I am sure that everyone has walked into Bed, Bath and Beyond, browsed through the diffusers and essential oils, and wondered if you should buy one to use at home, which type should I buy, what are the benefits of using a diffuser and what essential oils should I diffuse?
Diffusers, diffusing and essential oils, in general, can be confusing and overwhelming. I remember feeling dazed and confused when I looked at diffusers and essential oils. In this month’s blog, I hope to demystify diffusers and diffusing essential oils and provide you with the benefits and of a couple of essential oils that you may consider purchasing to start with.
Some Benefits of Using a Diffuser:
helps keep essential oil benefits intact and protected
can be used in any room in the house, the car, hotel, or office
can lightly infuse any room with an essential oil or blend of essential oils
distributes essential oils molecules into the air effectively.
Different Types of Diffusers
There are four types of diffusers that you can purchase: nebulizers, ultrasonic/humidifying, heat, and evaporative diffusers.
Heat diffusers use heat to turn the water into a gas that disperses into the air. They can be electric or use a flame from a candle. Heat does affect the valuable properties of the essential oils so not a good method to use.
Evaporative diffusers use a fan to increase airflow across an essential oil-soaked pad or lining. As the liquid evaporates the scent is dispersed through the area
Nebulizing diffusers force a stream of air at high pressure through a small tube of essential oil. The stream of air turns the oil into a fine mist and disperse it around the room. Nebulizing diffusers don’t use water, but it does disperse essential oils at a high concentration level and are much faster than other diffusers. Nebulizing diffusers do go through more oil than other diffusers, the aroma is stronger, it won’t last long, they are louder than other diffusers and they tend to cost more.
Ultrasonic diffusers use water to create an ultrasonic cool mist of water and oils that release into the air, they can double as a humidifier so good to use in the colder months, there are many choices of diffusers to choose from, they run on the quiet side, they can run for long periods of time (up to 24 hours) and they are easy to clean. I prefer to use an ultrasonic diffuser in my home, office, and car.
Now that you have chosen your diffuser, what essential oils and how much should you use?
I have a few clients that have asked me why when they use their diffuser, they get headaches. Not all essential oils are created equal. Look for essential oils that are made from good quality oils, and not synthetic products or oil. Synthetic essential oils are made from plants and chemicals products and can cause side effects like headaches. Look for essential oils that are made from plants, flowers etc., and are all natural.
When I first started with scented candles, I could never figure out why I developed headaches and felt sick when they were lit. I found out years later the many scented candles contain synthetic oils. I diffuse doTerra essential oils and haven’t experienced any headaches or sick feelings. Do-Terra uses the purest and highest-grade essential oils.
Usually, a couple of drops of essential oils is plenty however it will depend on the size and type of diffuser you are using. Nebulizing diffusers will need more than an ultrasonic will. The best way to start is to use one or two drops and see if that creates the aroma that you want. In a 120 ml or 4 oz diffuser 2 to 4 drops should be plenty.
The essential oils that I would recommend purchasing first are, lemon, lavender, and peppermint. Lemon is an uplifting oil, lavender a calming oil and peppermint an invigorating and energizing oil. More to come on other benefits of these oils. In the meantime, here a couple of ultrasonic diffusing recipes using these oils.
Ultimate Relaxing: 4 drops of lavender and 3 drops of peppermint
Morning Boost: 4 drops lemon and 3 drops peppermint
Restful Sleep: 2 drops each lavender and 2 drops lemon
Immunity Boosting: 3 drops each of lemon, lavender, and peppermint
If you would like more information on essential oils, doTerra, or you would like to book a session, I would love to connect with you.
With Reiki Blessings,
Diana