15 Essential Oil Diffuser Benefits You Need to Know

Since time immemorial, the fragrances of essential oils and their varied benefits have been covered in numerous civilizations. Although they used what we now consider crude methods in burning incense and dispersing the aroma of essential oils, what cannot be lost on us is just how much they valued and appreciated these fragrances.

Reserved for palaces and harnessed by medicine men who knew what plants to extract the precious oil from and their varied uses, it seems the benefits of essential oil were somewhat confined to the elite in society to be used in their palace chambers and royal baths. But not in the 21st century!

In this age where information spreads at the speed of light, commerce and industry are global and products can be purchased virtually across continents, anyone can take advantage of benefits of all types of exotic essential oils today.

What’s more, the advancement in methods of extraction and products that can be used to diffuse essential oils in a given space has grown more efficient and convenient. You can enjoy the calming effects and healing compounds of essential oils in the comfort of your car, on a plane, at your bedside, in the office or even your home.

While in the past diffusing oils effectively in a larger space like hotel lobbies, building receptions, yoga gyms or simply a large house used to be a challenge because of the vastness of space and high ceilings, new innovations in the form of diffusers are now available in various formats and strengths to infuse scents without barriers.

How to diffuse essential oils?

Although there are several options when it comes to diffusers, the most popular ones are the ones that use water in order to distill the vapor into the atmosphere of a given space. Commonly known as ultrasonic diffusers, they will typically use water and heat to emit a fragrant mist. They are well loved because they are so user-friendly.

Diffusers vary in size but the usage is pretty basic. Those that use water have very simple steps to follow to operate them:

Open the top compartment that reveals the water tank
Pour in water into the water tank to the demarcated maximum limit without exceeding it.
Pour in a few drops of your essential oil
Close the compartment and plug into a power source

The diffuser will then go ahead to emit a mist that will permeate the whole space with essential oil fragrance.

An additional benefit with water-based type diffusers is they serve as humidifiers hydrating the dry air in your space with healing therapeutic compounds from the essential oil. Such a space becomes instantly soothing and helpful if you were suffering from a cold, dry throat, dry lips and dry skin.

Most diffusers have an auto-stop safety feature so that when the water in the diffuser has been expended, they will automatically switch off. Be sure to check if the diffuser of your choice has this feature before purchase.

Things to consider when buying an essential oil diffuser

How big is your space?
Apart from making the space fragrant do you need a humidifier as well?
Does it have auto-shut off when the water or essential oil has been expended?
How potent do you want the fragrance to be?
How loud is the noise of the diffuser while in operation?

These are just a few pointers that will help with your buying decision and more importantly will ensure that your essential diffusing needs are completely met.

1. Nebulizer

Nebulizers typically function in the same way a perfume atomizer works. The nebulizer does not use water to function. Instead, it utilizes a special atomizer to create airborne fine particles of the oil.

The oil goes directly and undiluted into the nebulizer and as such the resultant fragrance of small airborne particles that are spewed out in a mist into the air are potent and at full strength. This allows the scent to linger strongly for longer.

The operation of the nebulizer is easy. Since it does not use heat or water, you don’t have to prepare anything. You simply connect the essential oil bottle directly to the nebulizer. It does consume more oil, but it comes with an integrated timer and it is recommended that you time the nebulizer to run at intervals of 15 minutes for every hour.

This helps in conserving the oil, but also allows the olfactory system time to process the oil and recover before receiving more.

This type of diffuser is often considered the best for the therapeutic use of essential oils because of its ability to quickly saturate the room with oil.

High levels of potency
Easy to use
Quickly saturates a room with whole oil

Uses more oil
No light for use at night
Noisier in comparison to the other types of diffusers
Will not work with thicker essential oil unless diluted with other thinner essential oils only
Does not work with essential oils diluted using carrier oils

2. Ultrasonic diffuser

The one thing the nebulizer and the ultrasonic type diffuser have in common is that they both dispense a mist.

However, the mechanisms differ since the ultrasonic diffuser utilizes electronic frequencies to diffuse the oils. The diffuser sends fast rate ultrasonic vibration on a disc under the surface of the water which breaks the essential oil into tiny micro-particle dispensing the oil to the air in a fine mist.

The absorbability of these particles by the lungs is much easier and has amazing therapeutic effects on the body, mind and spirit.

What makes the ultrasonic type of diffuser unique is the fact that the transformation of liquid into vapor is accomplished by an adiabatic process. This is to say that no kind of heat energy was required accomplishing the change of state of the liquid.

For this reason, the essential oil particles chemical composition remains whole as heat has a tendency to alter the chemical constitution of the particles.

For those who desire a small amount of essential oil to be diffused in the room, this type of diffuser would be ideal for you.

Does not use heat
Uses small amount of oil
Has lights and can, thus, be used at night
Doubles as a humidifier
Super silent when in operation
Most will have an auto- shut off
Can run continuously for longer
Great aesthetics

Fragrance might not be potent enough for some people

3. Evaporative diffuser

This type of diffuser method of operation is very basic. The device involves a filter and a pad. The essential oil will be dropped on the pad and a fan will blow the pad. As the oil evaporates, the fan will blow the fragrance and other components into the room.

Though this method works well, it does have one major drawback: the lighter components of the oil will be higher at the beginning while the heavier components will be delivered toward the end of the process. This fractioning of the oil may diminish any therapeutic benefits it has.

Easy to operate

The dispensed essential oil is fractioned, which diminishes the benefits of the whole oil
Oil evaporates quicker

4. Heat diffuser

A similarity between the evaporative and the heat diffuser is that both cause the evaporative aspects of the oil to dissipate faster than normal. The difference is the heat diffuser uses heat instead of blowing air for diffusion to be accomplished.

Although some heat diffusers will use higher levels of heat to produce stronger fragrance, the best option is those that use minimal heat to produce a subtle scent. This is because high levels of heat can alter the chemical constitution of the oil and destroy or diminish its benefits.

Very silent
It is economical

Fractionates the essential oil into components instead of dispensing it whole
Heat may alter the constitution of the oil

15 Essential oil diffuser benefits

Essential oil diffusers make it easy for the fragrance of the oils to reach a wider surface area. They break down the oil at the right temperature and create an output fragrance with enough potency to linger. This cannot be achieved using a spray bottle.

Because of essential oil diffusers, we are able to enjoy the intense therapeutic benefits of essential oils including:

1. Boosting of the immune system (increase resistance to cold and flu)

Essential oils are great for combating flu and cold symptoms. Oils like tea tree and eucalyptus, when rubbed on your chest or forehead temples, will help with decongestion of the breathing passageways.

In fact, doctors agree that diffusing these oils in a diffuser in the comfort of your home, car or office, will ensure you have a better day despite the flu or cold.

2. Clear lungs and improved respiratory health

Eucalyptus is particularly a strong immune system booster. A natural expectorant, it serves to decongest and clear your lungs. It also very helpful with bronchitis and has an amazing oil with strong minty fragrance.

When diffused into the air it allows anyone who inhales it to breathe easier. The vapor tends to remain minty for a while because the diffuser continues diffusing even when switched off.

2. Clear lungs and improved respiratory health

3. Pain relief

Lavender, chamomile and peppermint essential oil are known for pain relief as well as reducing tension headaches. They can be massaged to the back of the neck, temples or diffused in a diffuser with to create a pleasant soothing and relaxing aroma.

Placing them in a diffuser allows them to be spread further and wider for the benefit of more people.

4. Better sleep

Roman chamomile, lavender, cedarwood and orange essential oils are known to reduce stress and help induce deep restorative sleep.

Dousing your pillow with a few drops can be effective. However, diffusing these oils will have your space fragrant and help you put everything else in the back banner and sink into deep sleep. The scent will also last longer.

5. Relief from sleep apnea and snoring

Chamomile oil has sedative qualities
Lemon oil is believed to have antispasmodic properties that help lubricate the back of the throat
Eucalyptus oil is good for decongestion

All the above essential oils used on their own or in a blend can relieve the symptoms of sleep apnea and snoring. Though they can be applied topically, using an ultrasonic diffuser is even better as particles of the oils are easily absorbed by the lungs and body.

6. Uplifted moods and stress relief

All essential oils are fragrant and serve to reduce depression and improve the mood depending on your preferences.

However, the most popular ones with calming abilities and feel good are:

Frankincense
Lavender
Tangerine
Geranium

Place them in a portable diffuser that you can take with you everywhere and diffuse as you go about your day.

7. Honed focus and cognitive function

Essential oils support emotional health. The below options are beneficial when you need to focus at the office, need to study or even during meditating as they help keep you sharp and focused:

Vetiver
Rosemary
Basil
Clary sage
Lavender
Peppermint
Lemon

These oils, when diffused, permeate your whole space inducing a sense of wellness. By promoting such feelings you become less distracted or stressed and focus on the task at hand giving it your full attention.

8. Improved concentration and increased productivity

When you are cheerful and upbeat, you are bound to be more productive as opposed to when you have a sagging spirit. These essential oils are great for this purpose:

Jasmine
Lavender
Peppermint
Cinnamon
Lemongrass
Geranium

8. Improved concentration and increased productivity

Although fragrances are a question of preference, the above are incredibly popular for this category. You only need a few drops in the diffuser to achieve a sense of calm and well being.

9. Enhanced meditation

For meditation and that zen feeling, using a diffuser for diffusing the below essential oils truly sets the mood and ambiance and helps you get in the frame of mind for meditation:

Pine essential
Camphor
Basil
Rosemary

10. Curbing the appetite

If you are on a diet or fasting, these essential oils will help you keep your appetite in check:

Peppermint
Grapefruit

A drop in the diffuser that has been placed on the intermittent setting will ensure you cravings are suppressed all day long.

11. Repelling insects

Essential oils like lavender and lemongrass can be unleashed in your home using a diffuser to repel insects while keeping your house fragrant at the same time.

12. Removing unpleasant odors and airborne pathogens

An essential oil diffuser, whether for your car, home, or office can do a better job of getting rid unpleasant odor and pathogens in your spaces by diffusing oils like lavender, lemon peppermint just to name a few.

Being antibacterial these essential oils discourage pathogens and promote health and wellness.

12. Removing unpleasant odors and airborne pathogens

13. Adding moisture to dry heated rooms

Most heated rooms are filled with dry air. An ultrasonic diffuser is a great way of both diffusing essential oils and humidifying the air in the room.

Breathing becomes easier and your respiratory system is more comfortable.

14. Safe alternative to candles

As opposed to using scented candles which may release a lot of lead into your home, essential oils are safe, easy to use option, which will diffuse for longer.

An essential oil diffuser will have options for setting timers to suit your purposes.

15. Saving you money

You will most definitely save money when using diffusers because they are effective, long-lasting and safe and promote overall body health.

Most diffusers will only use a couple of drops of essential oils, make your place fragrant, humidify the air, boost immunity and help with a myriad of conditions.

Conclusion

It is a well-established fact that aromatherapy is great at making us feel good and uplifting our sense of well being and even helping relieve stress, fatigue, depression and many other conditions.

Now, these benefits have been made more accessible through innovative and effective methods of diffusing essential oils. There is no excuse for not enjoying your favorite fragrance. You can do it anywhere and at any time and create your oasis in the midst of chaos.

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