Earthy Sandalwood Incense Sticks

One of the oldest and most common aromatherapy and medication tools is sandalwood incense.  It has been used for at least 4000 years.  It is one of the most preferred incense for meditation because of its calming effect.

Sandalwood comes from the sandal tree that almost grows exclusively in the forest of Karnataka, a state in Southwest India.  It is also found in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh.  The tree is grown until it reaches its full maturity after 60 to 80 years.  The tree is then uprooted during the rainy season when the roots are rich in precious essential oil.

Loose powder and incense sticks are the two primary forms of sandalwood incense.  Sandalwood is ground into a powder which can later be burned as incense over hot charcoal or any other source of heat.  The powder can also be mixed with water that can be turned into a thick paste and then rolled into a stick.   These sticks can later be burned so that the sandalwood aroma can be released.

MiKeRa Sandalwood Incense Sticks
& Metal Burner Box Gift Set

Sandalwood Incense Sticks Wonders

Sandalwood incense sticks produce a sweet and slightly earthy smell when lit.  The aromatic scent of sandalwood helps you relax your mind, bringing you a feeling of peace and serenity just like the scent of lavender.  It reduces aggression and irritability.    

It is thought to be an aphrodisiac.  Some claim that it can boost a person's sexual appetite.  This is a perfect incense stick to light up when you're trying to set a romantic mood with your wife or husband.

KARMA SENSES Sandalwood Incense Sticks,
Cones & Carved Wooden Burner Box Gift Set

Many people who practice Hinduism and Buddhism use this scent in meditating.  It lets you drift your mind to a more spiritual surrounding. 

Even those who practice witchcraft or pagan magic believed that the scent of sandalwood has magical properties so it is often used in different rituals.  It is said to promote spiritual awareness and can drive demons and evil ghosts.  This is also used for protection and astral projection.

The wonders of sandalwood incense sticks don't end there.  It has a healing aroma that can ease different ailments on one’s digestive system.  It stimulates the production of urine causing the muscles to contract and flush the excess liquid like mucus, out of your body.  It encourages your body to produce gastric juices that helps reduce colic, nausea and gastritis.  Because of its healing property, sandalwood incense sticks are burned during an Indian natural healing tradition called Ayurveda.  Natural antiseptics are released into the air when the incense sticks are lit.

 

KARMA SENSES Sandalwood
Incense Sticks x 20 Pack

KARMA SENSES Sandalwood & Vanilla Frost
Incense Sticks & Holder Gift Set

KARMA SENSES Sandalwood Incense
Sticks & Holder Gift Set

Feng Shui and Candles

Chinese or non-Chinese, people are now getting into the Feng Shui craze.  But what is Feng Shui?

                              

Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese’ art of decorating your homes in such a way that positive energy is harnessed.  The house or the room is positively transformed and energized so that anyone who enters will be affected visually and emotionally.  The five elements -- fire, earth, water, metal and wood -- and how they interact with each other determines whether it is positive or negative energy is flowing within.  In Feng Shui, you are not only looking at the layout of the house but also the decors used and how they are positioned at home.  The goal is to increase the positive energy inside the house and to make the space more comfortable and enjoyable.

Do you know that candles play a role in Feng Shui?  You would have thought that the presence of candles, its colors and its scent are only used in aromatherapy practice.  Think again.  In Feng Shui, candles represent the fire energy.  This energy is considered the strongest in summer.  They can be the fire energy that is missing in your space.  When decorating with candles, you have to consider three things -- the location, color and the fragrance.

Location.  One very important tool in Feng Shui is the Bagua map.  It is an octagonal map that is used as a guide depending on what kind of aspect you want your life to improve on.  Do you want your career to flourish?  Place the candles on the North part of your room.  Do you want fame?  Then south is where the candles should be.

MiKeRa Green Coloured 'Apple Marini'
Scented Soy Candle

MiKeRa White 'Coconut Rum'
Scented Soy Candle

KARMA SENSES red coloured 'Strawberry Ice'
Scented Soy Candle

Colors and Fragrance.  The colors of the candle that you use makes all the difference too because each colors (or scents) mean different things.  For example, green represents healing and new growth especially when combined with the scent of eucalyptus.  It also represents wealth because it is considered as the color of money.  Red on the other hand, is the color of passion; of love and lust.  A red-colored candle with an apple or cinnamon scent that is lit in the South part of your house can bring you the fame that you wanted.

KARMA SENSES yellow coloured 'Lemongrass tea'
Scented Soy Candle

Feng Shui is somehow like aromatherapy practice.  You identify which end results you want to have and study the different scents and colors and how it affects you and your overall environment.  Believe me, it gets easier each time.

Have you used Feng Shui at home too?  We’d love to hear from you.

MiKeRa Orange coloured 'Tangerine Delight'
scented CoCoSoy candle

MiKeRa blue coloured 'Ocean Breeze'
scented palm wax candle

Romance and Aromatherapy

The effects of aromatherapy are simply amazing.  It does a lot to improve our mental and emotional well-being.  Did you notice that when you are surrounded with a pleasant smell?  When you dab your sweet smelling perfume on your wrist, it somehow takes you to that happy place.  That’s how powerful our sense of smell is and it plays a very important role in practicing aromatherapy.

There are several essential oils that are used to initiate a romantic mood.  We have to admit that sometimes our schedule gets so crazy at work that our relationship with our love ones takes a back seat.  Either we’re too tired or we’re too busy thinking about other things.  Most couples spend a lot of their hard earned cash on vacations and couples therapy when in fact there is a more affordable way of rekindling that romance and get your relationships back on track.  You bet there are ways in spicing up your romantic life.

KasseL UltraGlow decorative premium candles
Rose Scented

Love Scents

Rose has long been used as the symbol of love.  You see them being given out to women during courting stage and it is the most common flower being given out during Valentine's Day.  Its seductive floral fragrance can evoke the feeling of love and affection.

Other scents that are also known as aphrodisiacs are lavender, sandalwood and vanilla.

KasseL UltraGlow decorative premium candles
Rose Scented

Utilizing Aromatherapy

One perfect way to start a romantic evening is by switching off the lights and burning scented candles.  Aside from filling the room with its pleasant smell, the light emanating from them brings about that romantic mood.  When you choose to go this route, make sure that you only get candles that are of high quality.

Dispersing the essential oil into the air is another way of getting you started.  Use one of those fragrant reed diffusers and make sure that you use the essential oils that evoke the "love feeling."  You can also use fragrance sprays and spray it on your sheets, lingerie or blankets.

Have fun with the essential oils and add them on to the bath water.  Then take a bath together, relax and enjoy each other's company. If that will not bring back the spark, I don't know what will.  And after your bath, you can give each other a massage while basking in the glow of the scented candles.

May I just add too that you turn everything off -- your phones, your laptop, tablets, and focus on each other? 

Candles as Christmas Gifts

The countdown to Christmas has finally begun and I’m sure you already have your list of who you will be giving gifts to.  Let me guess.  I’m pretty sure that the names of family members, friends, colleagues and even neighbors are there.  Creating a list is just the start.  The most challenging part would be thinking about which gift to give them that will fit your budget.

Candles are one of the best gifts that anyone can think of giving this Christmas.  Some would argue and say that people give candles as gifts only because they couldn’t think of anything else.  I say, it’s not entirely true.  They have you in mind that’s why they got you that gift.  Perhaps you still haven’t realized yet how much a candle can alter your outlook and your mood especially if you got one of those scented ones.  The quality essential oils mixed in the candle wax can make you feel more calm and relaxed.  Your friend may be thinking that you deserve a stress-free time that’s why she gave you that gift.  Now, isn’t that thoughtful?

If you are considering giving candles to your friends, family members or colleagues, we’ve listed a few Christmas gift ideas that you can use or modify depending on who you will be giving the gift to.

KasseL Decorative candles
contain real botanicals

KARMA SENSES Vanilla coated pillar candle pack

• Decorative Candles.  What’s great about giving decorative candles is that it is extremely beautiful as it is.  You don’t have to do much.  This is a great gift for someone who loves candles and who have a handful of them at home.  They make great ornaments and centerpieces.
  
  

• Bath Basket.  Create this bath basket for your lady friends.  Get a few scented candles, a bubble bath, colorful bath sponge and a towel. Arrange everything in one small basket and tie a beautiful ribbon.  Make it extra cute by adding a small stuffed animal in the center.  This can be a great gift for couples too.
  

KasseL AquaGel candles also make an
attractive lantern after burning has finished

• Romantic Gift Basket.  Instead of giving two separate gifts for your friends who are couples, why not create a romantic gift basket that both of them can enjoy?  In a small wicker basket you can arrange a romantic CD, a few candles, a pack of incense stick or aromatherapy diffuser and massage oil that they can use for their romantic getaway.  We highly recommend the vanilla scent or rose scent because this invokes the feeling of love.  

No matter what you give this Christmas - candles, clothes or any other item, the important thing is that it should come from the heart.

Fruity Fragrances of Summer

There are a lot of things to look forward in the summer season.  I look forward to lounging on the beach getting my tan.  I love the feel of the sand on my toes and the wind in my hair.  And what about the scent of freshly cut grass, the ocean, and the sweet scented fruits and flowers?  I can imagine smelling them forever. These are just some of the things that remind me so much of summer.

You too can bring some of these scents at home through the different summer scented fruit scents of our candles and aroma diffusers.  We made sure that we have enough variety for you to choose from:

MiKeRa Incense, Candle & Holder Gift Set

Cherry Blossom.  Cherry blossom is a flower from the genus Prunus tree. It has a sweet and light floral fragrance that can uplift your spirits.  Because of its scent, it is used as inspiration for several perfumes and body fragrances like the Cherry Blossom from Bath and Body Works.  You can bring the scent of this flower to your home environment through the MiKeRa Incense Sticks, Candle and Metal Holder Gift set.

MiKeRa Natural Palm Wax Pillar Candle

Blackberry.  Blackberry is a fruit that is often used in jams, desserts and even wines.  Because of its sumptuous, delicious and juicy scent, it is widely used as inspiration for several fragrances like Wonderstruck by Taylor Swift.  Get lost in this beautiful fragrance at home, by getting yourself one of MiKeRa’s blackberry ripple palm candles.

Strawberry.  Another scent that reminds me so much of summer is strawberry. This juicy fruit has a sweet smell that does wonders to our nervous system.  It calms and strengthens the mind that helps you fight over stress and sleeplessness.  Enjoy Karma Senses strawberry ice soy candles in glass jars or MiKeRa’s strawberry crush palm wax candles at home.  I’m sure you’ll never have to worry about not having enough rest or sleep.

KARMA SENSES natural soy candle in
large glass bell jar

MiKeRa Natural Palm wax candles
in Ceramic Pots

MiKeRa Peach Nectar Reed Diffuser

Peach.  Peaches are fruits that are native to China.  It is also used in desserts.  This fruit is used as a source of inspiration for body care products and other high end perfumes like Chanel’s Coco.  Get introduced to its sweet smell with MiKeRa’s peach nectar patterned aroma reed diffuser.

KARMA SENSES natural soy candle in
large glass bell jar

Mango.  Definitely my all-time favorite tropical fruit because of its aromatic scent and it’s a very delicious fruit.  I just get energized every time I get a whiff of it.  If you want to fall in love with its scent, try Karma Senses Mango sorbet natural soy candles and escape to a summer hideaway each time.

MiKeRa CoCoSoy Candle
Juicy Currant Scented

Currant.  The smooth and sumptious scent of currant is seen in the highly fragranced MiKeRa juicy currant CoCoSoy candles. Indulge yourself in this fresh, sweet and earthy fragrance.

MiKeRa CoCoSoy Candle
Passionfruit Crush Scented

Passionfruit. The sweet and tangy tropical scent of passionfruit will take you straight to summer. Bring summer to your home everyday with highly scented MiKeRa passionfruit crush CoCoSoy candles.

We want to know, what’s your favourite summer fruit scent?

Nice New Soy Candle Ranges

I’ve had my favorite scents and I’ve been quite loyal about them.  At the same time, I also want to be introduced to new scents especially in candles.  That’s why I’m so excited to bring to you new soy candle ranges from MiKeRa; MiKeRa ambience ‘forest secrets’. It comes in two sizes and features high quality sophisticated shaped glass, natural soy wax, pure cotton wicks, essential oils, and coloured lids with attractive designs. The scents are fresh new forest scents that will take you away to a luscious forest, revitalizing your senses and raising your spirits.

Our new range includes the scents; Deep Mint, Lavender Mist, Lemongrass Ice, Mountain Wattle, Snow Eucalyptus, Winter Rose. Here is a description of two of the six forest scents:

Snow Eucalyptus. 

Eucalyptus leaves

Eucalyptus is one of the tallest and fastest growing trees that originated in Australia.  It was introduced in 1867 during the Paris exposition when the director of botanical gardens suggested that the eucalyptus oil could be a good alternative for cajuput oil because it also possesses an antiseptic property.  Aside from its antiseptic property, it is also antibacterial and antiviral.  It helps clear mucus from the lungs.  It relieves rheumatic and arthritic pain and it can be used as a liniment.

New MiKeRa ambience soy candle range
'forest secrets' - Snow Eucalyptus

When one is exposed to the eucalyptus scent, the brain wave activity increases and it counters both physical and mental fatigue.  If you need something that could increase your energy, eucalyptus can be the answer.  You can light one of MiKeRa snow eucalyptus-scented candles and get rid of your fatigue.

Mountain Wattle.

Fragrant Wattle branch with flowers

In Australia, acacia trees are known as wattles. In certain areas of the world, they are called Mimosa. Over 1000 wattle trees are grown in Australia and they grow in the dry areas of the Great Dividing Range in New South Wales. They are also found in Victoria and in Tasmania.

This species varies in sizes, shapes and type.  The essential oils obtained from the tree are derived from the flowers and is used as a natural perfume.  The wattle essential oil can be used on its own or it can be blended with other perfumes. It has a rich, sweet yet woody aroma that can uplift your spirits and relax your mind and body.  It helps to relieve stress and it gives you that happy feeling.  Do you know that the scent of wattles can help calm noisy children?  I'd like to see that do its magic with my energetic toddler.

New MiKeRa ambience soy candle range
'forest secrets' - Mountain Wattle

You too can enjoy the scent of wattle with MiKeRa natural soy candles in Mountain Wattle Scent.  You can light them up in midday or on your quiet time before you go to bed to help you deal with stress so you can sleep well in the night.

What do you think of our new candle ranges? Have you tried them yet?

The Scent of Eucalyptus Mint

Two of the must-have essential oils at home are eucalyptus and peppermint.  These essential oils that were extracted from various plants have several therapeutic properties that make them useful for any household.

Eucalyptus

The eucalyptus essential oil is extracted from the eucalyptus plant. For years, the leaves of this plant were used by the Aborigines in Australia to disinfect the wounds and treat them for infection.  That's because it has a natural antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.  What's great about eucalyptus is its fresh and clean aroma that opens up your airways.  This scent is perfect for treating coughs, colds and congestion.  In addition to that, exposing yourself to its scent can help in treating mental exhaustion.

Eucalyptus essential oil can be used in different ways -- aromatically or topically. You can choose to diffuse it in the air, inhale it directly or apply it on to your skin with or without the combination of carrier oil.

Peppermint

Compared to other essential oils, the peppermint essential oil is more concentrated.  The peppermint plant is indigenous to Europe and is a cross between watermint and spearmint.

The peppermint essential oil has so many uses aside from just freshening your breath.  It has high menthol content and that gives that cooling sensation while alleviating discomfort.  The essential oils have antibacterial, antiviral, insecticidal and anti-inflammatory properties.  Peppermint essential oil is best in treating indigestion, colds/congestion, headache and stress.  It is also essential in heightening one's energy level.

Peppermint does more than providing relief to common health problems.  It can help you deal with ants too.  Put a couple of drops of peppermint essential oil on a cotton and put them directly into the pathway of the ants and they will for sure go away.  That’s because ants are not really big fans of the scent.

Mixing the Two

Mixing two essential oils is not something new.  Some people want to experiment with the essential oils they use and there are some oils that blend well with another.  One perfect example is the combination of eucalyptus and peppermint.

While the peppermint scent improves alertness and concentration, eucalyptus clears the mind.  If you are working on a project or an assignment, light you can choose to light a KARMA SENSES eucalyptus mint scented natural soy candle or a MiKeRa scented natural Palm wax pillar candle so you are able to focus well on your task at hand. And now, there is a fresh new range of soy candle in glass jars, 'forest secrets' which includes Deep Mint and Snow Eucalyptus scents, and they are unbelievably good. Light them up at the same time for an amazing hit of mint and eucalyptus.

Have you tried the eucalyptus mint scented pillar candles recently? Share with us your experience. 

MiKeRa 'forest secrets' natural soy candle
Snow Eucalyptus scent

MiKeRa 'forest secrets' natural soy candle
Deep Mint scent

MiKeRa scented palm wax pillar candle
Eucaluptus Mint scent

KARMA SENSES scented natural soy candle
Eucaluptus Mint scent

KARMA SENSES scented natural soy candle
Eucaluptus Mint scent

Outdoor Candle Decorating Ideas

Summer is almost here and I always look forward to then.  I like basking in the sun, wiggling my toes in the sand and getting a tan.  It is also the time when my friends, family and I would get together in the patio or in the garden, sharing stories over drinks and barbeque under the clear summer sky. 

How great is that?! It doesn’t get much better than summer times.

When it comes to decorating outside, I always seek the help of my trusted partner -- the candles.  You can never go wrong with them because they help create that beautiful atmosphere not just inside your home but outside as well. Plus, there are several ways in incorporating them with your outdoor decor so your guests can have that sense of enjoyment and relaxation.

Pillar Candles.  Use a range of different coloured and sized Pillar candles to decorate the garden and poolside. Bunch a few different sized pillar candles together and lay small stones or coloured glass beads at their base. Scatter around small arrangements and single candles, around the garden and poolside. Make sure the burning flames are not near anything flammable!

KARMA SENSES Scented Pillar Candles

Floating Candles.  Do you have a pond or pool? Add ambience to your pond or pool with some floating candles and a few flower petals, and even sit some floating candles and some fresh tropical flowers on top of lily pads.

KARMA SENSES Unscented Floating Candles

KARMA SENSES Unscented Floating Candles

Candle Lantern

Candle Lanterns.  They are perhaps one of my most favorite because they are such a versatile piece of decor.  You can hang them on trees if you plan to have your get together outside the garden.  You can place two or three candle lanterns of varying sizes on a patio table or you strategically place them on the floor.  This will surely set the mood.

MiKeRa Palm Wax Pillar Candle
with Frosted Glass Base

Candle Wall Scones.  If you have one of those at home, now is the perfect time to utilize those beauties.  They are very attractive and durable if the right wall mounting hardware is used. Perhaps the only limitation that you have is that they can only be limited to some areas outside since they need to be mounted.

Candle Centerpieces.  This is by far the easiest and this is where you can be most creative.  Creating one can be enjoyable because the ideas are endless.  You can get a big clear bowl filled with water, get a few floating candles, add flowers and throw in a few flower petals on the table and that can be perfect.

Another idea is to get a bowl and fill it halfway with white sand.  Put two or three different-sized candles and then add a few sea shells.  This will make a great summer-y feel.

The KasseL NatureGlow candles are perfect for decorating outdoors too because you don't need to do so much.  The candles are extremely beautiful as it is.  All you need is to get a really shallow bowl, fill it with sand and a few pebbles and then arrange them beautifully.

KasseL UltraGlow Candles & Decorative Sea Shells

How about you?  How do you decorate your outdoor space?