Choosing an Aromatherapy Diffuser and Essential Oils
There are so many benefits of essential oils! Breathing in and otherwise applying essential oils to the body can be relaxing or stimulating, consoling or invigorating. Millions of health-conscious people around the world make use of essential oils for a wide variety of wellness-promoting activities, such as relieving headaches and migraines, combating insomnia, and reducing stress. Besides that, essential oils can make a home smell and feel more inviting!
Studies have demonstrated the advantages of aromatherapy. For instance, it's estimated that some 43% of people who deal with stress and anxiety use some form of aromatherapy to help them cope. However, one often overlooked aspect of effective aromatherapy is the method of delivery. There are many different types of diffusers available for public consumption, but what are the advantages and drawbacks of each one? Is there a general consensus about which type of aromatherapy oil diffuser is best for most aromatherapy applications?
This article will answer those questions and more. But first, let's briefly talk about some of the essential oils that people commonly breathe in, along with their uses and benefits.
Essential Oils and Their Uses
There is a broad spectrum of essential oils available to the general public, and each person must determine which oil works best for him or her in a given situation. The following are some commonly used oils and the effects that they typically generate:
Peppermint. People often apply peppermint to their skin, or take a few sniffs of it, to assist their digestive process and bolster their energy level.
Sandalwood. This essential oil has been known to help with concentration, and calm frayed nerves.
Rose. Rose oil is often used to help reduce anxiety and promote a more positive frame of mind.
Lavender. This very popular essential oil is frequently used to relieve stress.
Bergamot. Apart from stress reduction, bergamot oil has been known to improve rashes, eczema, and other related skin conditions.
Lemon. People often use lemon oil to improve their mood, relieve a headache or migraine, or help with digestion.
Chamomile. This is often used as a mild relaxant.
Jasmine. This essential oil is said to boost libido, and help with childbirth.
Of course, there are many, many other essential oils not listed here that have their own uses and benefits. When it comes to aromatherapy, though, how are these and other oils diffused into the air?
Types of Diffusers
There are four basic types of aromatherapy oil diffusers available today. We will briefly discuss each type of diffuser in turn. The four categories are:
Heat diffusers. As the name implies, this type of diffuser achieves its purpose through heat. The heat evaporates the essential oil and disperses it into the surrounding air. While higher levels of heat lead to faster evaporation and a more intense scent, lower heat levels are preferred for maximum oil-derived health benefits.
Evaporative diffusers. Instead of a heat source, evaporative diffusers often have a fan that blows across the oil, thereby speeding up the evaporation process. These are very inexpensive diffusers; however, since lighter oil elements will disperse more quickly than heavier components during the evaporation process, some health benefits are lost by using this type of diffuser.
Ultrasonic diffusers (also known as humidifying diffusers). By means of ultrasonic vibrations, these diffusers break up the essential oil's molecules and disperse them throughout the surrounding air. These diffusers require water to be mixed in with the oil. While these are wonderful for situations which call for increased moisture in the air (such as cold or dry weather), the addition of water does dilute the impact of the essential oil.
Atomizers (or nebulizers). Many experts view atomizers, or nebulizers, as the best diffusers for essential oils. Atomizers don't require a heat source, and don't need the addition of water. In principle, an atomizer functions very simply. A stream of air flows across the top of a narrow tube, creating a vacuum that draws the oil up through the tube, until it reaches the top and is diffused into a fine mist. Many atomizers come equipped with timers that allow the user to plan out the best time for a burst of essence.
Out of these four diffuser types, many people hold that "no-water diffusers" are far superior to diffusers in which water must be added to the essential oil. Why is that the case?
Why No-Water Aromatherapy Diffusers are Superior
There are several reasons why people consider no-water aromatherapy diffusers superior to products that require water to be mixed in with the oil. Here are just a few:
When the essential oil is diffused via an ultrasonic product, the majority of the out-flowing mist is water vapor. That means that the health benefits supplied by the essential oil are greatly reduced.
For maximum effect, essential oil needs to be broken down into very small particles. For example, particles in the size range of 5 to 20 microns will only penetrate to the upper airway of the respiratory system. Particles at or slightly under 5 microns will generally penetrate to the lower airways. However, only particles in the range of 1 to 3 microns will reach the alveolar region, and thus provide the greatest impact from the oil.
Atomizers that don't use water also don't need a heat source, which can change the chemical composition of the essential oil and dampen its effect in that way.
Explore No-Water Aromatherapy Diffusers Today
If you are looking for maximum effect from your essential oil, most people in the know will recommend that you use an atomizer. No-water aromatherapy has a reputation for providing wonderful health benefits from undiluted essential oils, whether it's for stress relief, digestive aid, headache alleviation or simple relaxation.
There are a number of top notch no-water diffusers on the market today. At Three Drops of Life, we offer a number of no-water diffuser options to our customers, including atomizing units like The Palace, The Chateau, The Penthouse, and The Loft. Each of these products come with their own unique features, designed for your convenience, comfort, and wellness.
Explore our catalog today to find the essential oils and diffusers that will provide the greatest health benefits to you.