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Aromatic Atmospheres ~ the whats and hows of diffusion
By Gina | August 24, 2009
Throughout many of my articles and teleclasses, I’ve spoken about diffusing essential oils. It came to me that some people may have never heard of diffusion so I thought I’d write a little about it today, especially since it’s one of my favorite ways to use essential oils. Plus it’s an easy way of incorporating Aromatherapy into your day, every day!
Diffusion is the act of diffusing, or spreading out, so basically when we speak of diffusing essential oils, it means a the act of diffusing, or spreading out, the essential oils into the air.
There are many types of diffusers:
- Candle diffuser - a tealight is used to heat a dish of water to which essential oils have been added. The water heats up and the molecules of the essentail oils are therefore heated and dispersed into the air.
- Electric diffuser - this diffuser gets plugged into a wall and the essential oils are dropped right into a top of the diffuser and they are gently heated and dispersed.
- Fan diffuser - this diffuser is usually battery operated and you add your essential oils to a pad which is placed on top of the fan. When the fan is turned on, the essentail oils are gently dispersed by the air flow of the fan.
- Car diffuser - the application is similar to the fan diffuser, but instead of a fan, the essential oils are dispersed by being gently heated through the lighter adapter in your car.
- Mist/Steam diffuser - this is also usually a plug-in diffuser but is like a humidifier - you add water to the inside compartment and add your essential oils to the water and then turn the unit on and the essential oils are gently dispersed through the steam that is produced by the diffuser unit. In some models you can regulate the amount of steam and even the adjust the timing of when the steam/essential oils are released
- Lamp ring diffuser - This is a metal or clay ring that fits over a light bulb and you add the essential oils to the inside of the ring. I’m not a fan of this diffuser and don’t recommend it, but thought I should put it here because it is a type of diffuser.
- Clay diffuser - This is more of a passive diffuser - it’s usually a clay figurine that has a hollow area where you can add a drop or two of essential oils into and the clay will absorb the essential oils and diffuse the scent. If you put these in a sunny place like a window sill, the heat from the sun will help to disperse the essential oils
- Jewelry diffuser - This is another passive diffuser, usually a necklace, but I have seen bracelets also - the pendant on the necklace is usually a locket and the locket has a little pad in it that you can add a drop or two of essential oils to. Some pendants are clay and you add the drop or two of essential oils right to the clay pendant and the heat from your body helps to release the essential oils as well.
- Nebulizer diffuser - This is the king of diffusers! This type of diffuser sends out the highest concentration of essential oil molecules into the air. It is usually an electric unit that gets plugged in and you want to use it for short periods of time because of the concentration of essential oils that it disperses into the air. It will scent a very large room.
So these are various types of diffusers that are available. I may have missed one or two, but these are the most popular. I have pretty much every one (except for the lamp ring diffuser) and use them regularly.
Diffusion is such a great way to enjoy the aromatic benefits of essential oils.
Here’s one of my favorite late summer essential oil blends to use in a diffuser:
2 drops sweet orange, 2 drops mandarin, 2 drops lime, 1 drop lemongrass
And if you want to add a little sensuous spark to your blend (here’s my little secret weapon ;), add 1 drop of jasmine to your blend!
*Important note ~ be sure to follow the directions that come with your diffuser! And don’t forget to not leave them unattended!
One last note: check with your medical practitioner if you have any medical conditions or concerns or if you are nursing or pregnant before using any essential oil products.
Inhale~Enjoy~Exhale!
Gina
Topics: Aromatherapy Luminary Tips, Using Your Senses |
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