Meditating, long walks, power naps, yoga – There are almost no limits to what people will try in order to relax, decompress and escape from everyday stressors. Along with these health-and-wellness techniques, there is aromatherapy, which involves topically apply or inhaling the essential oils or extracts of certain plants. An easy way to get your daily dose of aromatherapy is with an essential oil diffuser.
Essential Oil Diffusers
An essential oil diffuser, or aromatherapy diffuser, is a small appliance that releases essential oils into the air via a process called diffusion. Available in an array of shapes, sizes, and finishes, diffusers use an atomizer, a diagram, a wick or a heating element to turn the essential oil into a fine mist, making it possible for you to inhale the essential oil you add to the water reservoir.
Types of Diffusers
There are four kinds of essential oil diffusers you can buy. Ultrasonic diffusers are the most popular type of diffuser. These diffusers are equipped with a ceramic diaphragm that vibrates a high frequency, transforming the diffuser’s water supply and essential oil droplets into a mist. Due to the lack of a fan or mechanical parts, ultrasonic diffusers are not only the quietest type of diffuser but also the most durable kind.
Nebulizing diffusers are another style of the diffuser. These diffusers work in a similar fashion to a bottle of perfume. Instead of a ceramic diaphragm, nebulizing diffusers use an atomizer to distribute aromatic mist throughout a room. Since they don’t require water to function, the essential oil that’s released is heavily concentrated. However, nebulizing diffusers tend to be louder and more expensive than the ultrasonic variety.
Another type of diffuser utilizes the process of evaporation. Evaporative essential oil diffusers contain an absorbent wick that absorbs the essential oil and water. As the internal fan blows air on the wick, the liquid evaporates, and a fine mist is pushed out of the diffuser. The main caveat of evaporative diffusers is that the essential oil becomes fractionated, weakening its therapeutic benefits.
Finally, there are heat-based diffusers. The majority of heat-based essential oil diffusers use a candle to generate heat, but some create heat via electricity. Either way, the heat warms the oil, and the oil evaporates, releasing its fragrance into the surrounding air. while heat-based diffusers are generally cheaper than the other three kinds of diffusers, the candle poses a fire risk, and the heat may alter the properties of the essential oil.
Essential Oil Derivation
Derived from oil naturally found in plants, essential oils are simply a super-concentrated version of those oils. To glean essential oil from a plant, the plant undergoes distillation, which involves the application of steam.
First, the plant is held over boiling water, so the steam can extract the oil from the plant. Then, the steam is contained and quickly cooled, causing it to become liquid. At this point, the oil is separated from the water and bottled. The end result is a concentrated oil that possesses the same scent and benefits of the plant itself.
The Many Benefits of Essential Oil Diffusers
Everyone has a specific reason for using an essential oil diffuser. From relaxation to mental clarity, a diffuser offers a wide array of benefits.
Helps You Relax
Countless people turn to essential oil diffusers to relax. When you’re overburdened by a tough project at work, the essential oil delivered via the diffuser enters your bloodstream, keeping your stress at a manageable level. Essential oil diffusers also give you a way to unwind at the end of the day, and certain essential oils can even induce sleepiness, so you rest better.
Boosts Your Mood
We all have days when we feel down in the dumps. On those low days, you can turn to your essential oil diffuser to get a boost in mood. Diffusers also help set a certain ambiance for parties and special evenings at home.
Prevents Illnesses
No home is safe from germs. However, certain essential oils have antimicrobial properties. With an essential oil diffuser, these oils can destroy airborne germs, preventing illness. Other essential oils bolster the immune system, so your body can fight against invading bacteria and viruses.
Improves Your Lung Function
Although anyone can take advantage of improved lung function, people who have asthma, allergies or certain respiratory conditions will benefit the most. Congestion and inflammation can do a number on your lungs, but an essential oil diffuser can cut through the gunk in your lungs and reduce inflammation in the process, helping you take deeper, clearer breaths.
Alleviates Your Pain
From headaches to muscle pain, an essential oil diffuser can help you feel better without having to apply the oil directly to your skin. If you suffer from chronic pain, a diffuser can make your pain more manageable.
Gets Rid of Insects
Regardless of how clean you keep your home, sometimes bugs like fruit flies and moths can find their way into your kitchen, bathroom or bedroom. With a diffuser, you don’t have to shell out money on professional pest control. Instead, you can put your essential oil diffuser to work and drive them away, nipping the problem in the bud before it spirals out of control.
Gives You More Energy
Whether you didn’t get enough sleep last night or have a lot on your mind, there are some days when you feel like you’re dragging. Essential oil diffusers can perk you up quickly, giving you the energy to power through the day.
Cools the Air
Some days aren’t quite hot enough to run your air conditioner, yet they are too hot to not turn on a fan or open a window. On these days, you don’t have to do anything but push a button on your diffuser. With diffusers that use water, that water becomes ultra-fine sprays of mist intertwined with essential oil. Since the mist is cool and humidifying, it drops the room temperature a few degrees.
Safer Than Air Fresheners and Candles
Not everyone buys a diffuser to enjoy aromatherapy. Some people simply want to fill their home with a rich fragrance. If you have pets or children in your home, it’s all too easy for a burning candle to get knocked over, starting a fire. Plus, essential oil diffusers don’t emit dangerous volatile organic chemicals.
Facilitates Mental Clarity
Do you have a big financial or career decision to make, or do you need to focus on a difficult task? Get the mental clarity you need with a diffuser. Some essential oils soothe stress and lift your mood, allowing you to sharply focus on the issue at hand.
Maintaining a Diffuser
Every week, make it a point to clean the inside of your diffuser’s tank. Most reservoirs are made of ceramic or plastic. You can clean these materials with warm, soapy water. If your diffuser is made of glass, diluted vinegar is a better choice. Also, dip a cotton swab in soapy water and wipe down the diffuser’s nozzle. If you change essential oils, clean the tank, so the scents won’t intermingle.
Popular Essential Oils
If you’ve looked at the essential oils available in your local grocery or health food store, you’ve probably noticed that there are a lot of options from which to choose. To choose the best essential oil for your needs, you must get one that you think smells pleasant and gives you the specific benefit you want.
Bergamot
If you’re looking for an essential oil that will help keep you calm for that big meeting, try bergamot. This oil has a calming effect when inhaled, and it can even regulate your blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Chamomile
Chamomile offers multiple benefits, and those who suffer from insomnia or anxiety find it to be especially helpful. Chamomile also acts as an anti-inflammatory, making it a great go-to for headaches and stomach ulcers.
Eucalyptus
Do you have a cold or respiratory infection? Grab a bottle of eucalyptus oil, which can break up congestion and relieve aggravating coughs. Since eucalyptus is also an all-natural insecticide, it also keeps pests like dust mites and ticks at bay.
Jasmine
Perhaps relaxation is not what you’re after. If you need to get energized before your daily run or spring cleaning chores, jasmine oil will make you feel more alert. It also elevates your mood.
Lavender
Lavender is arguably the most popular essential oil. This essential oil is found to slow the nervous system’s activity level. For you, this means better sleep and concentration. Like chamomile, lavender also aids in fighting against anxiety.
Peppermint
You can get relief from digestive problems like irritable bowel syndrome, bloating and indigestion by adding a few drops of peppermint oil to your diffuser. Peppermint oil increases your digestive system’s elimination rate, and it has antispasmodic properties. Plus, it alleviates headaches and anxiety.
Rose
Rose oil is another mood elevator, and it contains beta-carotene, which slows cognitive decline. It also has vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant. You also get the benefit of inhaling the lovely aroma.
Sources
National Cancer Institute
PubMed Health
U.S. Food & Drug Administration
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Last Update: 2024-03-29 | Affiliate links/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API