Honey is at the center of what we do.
Our journey to the Home Sweet Hive mission began with a drive to find a safer alternative to the harmful chemicals found in the majority of candle and scent products. Katie, a chronic headache sufferer, was disturbed by the correlation she found between the frequency of her headaches and household candles and other scent releasing products. After some research, the switch to safer, more natural products was shocking.
Most candles are made from a petroleum byproduct called paraffin. To create paraffin wax, petroleum waste is chemically bleached, deodorized, and made into wax. When burned, paraffin wax can release toxic volatile organic compounds into the air, including known carcinogens like alkenes, acetone, benzene, and toluene. These are the same chemicals found in diesel fuel emissions and are known to cause allergies, asthma attacks, and skin problems.
Safer, more natural alternatives include soy wax, beeswax, and coconut wax- all of which can be found in our candle selection!
Now, let’s focus on the benefits of our favorite- beeswax!
With an end goal of using honey and beeswax from our own farm, for now we are sticking to local bee farms for our honey products!
There are numerous health benefits surrounding burning beeswax candles. To name a few:
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Burning beeswax produces negative ions. These neutralize airborne pollutants, helping to remove dust, odors, and mold. This can especially benefit those who suffer from asthma or allergies. Because beeswax is a natural product, they do not produce any toxic byproducts when they burn.e
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Beeswax is made from natural and renewable ingredients that require no chemical processing. Therefore, they are compostable and biodegradable. Not to mention, bees play a vital role in our ecosystem, acting as highly efficient pollinators to food crops and flora.
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Because of beeswax’ higher melting point, the burn time is substantially longer than other alternatives. Burning beeswax also does not product any soot and they tend to drip less.
Last but not least, let’s talk about honey!
Honey has been used in ancient populations including Greeks, Chinese, Romans, Egyptians, Mayans, and Babylonians for nutritional and medicinal benefits. As the benefits of honey have been studied more intensely, let’s review a few of them here.
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People have been consuming honey for centuries orally to reduce cough and topically to treat burns and promote wound healing. Honey is an immune-modulatory agent with dual purpose, first suppressing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and second stimulating production of inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandins and cyclooxygenase-2.
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Honey has been studied to improve the cholinergic system which promotes blood flow to the brain. This includes antidepressant and anxiety benefits. It has also been found to help prevent memory disorders by utilizing the polyphenols in honey to counter inflammation in the hippocampus, the part of the brain involved in memory.
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Local honey contains pollen that strengthens a person’s immune system. Bees collect pollen from local plants, and when brought back to the hive, small amounts accumulate into the honey, allowing your body to adjust to local allergens each year.
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Honey acts as a prebiotic, promoting the population of probiotic bacteria that can help alleviate constipation and symptoms of ulcerative colitis.
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Honey consists of phytonutrients, or plant chemicals that act as antioxidants, which prevents cell damage and ultimately fights disease caused by oxidative stress.
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Micronutrient source. Honey contains the following vitamins and minerals: calcium, magnesium, manganese, niacin, pantothenic acid, phosphorus, potassium, riboflavin, and zinc.
