Diffusing essential oils is a wonderful way to fragrance a room, but more importantly, it is an easy way to experience the excellent health benefits these gifts from nature have to offer! Ylang Ylang, for instance, is not just an alluring and exotic scent, it helps to ease anxiety, depression and dissipates panic and fear. Thyme and Rosemary essential oils have impressive antimicrobial and purifying properties. They are wonderful for diffusing during the cold and flu season. Delicious smelling Citrus essential oils are great for shaking off the blues. They bring about a cheerful, uplifting mood with the added bonus of enhanced concentration. Of course, we cannot forget to mention Lavender! Often referred to as the ‘universal oil’ because it can be used for so many of life’s challenges. Along with its soft, sweet, floral aroma it is healing, harmonizing, soothing yet invigorating.
Getting Started
First things first, you’ll need a diffuser…with so many out there how do you choose which is best for you?
Without having to purchase anything, you can simply use a pot of water! Fill a large pot of water and heat to a simmer on the stove. Take off the burner (or keep at a very low simmer), add 5 drops of essential oil and voilà! The steam from the water will carry the scent throughout your room. Pro Tip: Great for refreshing the air after cooking!
TYPES OF DIFFUSERS
Plug-in Diffusers
You can easily find diffusers that plug-in to an electrical source and heat up the oil to diffuse, for example the Scentball and Carscenter models. These are affordable options that are perfect when you’re starting out, and also make great gifts! Simply place 2-3 drops of essential oil on the reusable pad, and as it heats up the fragrance is dispersed into the air. The Aromashell is an option that does not require pads. Just place a few drops of essential oils directly on the washable, reusable dish, turn on and !
Light Bulb Rings
These rings are typically made out of ceramic, terra cotta, brass or clay and sit on a light bulb as a heat source. Simply place 2-3 drops of oil in the ring and when the light is turned on it will heat up the oil and dispense it into the air.
Candle Burners
These can be quite lovely, decorative pieces made of ceramic, terra cotta, stone or clay, where a tea light candle is used to heat up the oil in a bowl set above the flame. Here you want to ensure that you have some water in the bowl above the candle. Add 4-5 drops of oil into the water, light the candle and enjoy!
Fan Diffusers
Heat can alter or destroy some of the chemical components of oils, so these are a step up from diffusers that utilize heat, allowing you to experience the full therapeutic effect of oils. These use a fan to disperse the oils and can be quite affordable, like the MIO or Spascenter models. 2-3 drops of essential oil are added to the reusable pads.
Nebulizers
Aromatherapists commonly use these types of diffusers as they do not use heat or require pads to dissipate the oils into the air. Instead, nebulizers like the Ultrasonic and Aromasens models use high frequency vibration to convert water and oil into a fine cool mist. This is the most therapeutic way to enjoy the benefits of essential oils as heat alters the chemistry of the oils. This mist is more easily absorbed by the human body, more effective in purifying the air and has an added humidifying effect – which we love in the dry prairie weather!
Direct Inhalation
For therapeutic uses, you can simply add 2-3 drops on a tissue or handkerchief, hold to your nose and inhale for up to 10 minutes. This is a simple way to enjoy the health benefits of oil anywhere you are! Pro Tip: Pre-load a few tissues with essential oil and place them in a Ziploc bag for your purse. Use RAE-DRS Remedy in this manner if you are a frequent flyer.
Another affordable and travel friendly option are Aromatic Inhaler tubes. These plastic refillable tubes have a cotton wick that you load with essential oils and pop into the tube. The cover twists on and off keeping the oils from evapourating in-between uses.
We also carry a glass Nasal Inhaler that allows you to benefit from the healing properties of essential oils, hydrosols and teas. Here you would simply fill the bottom receptacle and then inhale from the nosepiece. Pro Tip: Try this with RAE-DRS Remedy, Immune Boost, Respair or Sinus Clear when you have a cold or flu.
Diffusing Tips
1. A little goes a long way! 2-5 drops of essential oils are all you need, remember that essential oils are very concentrated. It takes 50 pounds of eucalyptus to make 1 pound of oil and 5,000 pounds of rose blossoms to make 1 pound of rose oil!
2. Don’t over diffuse! You do not need your diffuser on all the time, 10 minutes every hour is sufficient for therapeutic uses and environmental fragrancing.
WHAT OILS TO DIFFUSE?
Synergies (essential oil blends) are a great way to start when first learning and discovering essential oils. We have spent years creating wonderful synergies for mood enhancing and various therapeutic uses…37 synergies and counting!
Here are some of our staff favourites:
“Just a wonderful fragrance!”
-Gail
“In the Winter, clove is my favourite oil to diffuse.”
-Alison
Fragonia, Florals and Spices
“Fragonia is one of my top oils, but I diffuse many different oils depending on my mood.”
-Trish
Citrus Dream Synergy
“I diffuse this lovely citrus blend at home for the uplifting, cheerful and inviting ambiance it creates.”
-Debbie
Welcome Home Synergy
“It just smells soooooo mother lovin’ good!”
-Maddy
SAFETY
Always be aware of the properties of the oils you are diffusing and the people who may come in to your environment with sensitivities, especially children, babies, elderly and pets. Also, drink lots of water to help flush out the plant constituents your body has absorbed in the process of diffusing.