And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. Revelation 22:2
What is diffusing oils?
What does it mean to diffuse essential oils and what are the benefits? Diffusing essential oils is when a diffuser disperses small molecules into the air. The diffuser breaks the oils down into smaller parts and releases them in the vicinity, allowing you to breathe in the fragrance and oil particles.
This practice is one method of aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is breathing in essential oils for health and wellness support of various body systems. You may also benefit when molecules absorb through your skin.
Which essential oils should I choose?
When choosing essential oils, quality, distilling practices, and farm practices matter. That’s why you should know the source.
Pure essential oils are oils from plants that have not had any ingredients added to change the fragrance or shelf life. They hould also be from plants that have been grown without pesticides.
Pure essential oils do not expire, if they are kept in a cool, dark place. For effectiveness, essential oils should come from a first distillation so they are as strong as possible.
Quality Matters
Quality matters, so it is important to choose real (not synthetic), pure (unadulterated) essential oils, no matter how you use them. By real oils I mean essential oils that have been distilled from plant parts.
Most essential oils on today’s market are synthetic and used for perfumes and fragrance in personal care products; so, you must use care when purchasing essential oils. Synthetic essential oils are manufactured and often contain harmful chemicals which you do not want to breathe in. They also provide no therapeutic benefit.
Distillation Matters
Another consideration is choosing oils that are the product of a first distillation. They are more potent and beneficial.
First distillation means the first time the plant parts, whether stems, leaves, or bark, are distilled. The first distillation provides the purest, most effective essential oils.
Essential oils made from subsequent distillations will not be as strong. As an example, think about making coffee. Coffee made from fresh grounds will be stronger and more tasty than coffee made from grounds that have already been brewed three or four times.
In the same way, essential oils properly distilled from a first distillation at the appropriate temperature will be more effective than those from later distillations or from inappropriate temperatures.
Farm Practice
Farm practice is also extremely important. Use of pesticides will alter the purity of the oil dervied from plants. Time of harvest, even down to the hour, can affect the plant, and, ultimately, the essential oil. Know your farmer.
What are essential oils?
Pure essential oils are the life blood of plants. They help plants stay healthy, and they support our health as well when used aromatically, topically, or internally.
Essential oils come from various parts of the plant: flower petals, citrus peels, grasses, tree barks, and resins. Oils are extracted from plant parts through steam distillation or cold pressing.
What diffusing methods can I use?
Diffusing methods refer to ways to get the essential oils into the air. Practically, this means any method where the benefit from the oils comes from breathing them in–the aroma.
Use a Diffuser
A diffuser is the most common way to disperse essential oils. They emit molecules into the air and allow a passive yet potent method of aromatherapy. As you breathe in the air around you, your well-being is supported.
You may not even notice the fragrance after a time. Your nose gets used to the smell. But if you leave the room and return, you will likely it notice again.
How long should I run my diffuser?
You can run a diffuser in short spurts of fifteen to sixty minutes, or you can run it longer, even through the night to support sleep. Most diffusers have time settings for intervals of 1, 3, 6, or even 10 hours of time.
There are many features options to consider when choosing a diffuser. Other features include ambient light, ionizers, remote control, and sound or white noise. There are even USB diffusers that plug directly into your computer or laptop and travel diffusers.
What essential oil blends can I diffuse?
Blending essential oils in your diffuser is largely a matter of personal taste or therapeutic benefit. When diffusing for pleasure and scent, choose any oils that you think smell great together.
For therapeutic support, I recommend blending singles with singles or singles with blends. If you mix blends together, you may alter the synergy that has been created for targeted support. You can also create custom diffuser blends. You can also mix them ahead of time so they are ready for the diffuser.
Use the Essential Oils Bottles
While using a room diffuser is the most common practice, you can benefit from aromatherapy by opening your favorite bottle of essential oil and inhaling it. Even leaving an open bottle in a room will provide some benefits.
You can also place a drop of oil in the palm of your hand, rub your hands together, then cup your hands over your nose to inhale.
Use DIY Diffusers
You can create a passive diffuser with bath salts, reeds, succulents, cotton balls or pads, bracelets, and lockets.
What are the benefits of diffusing essential oils?
Diffusing essential oils helps support mood, focus, sleep, prayer/mediation, and the immune system.
- Support prayer – Essential oils can help bring your mind and spirit into focus. I like to use Frankincense.
- Cleaner air – Essential oils can cleanse the air and rid it of unwanted odors. My favorite for this is a blend called Purification.
- Uplifted mood – Feeling down? Citrus oils are great for giving you a boost and more positive outlook.
- Improved Focus – Need to get down to business? Try peppermint or lime. A little bit of these oils goes a long way. Keep diffusing time short if using these.
- Improved sleep – Too much on your mind? Calm your brain with Lavender.
- Natural fragrance that is safe- Many people love having their homes smell nice. They have favorites scents. But often, they create those scents with candles or plug-ins, which contain harmful chemicals. A diffuser is a much safer option.
How can I diffuse essential oils safely?
How much essential oil you use depends on the size of the diffuser and the size of the room. Diffusers come with directions of recommended amounts. However, use fewer drops when first starting essential oil practice.
How much essential oil do I use in my diffuser?
Start with 1-3 drops in your diffuser. Increase over time if desired. Diffuser directions and recipes may recommend up to 8 or 10 drops, but you can always adjust the recipe by decreasing the amounts.
Diffuser recipes are more art than science. Adjusting them is often about personal taste and tolerance levels.
Although blending different oils in a diffuser is a safe practice, I recommend starting with one essential oil at a time. This helps you determine which essential oils are your favorites.
Are all essential oils safe for a diffuser?
It is important to use pure essential oils in a diffuser. Do not use synthetic oils or oils that have been pre-diluted with a carrier oil. Carrier oils are fatty oils– like olive, sunflower, or coconut. These oils will clog your diffuser.
Are there side effects to diffusing essential oils?
- Using too many oils too quickly may cause discomfort as your body detoxes. You may experience a minor headache. You should stop diffusing at that time.
- I advise using only one essential oil at a time in your diffuser to start. Don’t blend them at first. When starting to diffuse, stick to one or two oils so if there is a sensitivity issue, you can quickly identify the essential oil causing your discomfort.
- If you experience discomfort, turn off your diffuser and take a break. Depending on the extent of your reaction, wait 24 to 48 hours to diffuse again.
- Ventilate the area if you cannot leave it. Open a door or window.
What if I have allergies?
Experiment slowly and make initial choices based on past experiences. For example, I am highly sensitive to strong floral smells. It took me a long time to get used to lavender, but now I tolerate well.
I personally avoid strong flower fragrances like rose and geranium. However, I have no problem diffusing clove, cinnamon, peppermint, lemon, lime, eucalyptus, or copaiba. There are so many varieties of essential oil, you can choose what you love and what works for you.
Can I diffuse around infants and small children?
Diffusing oils is safe for children but use caution with infants. If you use a diffuser in a child’s room, begin with a small amount, based on age. If there are known sensitivities, experiment slowly over time, one oil at a time.
What if I have pets?
Pure essential oils are safe for pets; however, never leave a pet in an enclosed room with a diffuser. Leave a door open so they can leave. If you run a diffuser all night, and if you close your bedroom door, your pet should not be in there.
Conclusion
Getting started with essential oils is easy. You don’t need to know everything at once. Choose a diffuser, choose a few high-quality essential oils, and begin slowly. You can also use essential oils topically and internally. Read How to Use Essential Oils.
Essential oils are potent and help cleanse our bodies and bring detoxification; so, when beginning, diffuse for short periods and use just a few drops.