Ward off Diseases and Avoid Toxins This Summer

  • Hidden toxins are secretly ruining your summertime fun. Discover how…
  • Don’t let this synthetic reduce your protection and increase your chances of  cancer, asthma, and heart problems.
  • Say good-bye to pests, cancer, and disease with one natural solution. Find out more…

Dear Reader,

Summer is just about a month away.

And with it come the long and sunny days that often lead us outdoors. Pretty soon (if not already), you may find yourself relaxing in a hammock while sipping on a cocktail or hosting a backyard BBQ.

But as it starts to heat up and we all head outside, there is no doubt you will come face to face with summertime’s ultimate killjoy — mosquitoes.

It never fails.

Only minutes into a backyard party or a nice dinner on the patio, you’re faced with a swarm of tiny, aggressive vampires.

And these days, they can cause bigger problems than itchy bites and annoying buzzing — they carry diseases.

While Zika virus isn’t a full-blown threat for the U.S. quite yet it’s definitely on the rise. Just last week, the CDC confirmed the number of pregnant U.S. women with Zika has tripled.1

But don’t forget, these obnoxious vectors carry other health-threatening diseases like West Nile and dengue. Both of these diseases can lead to health issues and sometimes even death.

So the logical solution is to keep yourself protected while outdoors.

However, there’s just one problem — your go-to mosquito protection might be full of dangerous synthetics! And I am not talking about bug spray…

This common back-porch staple could even being emitting carcinogens and other harmful toxins. We will dig deeper into this in just a moment.

But what makes this news even more disappointing — this carcinogenic mess may not offer any real protection from mosquitoes! Well, unless you know what to look for. We will give you a few tips in a bit.

So what could this summertime toxin be?

Citronella candles.

Let me explain further…

--Skip the Toxins Not the Protection

While there are plenty of chemicals out there for fighting off mosquitos, natural options seem like a better choice. For most folks, this means making a citronella candle barricade around your outdoor space.

And when it’s pure citronella oil, this a good choice.

A study shows that citronella oil shows “strong irritating effects” against mosquitoes.2

Another study published in the Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association found that citronella candles decrease mosquito bites by 42.5 percent. 3

Perhaps this isn’t an astonishing number or a perfect solution, but it’s an extra line of much needed defense.

However, this is only the case if your citronella candles are made with natural, pure products.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the case most of the time.

These days, some citronella candles are made with “citronella scent” — a synthetic substitute for real citronella oil.

Not only is this chemical imposter not as effective in deflecting mosquitos, but it can lead to some nasty health issues, including allergies, asthma attacks, and migraines. 4

I should also mention that most inexpensive citronella candles are made with paraffin wax, a cheap product made from petroleum waste that can emit cancer-causing toxins.

In fact, scientists at South Carolina State University compared both paraffin wax candles and vegetable-based candles that were unscented and contained no colorings.

When the results came back, they found that the vegetable-based candles did not emit pollutants, but the paraffin wax candles “released unwanted chemicals into the air,” according to Ruhullah Massoudi, the lead researcher of the study.5

Two of these chemicals are toluene and benzene, which can cause kidney, brain, heart, and lung damage as well as cancer.6,7

To back this up, Professor Massoudi reports:

For a person who lights a candle every day for years or just uses them frequently, inhalation of these dangerous pollutants drifting in the air could contribute to the development of health risks like cancer, common allergies and even asthma.5

To be fair, Massoudi’s study focused on indoor air quality, and most folk are firing up their citronella supplies outside.

However, given the dangers associated with these ingredients, you’re still gambling with your health even when used outdoors.

Because of these dangers, we will give a few hints on how to find nontoxic and effective mosquito candles.

--Keep the Pests Away!

When going to purchase a citronella candle, be sure to look for the following two qualities:

  1. Citronella oil: Studies showing citronella repels mosquitoes use only citronella oil, so lighting a candle with the artificial scent will not deter mosquitoes. Citronella “scent” is a synthetic fragrance, and you want avoid its toxic danger.
  1. Beeswax or Vegetable Wax: Since research indicates paraffin candles can lead to cancer and other health issues, avoiding them is vital. Beeswax is a natural choice but not so easy to find. Soy candles are quite popular, and there aren’t any known health dangers associated with them at this time. But if you are totally GMO-free, you may want to avoid these too.

Check the labels of your candle for this information. If you can’t find the information there, go to the manufacturer’s website or reach out to their customer service.

If you are looking to purchase a beeswax citronella candle, click here.

In addition to citronella, grapefruit and lemongrass can repel mosquitos. Using a combination of these candles may help you win back your outdoor space this summer.

Live well,

Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily


Sources

[1] Number of pregnant women with Zika virus in U.S. triples, CDC says

[2] Avoidance Behavior to Essential Oils by Anopheles minimus, a Malaria Vector in Thailand.

[3] Ability of essential oil candles to repel biting insects in high and low biting pressure environments.

[4] The Big Problem With Scented Candles

[5] Frequent use of certain candles produces unwanted chemicals

[6] Toluene

[7] Benzene

Natalie Moore

Written By Natalie Moore

Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.

View More Free Articles

Unlikely Duo Naturally SLASHES High Blood Pressure

Some things just naturally belong together—such as peanut butter and jelly, salsa and chips, or two peas in a pod. But there’s an unlikely pair that researchers say could do wonders for your heart health. A comprehensive new study from the University of Surrey has revealed that compounds found naturally in tea and chocolate can...

Read This

The Surprising Link Between Jaw Tension and Anxiety

Ever catch yourself clenching your jaw when you’re stuck in traffic or waiting for an important phone call? Well, it might tell you something important about what’s happening “upstairs.” Turns out, that jaw tension isn’t just annoying—it’s a direct hotline to your anxiety levels. And most of us don’t even realize we’re doing it. I’ve...

Read This

Could Poor Sleep Be Hurting Your Brain?

If you’ve ever woken up groggy, unable to shake the brain fog, or struggling to focus, it might be more than just a bad night’s sleep. Sleep apnea—a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops during sleep—affects nearly 936 million people globally. But here’s the kicker: it doesn’t just leave you feeling tired. New research shows...

Read This

Mailbag: Inflammation-Fighting Protocol Clears Clogged Arteries

“I’m 70 years young and I would like to know if there is a natural treatment for clean arteries to prevent heart attack and cardiac problems. Thanks for your reply!” -Change of Heart Dear Change, I love how proactive you’re being about your heart health! Nature offers powerful solutions for keeping arteries clear and healthy....

Read This

Why Your Tech Troubles Might SAVE Your Brain

Ever feel like your smartphone is too smart for you? Or maybe you’ve struggled to figure out that new streaming device your kids gave you? Well, take heart. Those technology headaches are saving your brain cells. A groundbreaking new study suggests that spending hours figuring out your gadgets could be your best defense against cognitive...

Read This

Study Reveals the Dark Side of Sleep Meds

I’m sure you know by now that quality sleep is crucial for good health. Poor sleep, on the other hand, is linked to all kinds of health hazards, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, depression, and anxiety. It’s the primary reason people opt to take sleep medications. But what if the pills you’re taking to...

Read This

Ancient Food Eases Modern Digestive Woes

If you turn up your nose at the pungent aroma of sauerkraut, you might want to reconsider. Because that tangy, fermented cabbage could be exactly what your gut needs to fight off inflammation and heal digestive issues. Research reveals that this humble food, enjoyed for centuries across the world, contains potent compounds that could shield...

Read This

One-Third of Dementia Cases Linked to This Treatable Condition

Dementia is on the rise—and the number of cases is expected to double by 2060. Most people focus on common risk factors like diet, exercise, or genetics. But one of the biggest threats to your brain health is something most of us take for granted… Until it starts to fade away. Worse yet, research shows...

Read This

Medications That Don't Mix Well with Coffee

If you’re a regular Living Well Daily Reader (and I certainly hope you are), I probably don’t need to tell you I’m a coffee fan. I regularly share information on coffee’s many health benefits—from boosting metabolism to reducing disease risk. But many don’t realize that cup of Joe can interact with common medications, sometimes reducing...

Read This

Invisible Microplastics Trigger Serious Health Concerns

We often joke about living in a plastic-covered world these days. But the reality is far more concerning than most realize. Tiny plastic particles—or microplastics—have infiltrated nearly every corner of our environment, from the deepest ocean trenches to the air we breathe. And now, alarming research reveals these microscopic menaces aren’t just polluting our planet—they’re...

Read This