Aroma Lamps: Using Oils Other Than Traditional Options

Aromatherapy is a popular way to promote relaxation, and one way to enjoy it is through aroma lamps. Greenleaf offers aroma lamps and fragrance diffuser oil refills, but can other oils be used in Greenleaf aroma lamps? The answer is yes, but it is important to note that not all oils are suitable for use in aroma lamps. It is recommended to use essential oils that are derived from herbs and do not contain synthetic compounds. Popular choices include chamomile, lavender, lemon, and patchouli. When using essential oils in an aroma lamp, it is important to follow safety precautions, such as ensuring there is enough water to dilute the oil and regularly checking the lamp to prevent the oil from burning.

Olive oil is a smokeless, renewable fuel

Olive oil is a popular alternative to kerosene or lamp oil. It is a smokeless, odourless, renewable fuel. Lampante oil is the lowest quality of virgin olive oils and is not fit for human consumption without being refined. Olive oil is not usually suitable for wick-type lamps, but you can retrofit an olive oil lamp on your own.

Olive oil is a safe, renewable alternative to kerosene. It has low volatility due to its high flashpoint—it won't burn until it reaches 550°F. Burning olive oil also generates less smoke and leaves behind less soot than most other oils.

The key to burning olive oil is to keep the wick saturated at all times. The thickness of the oil affects the capillary action, so soaking the wick in oil before lighting it works best. Use wicks with a large weave or even tightly twisted strips of cotton cloth. You can also make a wick from a cotton swab. Dip the swab into the oil and then twist the oiled end off of the swab stick and shape it into a teardrop. Float the "teardrop" onto the oil and light.

Olive oil is a clean, renewable fuel that does not produce smoke or odour. It is more than 99% pure. If the wick is properly trimmed and there is no draft, it should not smoke. Each year, the renewable fuel oil supply is replenished by trees, which produce oxygen as they grow. No complex methods are needed to manufacture or refine the oil. Oil is simply pressed from olives, two-thirds of which is oil, and strained.

Used as a fuel, olive oil is not expensive. In general, it is cheaper to burn than most candles. The cost of burning an olive oil lamp depends on the size of the wick. The size of the flame and corresponding fuel consumption are determined by the size of the wick. If you spill your lit olive oil lamp on the floor, it will be smothered and not ignite.

Castor oil is a popular plant-based option

One of the benefits of using castor oil in your oil lamp is its consistency. Castor oil is thick in nature, allowing the lamp to burn for a longer period of time. This means you can enjoy your lamp's glow and fragrance without having to constantly refill it. The thickness of castor oil also contributes to a consistent burn, resulting in less residue buildup in your lamp. This makes cleaning and maintenance easier, ensuring your lamp remains in optimal condition.

Castor oil is also renowned for its calming and soothing properties. When used in an oil lamp, its aroma can promote a sense of peace and relaxation. This makes it an ideal choice for creating a tranquil atmosphere in your home or any space where you wish to foster a sense of serenity. The subtle fragrance of castor oil provides a gentle backdrop without overwhelming the senses.

Additionally, castor oil has spiritual significance in certain cultures. In Hinduism, for example, castor oil is used in Pooja and spiritual rituals. It is believed to bring positivity and is considered a remedy for ill effects associated with Saturn and Rahu in Hindu astrology. The use of castor oil in these rituals enhances the spiritual experience and is thought to promote purity, goodness, and power.

When using castor oil in your aroma lamp, it is important to follow general safety guidelines for oil lamps. Ensure you understand the mechanics and proper maintenance of your lamp to prevent any potential hazards. Always consult the manual or seek advice from a professional before using a new type of oil in your lamp.

Kerosene is cost-effective and bright

Kerosene is a cost-effective fuel source for lamps, especially when compared to other fossil fuels. It is also a bright burning option, though it is considered an inefficient producer of visible light. Kerosene lamps emit light at a rate of around 0.59% of their total radiation, which falls within the visible range of 380-750 nm. This is in contrast to sunlight, which emits around 44% of its radiation within the same range.

The brightness of a kerosene flame is such that it can be easily read by, and its luminous efficacy—a ratio of luminous power to power input—is estimated to be 0.65 lm/W. This is eight times higher than the value determined experimentally for a simple kerosene wick lamp (0.08 lm/W). The discrepancy is likely due to inefficient combustion in the case of the latter.

Kerosene is a popular fuel source in least developed and developing nations, where it is burned for cooking and lighting. However, it can be expensive, and exposure to combustion byproducts has been linked to negative economic and health consequences.

When used in oil lamps, kerosene is well-suited to essential oil additives. However, it is important not to add more than one teaspoon of essential oil per 8 ounces of kerosene.

Canola oil is derived from crushed rapeseed

Canola oil is a food-grade version of rapeseed oil, derived from crushing the seeds of rapeseed cultivars. Specifically, canola oil is extracted from cultivars of B. napus and B. rapa, which have been bred for low acid content.

Rapeseed is a member of the plant family Brassicaceae, which also includes cabbage, turnip, rutabaga (swede), Brussels sprouts, and mustard. The name "rapeseed" comes from the Latin word "rapum," meaning turnip.

Canola oil was developed through traditional cross-breeding techniques in the early 1970s by Keith Downey and Baldur R. Stefansson at the University of Manitoba, Canada. The goal was to create a variety of rapeseed oil with reduced levels of undesirable components, specifically glucosinolates and erucic acid. Erucic acid was believed to be toxic or inedible in high doses and was shown in laboratory studies to damage the cardiac muscle of animals.

The newly developed plant was renamed "canola," a portmanteau of "can" from Canada and "ola" from "oil," to distinguish it from natural rapeseed oil, which has a much higher erucic acid content. To be marketed as canola oil, it must contain less than 2% erucic acid by weight, as regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration and similar organisations in the EU.

The process of extracting canola oil involves slightly heating and then crushing the seeds. Commercially, almost all canola oil is then extracted using a hexane solvent, which is recovered at the end of the process. The oil is further refined using water precipitation and organic acid to remove impurities, and it may also be bleached to achieve a lighter colour.

Canola oil is widely used for cooking, baking, and food processing due to its high smoke point, mild flavour, and health benefits. It is considered a healthy oil due to its relatively low saturated fat content and substantial amount of monounsaturated fat. Its high smoke point makes it suitable for high-heat cooking methods such as stir-frying, deep-frying, and pan-frying.

While canola oil is a common choice for food applications, it can also be used in non-food products such as industrial lubricants, biodiesel, candles, lipsticks, and newspaper inks.

Palm kernel oil is safe for homes with children

Palm Kernel Oil: Safe for Homes with Children

Palm kernel oil is a safe option for homes with children. It is odourless and non-toxic, making it ideal for use around kids and pets. This oil is derived from the seed of the oil palm tree, while a different product, palm oil, is extracted from the fruit.

Health Benefits

Palm kernel oil is commonly consumed in foods and is likely effective for treating vitamin A deficiency. Adding red palm oil to the diets of children or during pregnancy in developing countries reduces the chance of having low vitamin A levels. It also seems to help increase vitamin A levels in those who already have low levels.

Safety Profile

Palm kernel oil is possibly safe for short-term oral use, with daily consumption of 7-12 grams for up to 6 months deemed safe. However, it is important to avoid eating palm kernel oil in excess as it contains a type of fat that can increase cholesterol levels. Regularly eating meals containing palm oil can increase levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol, which may be problematic for individuals with high cholesterol.

Comparison to Other Oils

Palm kernel oil is harder to find and more expensive than some other oils. It is a better choice than palm oil, which has a less favourable fatty acid composition and is higher in saturated fat. Olive oil, another alternative, may require retrofitting a lamp with a thick wick due to its low burning point. Castor oil and kerosene are additional options that blend well with essential oils, but kerosene should be used with caution, adding no more than one teaspoon of essential oil per 8 ounces of kerosene.

Frequently asked questions