Is there a ‘right’ diffuser to use for essential oils?

Yesterday, I had a great question from one of my clients here in Dubai and I thought, what a great thing to post about.

She wanted to know what type of diffuser she should be using.

Turns out, she the wants to use one of my Christmas blends to give her house a lovely Christmassy feel. Small plug for me here too – my Christmas blends are now available and soooo yummy, so if you’re interested, check out more info in the Blends by Em Shop! :)

There are literally thousands of diffusers on the market.

Which one is better? And what’s going to work best for you and your family?

Why diffuse oils anyway?

Well, let me start by saying that diffusing oils in the house not only give the air a beautiful aroma, but it can also can clean the air, depending on the oils used.

And the personal benefits are important. The oil molecules released into the air will penetrate your olfactory receptors when you inhale, giving them direct access to the brain and nervous system. They also go to the lungs where they can be absorbed into your bloodstream and carried to the areas of the body to cause an effect. Diffusion as a method is most effective for supporting mood, anxiety and sometimes to help with respiratory issues.

For example, when my kids started home schooling, I wanted them to get into the right mindset at the start of the day and to create a clear break between ‘home relax time’ and ‘home study time’. So when they were ready to start lessons, I would diffuse a blend of peppermint and rosemary in the room they were studying in. These two oils are fantastic for alertness, memory and for stimulating the brain to switch on, as well as smelling fresh and fabulous.

But then on the weekends, I use oils like may chang, sweet orange or bergamot – happy oils that lift mood, enhance positive emotions and bring calm and peace. This helps our household feel relaxed and happy during our downtime and it helps the kids clearly distinguish (on a subconscious level mostly) when it’s time for work, and when it’s time for rest.

What types of diffusers are there?

So, back to the question – what diffuser should I get?

There are basically four methods of diffusion:

Ultrasonic

Uses water and ultrasonic waves to create an effect like boiling water but without the heat. The vibrations break down the essential oils into tiny microparticles which then disperse into the air as a fine mist Very common and can be cost-effective.

• Advantages - They come in different sizes, and some feature coloured lights and a timer

• Disadvantages - They can be problematic with pure essential oils as sometimes the cheaper ones don’t have great quality plastic and the oils corrode them quickly

Atomising (also called nebulising)

Usually have a glass ‘nebuliser’ and plastic base that contains the motor. They take essential oils and break them into separate molecules before dispersing the smaller molecules into the room.

• Advantages - The smaller molecules can be more readily absorbed by the lungs and thus create greater therapeutic value than other diffusion methods. They also give a more potent scent

• Disadvantages - Very fragile due to the glass component. Cleaning these can be tricky, especially if using viscous oils like patchouli or sandalwood which can quickly clog them if not mixed with thinner oils

Fan/evaporative

A small fan is used to blow on the oils that have been dripped onto a filter or other such surface

• Advantages - Usually more effective for a large space as they disperse the oils quickly

• Disadvantages - These ones can be noisy and they consume more energy to run the fan. Replacement pads and filters can be pricey

Heat (including electronic heat diffusers, candle burners and lamp rings)

Similar to evaporative diffusers these use heat rather than air to disperse the oils into the air

• Advantages - Usually cost effective and simple to use, these are a popular choice in both homes and workspaces and the scent released can be more subtle. They tend to be better for the more viscous oils as well as they are easy to clean

• Disadvantages - The heat can disrupt therapeutic qualities of the oils, although electronic ones usually have temp control to allow you to set a low temperature. There are the standard risks of candles and some risk of getting oil on a the bulb with a lamp ring

But what should I choose? What are the non-negotiables?

So what to choose?

Well, ultimately it’s up to you and what type of effect you’re looking for. Aside from all the considerations mentioned above, as a minimum, make sure you pick a diffuser that’s:

1. Easy to clean

2. Has a timer

3. Is of a size that’s suitable for the room you intend to use it in.

And how many drops of oil do you use?

Well again, that depends on the size and type of diffuser and manufacturers will always give you instructions/recommendations. But generally anything from 8-15 drops is a safe amount.

Safety Notes

There are some safety points to be aware of with diffusers. Like everything to do with essential oils, less is more, and we need to be careful of how we use them to ensure help, not harm.

So some safety points to note:

• The Tisserand institute, one of the authorities on all things aromatherapy, recommends diffusing intermittently rather than constantly, all day long. Diffuse essential oils for 30-60 minutes on, then 30-60 minutes off as a safe way of using a diffuser as the air in a room will become saturated quite quickly.

• Your nervous system adapts to the scent of the oil over time. So you will notice, or may have already noticed, that you can’t smell the oil after about 30-45mins because you’re brain now recognises it. So there is little benefit to diffusing all day – you’re really just wasting precious oils.

• Keep some fresh air circulating if you can while using a diffuser to avoid nasal or bronchial irritation

• If you are trying to cleanse the air with a stronger oil like Thyme don’t be in the room at the same time. It’s safer to set the diffuser, then clear people out of the room while it’s operating. Re-enter after 30mins-1 hour switch off the diffuser and open up the room to air it out. The oils will have done their job and you won’t have to worry about allergies or irritations - a far safer approach, especially if you are using oils in kids rooms.

• Car diffusers aren’t a great idea. They tend to pick up toxic off-gas emissions from synthetic materials in the car and potentially increase their harmful effects. Much better to wear your oils or use an inhaler if you’re looking for therapeutic benefits from the oils. Or use a flower water spray in the car if you just want a nice smell without the nasty chemicals of deoderisers.

So there you have it. A guide to diffusers and safe diffusion.

Enjoy your beautiful smelling home!

And as always, love to hear if you have any questions/comments. Please just add them to the blog or message me directly on FB or Insta @blendsbyem.

Keep smiling!

Emx