Therapeutic scents

Local women create eco-friendly candles that soothe and rejuvenate

By Avery Yale Kamila

2007-08-28

Any mom with little kids in the house knows that finding ways to relax after a hectic day or figuring out how to get a boost when energy levels are running low is essential. And if you can do it naturally, even better. This is why friends Jen Belesca and Vicki Todd, who have four boys between them, decided to create the Island Essentials candle company.

Their aromatherapy candles are made from pure essential oils without any chemical fragrances. These essential oils are added to petroleum-free soy wax and poured into recyclable tins. All of the wicks are lead-free and the dyes are eco-friendly.

“We started making candles because we both loved burning candles but always felt the onset of headaches from their strong scents,” says Belesca.

Island Essentials’ current scents include rosemary lemongrass, lavender grapefruit, cinnamon orange, peppermint clove, bergamot lime, lemon coriander, black spruce fir and pink grapefruit. Each scent has a specific influence on mood, such as calming from the bergamot lime and revitalizing from the rosemary lemongrass.

All the candles are made by hand on Chebeague Island and come in six ounce ($9.50) and 16 ounce ($16.50) sizes. A portion of all the proceeds supports breast cancer research. Look for the candles at Allen Sterling & Lothrup in Falmouth, Soma Home & Body in South Portland or by emailing islandessentials@chebeague.net.