Using aromatherapy diffusers is one way to allow the properties of essential oils to enter the body. Once the aroma enters the nose and lungs it is transported into the bloodstream where it can help calm or heal the body. There are many ways in which essential oils can be diffused into a room – some simple, some highly sophisticated.
If you don’t have much money to spend and want to stick to easy methods then there are three simple aromatherapy diffusers that you might already have in your home. Here are some examples of both simple and more sophisticated aromatherapy diffusers:
Types of Aromatherapy Diffusers
A tissue infusion is one method. In this diffusion method simply add 3-4 drops of oil on a tissue. Leave the tissue nearby. This is an easy way to use oils when out and about, however the aroma is not that concentrated.
A steam infusion is a home-made version of more upmarket aromatherapy diffusers. They can be made by boiling two cups of water placing it in a bowl with no more than 10 drops of essential oil. If the oil might be irritating to the sensitive membranes of the nose use less (cinnamon, eucalyptus, rosemary, pine, thyme, cajuput, etc.). The steam helps the oils diffuse into the room. Steam infusions are one of the easiest aromatherapy diffusers you can use. However the aroma is short-lived and the heat may damage the properties of the oil.
Candles also make good aromatherapy diffusers. Light the candle and let it burn for five minutes. Put it out and add 1 drop of oil to the melted wax. Lighting the candle again will allow the oil to be dispersed into the air. You can use this method anywhere that candles are acceptable but the heat may damage the properties of the oils. Oils are flammable, so care needs to be taken.
More sophisticated aromatherapy diffusers can be purchased through health stores, pharmacy’s and retailers. These include lamp rings, clay pot diffusers, candle diffusers, fan diffusers and nebulizers. The cost of these diffusers does vary. Candle diffusers use a tea-light candle to slowly heat the oil (in a small amount of water). These are mostly ceramic or metal diffusers. The oil is placed into a bowl and the candle heats it gently from below. The benefit of these is that no batteries or electricity is required.
Fan aromatherapy diffusers can be found in all shapes and sizes. The fan blows the aroma into the air. The oils are put on a pad or tray which is then placed into a unit and switched on. The fan sends air over the tray and into the air. You should choose a fan diffuser based on the size of the room you want to diffuse. There are models that use batteries and/or electricity – these are very practical. Some models are noisy, so choose with care.
Electric heat aromatherapy diffusers are like fan diffusers. They use a fan and heat to disperse the oils into the air. They are a good idea if the room is very large and can diffuse thicker oils effectively. However the intense heat of the oils may damage the oils and make their healing properties less effective than cold air diffusion.
Nebulizers are aromatherapy diffusers that allow the oil molecules to be broken into separate molecules. This may make them more easily absorbed by the lungs. It is believed that essential oils are more therapeutic when used in a nebulizer for this reason. A nebulizer consists of a plastic base with a motor and a glass device that hold the essential oils. This glass bit can be pricey if you wish to replace it and some thicker oils cannot be used in some nebulizers.