There are several ways to use essential oils – topically, internally or through inhaling the scents in the air. If you use a diffuser, you can get all the benefits of essential oils, as wax or candle warmers can denature the oils, only releasing their scent into the air and not the health benefits.
Essential oils have long been used in aromatherapy, as they cleanse the air and promote calm feelings. They are often used for therapeutic or aesthetic reasons, and essential oil diffusers are good tools to get the essential oils into the air.
There are several ways to use essential oils – topically, internally or through inhaling the scents in the air. If you use a diffuser, you can get all the benefits of essential oils, as wax or candle warmers can denature the oils, only releasing their scent into the air and not the health benefits.
For that reason, you shouldn’t rely on heat to push out the scent. More effective diffusers are fan diffusers, nebulizing diffusers, evaporative diffusers, and ultrasonic diffusers.
The nebulizing diffuser is the most expensive, but is considered the most effective way of diffusing essential oils. They use cold, pressurized air to force the oil molecules into an atomizer. The fine particles are pumped out into the air, where they hang suspended for quite a while.
Ultrasonic diffusers use a combination of water and essential oils, and release a fine mist into the air. Because of the mixing of the oils with water, it’s considered the second best option.
9 Benefits of Using Essential Oils in a Diffuser
1. A Better Night’s Sleep
Some essential oils can help promote sleep by helping neurotransmitter activity in your brain, and stimulating a release of serotonin and dopamine. This leads to restful, uninterrupted sleep. Good choices for this include bergamot, sandalwood and lavender.
2. Helps Respiratory Health
Inhaling essential oils can boost immune health, and help to eliminate colds and coughs. Good oils for respiratory health are lemon, palo santo, lavender, tea tree and eucalyptus.
3. Odor Eliminator
If your home smells musty, stale or smoky, you can use orange, grapefruit, bergamot or lemongrass oils to combat the odors.
4. Mood Elevator
Essential oils can help banish depression and sadness by brightening your mood. Lavender and bergamot help with this.
5. Stress Buster
Essential oils can help to reduce anxiety and enhance calm in body and mind. Lavender, frankincense, neroli, and chamomile are good choices for this.
6. Insect Repellent
A lot of bugs can’t stand the smell of diffused essential oils, and they are great for stopping mosquitoes, gnats, and other pests from invading your space. The best oils for this job include peppermint, lavender, cinnamon, geranium, and cedarwood.
7. Energy Booster
If you often feel tired or drained, oils such as grapefruit, cinnamon, lemon, and orange are great for boosting your energy levels.
8. Appetite Controller
Some essential oils can interact with the emotional side of the brain, and can turn off the desire to eat. If you want to curb your appetite, try using grapefruit, lavender, orange, ylang-ylang or patchouli oil.
9. Create a Healthy Environment
If you diffuse the right oils, you can create an antiviral and antibacterial environment in your home. Good oils for this task are tea tree, lemon, cinnamon and oregano.