Diffusing essential oils is one of the best ways to receive their therapeutic benefits. When we inhale essential oils, they go straight to our brain and are sent directly to other parts of the body to regulate and moderate.  There’s a lot of science behind it actually which I may delve into in an eventual blog post. Diffusing essential oils offers the following benefits:

• Cleanses the  air
• Impacts the mood
• Assists with focus & concentration
• Supports relaxation
• Boosts the immune system
• Creates feelings of peace and well-being
• Gives you a great smelling home!

There are many essential oil diffusers on the market ranging in price and function. Essential oil diffusers are specifically designed to break the essential oil into small particles and disperse it into the air. What you put into the air enters your lungs. Be mindful of essential oil quality.  If an essential oil is cut with synthetics and chemicals, you will be inhaling this into your lungs.

Do not confuse a humidifier with an essential oil diffuser.  If a device isn’t designed to use essential oils, I would advise against doing it.  For one thing, it could possibly break down the plastics of the machine.

There are two main types of essential  oil diffusers: ultrasonic and nebulizing. There are another 2 kinds but I won’t discuss them as they don’t offer as good a therapeutic quality of diffusion as these two.

The ultrasonic diffuser creates a fine mist and sends tiny oils particles into the air.  Generally you add water and the water and oils are distributed into the air.  This is particularly good in dry winter months because moisture is added to the air.  Because a small amount of oil is added to water, these are very economical to run.  Many of them have different settings as well as timers.

Nebulizing diffusers do not use added water. They diffuse the essential oil straight from the bottle which is broken up into super tiny molecules. Because this type of diffuser disperses the entire oil into the air and breaks it up into much smaller particles than other diffusers, this type of diffusing has tremendous therapeutic qualities because it’s more concentrated. I would not operate this type of diffuser for long, just 20 minutes at a time maybe 3 times a day will be sufficient.

Whichever diffuser you select, make sure you are choosing a reputable brand. Remember, you get what you paid for so don’t shy away from spending a little more for a good diffuser that will last you a long time.