating a heavenly fragrance.

So which are the plants from which aromatherapy candles draw their fragrances? The answer is not exactly straightforward, since any or more than one part of a particular plant may be the source of the fragrance. But that minor complication apart, lavender is the most popular oil when it comes to aromatherapy candles. That does not mean you dont have a wide enough choice, given the speed with which the popularity of aromatherapy is increasing.

According to aromatherapy practitioners like Charlene, there are candles to suit all moods. So if you are suffering from insomnia, light sage, chamomile, and ylang ylang candles next to your bath. Those suffering from depression should try rosemary and grapefruit aromatherapy candles, while all-purpose aromatherapy candles contain extracts of sandalwood, eucalyptus, geranium, peppermint, and many other plants. However, you may very well find that reactions vary from person to person, so it is best not to generalize if you are using a candle for therapy. Consult an expert first.

In addition to aromas, these candles are also available in a vast array of shapes and sizes. So you can go for a floating, pillar, gel, votive or jar candle. In addition, if you feel up to it, you can prepare a personalized aromatherapy candle at home by mixing and matching several aromas. To get you started, try a blend of cinnamon, clove and nutmeg. An alternative could be a refreshing and stimulating mix of peppermint, lemon, and rosemary. Dont forget to write in with the results!