With the Holiday season upon us, the use of candles and various air fresheners to help create a warm and inviting home environment will undoubtedly increase. According to a recent survey by the National Candle Association, 79% of consumers use candles when entertaining or on holidays. While candles are unsurpassed in their ability to create ambient and inviting atmospheres, many of the candles on the market today are made with paraffin, a petroleum based ingredient, and these candles can release soot and other pollutants into the air. When researchers tested several scented air fresheners, they found that the chemicals used to make them contributed toxins to the indoor air.

1.    If you must light candles, use candles that are reported to be cleaner burning like 100% beeswax and soy candles. In most cases, unscented candles are preferred over scented ones.
2.    Place 5-10 drops of pure aromatherapy grade essential oil onto a cotton ball and place on top of floor vents being careful not to allow the cotton ball to drop into the vent. The air from your heating and cooling system will help to distribute the fragrance throughout the house. Use citrus scents to refresh and energize, spicy scents for the holidays, and floral scents like lavender to soothe and calm. You can find pure essential oils at your local health food store.    
3.    Use fresh evergreen wreaths and garlands where possible. Drape an aromatic natural evergreen bough or garland across the mantle, doorway, or along the dinner table. For a decorative touch, hot glue or wire, pine cones, holly berries, or fragrant lemon, eucalyptus, or bay leaves to the garland.
4.    Add a drop or two of aromatherapy grade essential oil to a pan of boiling water to help freshen and disinfect the air.
5.    Live potted plants like lavender, rosemary, and bay laurel will not only make your home smell heavenly, you can also use them while cooking. Transplant the potted plants to your outdoor garden when Spring arrives.
6.    Pomanders are economical and easy to make decorations. Create fragrant pomanders by inserting whole cloves into oranges or lemons. Attach a pretty ribbon to the top of the pomander for hanging.
7.    To create a warm and homey holiday environment, place 2 cinnamon sticks, a handful of whole cloves, 2-3 bay leaves, the peel of 1 orange and 1 lemon, and a dash of vanilla or 1 whole vanilla bean into a saucepan with enough water to cover ingredients. Allow to simmer on low heat and add water as needed during the day to refresh the aroma.
8.    Place a few drops of essential oils like pine, fir, orange, cedar, lavender, clove, or cinnamon leaf into an aromatherapy diffuser or lamp ring. Be sure to extinguish the heat source once enough heat has been produced to release the aromas into the air.
9.    A scented room and linen spray can be made by combining 4 ounces of water in a spray bottle with one of the following essential oil blend suggestions:
•4 drops of sweet orange essential oil, 4 drops of lemon essential oil, and 2 drops of peppermint essential oil.
•5 drops of eucalyptus essential oil, 3 drops of pine essential oil, and 2 drops of lemon essential oil.
•5 drops lavender oil and 5 drops of geranium essential oil.

10.    Make your own potpourri by harvesting fresh flowers from your garden or purchasing them dried from online or local sources. Adding a few drops of a complementary essential oil to the potpourri mix will help to freshen and prolong its fragrance.

Au Naturale Aromatherapy is an online retailer of natural body care and aromatherapy products. For more information, please visit www.au-naturale.com.