Do you want to use aromatherapy to improve your home or office environment? If so then you should consider a diffuser. While there are different ways to experience this therapy one of the best ways is with diffusers. These devices can help to add pleasant/relaxing aromas to environments like homes, offices, and doctor clinics. You can find various types, sizes, and features on such devices, which provides consumers with many different options. However, the main goal is always to add the best essential oils’ “essence” to an environment.
Fun Fact: There are 90+ essential oils on the market today. As the names suggest they include the “essential” of various plants. This allows you to experience health benefits from the aroma of the plants, which can vary greatly depending on which plants are used. For example, lavender is well-known for providing a relaxing fragrance to an area, which can help people stay calm in stressful situations. Other essential oils provide other benefits like better sleep quality. If you’re thinking about buying a diffuser you should definitely know some basics like how they work, which types are available, and so on.
What Is a Diffuser?
This is a good starting point before we talk about diffusers themselves. These devices work by sending essential oils into the air. This allows people to breathe in the vapors so their bodies can absorb them. Other benefits are they add a pleasant aroma into the air and also remove fungus/bacteria for air purifications.
There are different kinds of diffusers you should know about. While they work using the same basic principle there are differences in how they aid the oils into the air. They also have pluses and minuses to note.
NEBULIZER: It’s often argued that this releases essential oils in their most natural form. The reason is the oil concentration that’s made. This happens by using force to break down essential oils into atoms. The process works like a perfume bottle.
HEAT: This diffuser heats up essential oils until they then evaporate in the air. Some good options are sandalwood since they can spread well into the room when using this kind of diffuser.
Several kinds of heat diffusers are available. They include electric, candle, and lamp ring. However, they function by using a tray. The oil evaporates after the source heats it up.
ULTRASONIC: An Ultrasonic diffuser sends essential oils out into the air as something called “negative ions.” They’re named due to the “ultrasonic vibrations” that break down essential oils into tiny particles. This turns the oil into a super-fine mist with steam.
One effect is little noise is produced. This helps to provide a relaxing environment for working/sleeping since the diffuser operates quietly.
EVAPORATIVE: This type uses a fan to make a wind/heat effect that causes the oil to evaporate when it enters the air. The oil is stored in a material like a wick or pad. This allows the oil to evaporate using a controlled method.
Best Essential Oils for Diffusers
CHAMOMILE
This plant is also popular as an herbal tea. Chamomile has been used throughout world history for its medical purposes. Fun Fact: Written records show that chamomile was used in the 100s AD for digestion problems. Today this herb is used for different illnesses and has a calming effect. The main types are German and Roman chamomile.
ROSEMARY
This herb is used for cooking but can also be added to diffusers for a fragrant scent. Rosemary has been used since ancient times for various functions including herbal medicines and wedding ceremonies. Rosemary oil is believed to make the whole body stronger. It’s believed it can help to boost the health of the liver, heart, and brain.
Fun Fact: Rosemary’s leaves are referred to as the plant’s “lungs.” They provide oxygen and make it stronger, which supplies life to the natural herb.
SANDALWOOD
This one is well-known in North America where it grows naturally. Sandalwood trees can live for a thousand years. The ancient Egyptians used this plant’s oil for cosmetics and repelling insects. The essential oil can help people stay calm, boost mental focus, and improve skin health.
There’s also “cedarwood oil,” which is made from the tree’s wood. The oil looks like a yellowish syrup and has a warm aroma. This is another oil to consider besides sandalwood oil itself for diffusers.
LAVENDER
This is one is well-known for its ability to help people relax. Lavender has been used for hundreds of years. It’s believed the name is from Latin words that mean “bluish” or “to wash.” Today lavender is easily one of the most popular essential oils.
Lavender can provide several health benefits. Throughout history, it’s been sued for various functions including anti-bacterial, healing, and fresh-smelling clothes. In fact, today lavender is often used in laundry detergent to provide a fresh scent.
More Essential Oils for Diffusers
LEMON VERBENA
This particular oil is from the plant known as the lemon verbena. This originally grew in South America but was first used in Europe during the 1600s. It was later used in the North American region by the 1700s.
This plant has long/light-green leaves that are steamed to remove the oil. The lemon oil has a sweet/lemony scent and light yellow/green color. Pure lemon verbena oil is sometimes difficult to find.
RUBY GRAPEFRUIT
The grapefruit is actually a cross between an orange and pomelo fruit. It was originally grown in Asia and now is harvested in North and South America.
The grapefruit’s essential oil is extracted from the citrus fruit’s peel. This provides a small amount of oil after cold-pressing the fruit. The scent has a strong/refreshing scent and is either a light yellow/pink color. Make sure to use this oil within half a year after buying it since it’s a citrus oil.
ORANGE
This is a well-known citrus fruit that’s also made into an essential oil. The plant’s oil is used for various functions like room freshener, food flavoring, deodorants, and cosmetics. It’s used as an anti-depressant that’s believed to boost mood.
Orange essential oil is made from the fruit’s peel. The oil can cause human glands to release stuff. This explains why it’s been used for functions like improving the flow of bile and digestive juices.
EUCALYPTUS
This is one of the best-known essential oils on the market. The oil is used for various purposes including as an antiseptic. It was first used in the 1700s to treat chest colds. Since then several other health benefits have been discovered from eucalyptus.
Fun Fact: Eucalyptuses trees are one of the world’s fastest-growing trees and can reach 480 feet. The oil was used during World War I for controlling flu outbreaks before it became known as one of the best essential oils.
