Essential Oil Diffuser

An essential oil diffuser is an excellent way to benefit from essential oils in your home.

A diffuser is simply a piece of equipment that disperses essential oils into the immediate surroundings.

I use a diffuser every day because of the way it brings the aromatic and transforming power of essential oils to any space I'm in.


Types of Diffusers

There are various types of essential oil diffusers.

The first type I ever purchased was a cold-air diffuser. The way this kind of diffuser works is that it atomizes an extremely fine mist of essential oils into the air where they can remain suspended for hours. 

This is the best kind of diffuser for maximizing therapeutic benefits, because it maintains the chemical composition of essential oils as they are dispersed.

There are a couple of drawbacks to be aware of with this kind of diffuser...

First, it can be loud, due to the mechanism involved. And, it can be more expensive to operate, because it goes through oils more quickly. But that said, to get the most therapeutic benefit, you can't beat an atomizing diffuser.


Most people today use an ultrasonic diffuser.

This type also diffuses essential oils in a microscopic mist, but the oils are mixed with water in a large sized well, making the diffusion process much longer.  This type of diffuser needs very little monitoring and goes through less oil.

If your main goal is air purification, an ultrasonic or vaporizing diffuser is ideal – and the most cost effective.

There are also diffusers that use evaporation to get essential oils into the air, either by heat or blowing air. Diffusers that use evaporation are very economical. But as the lightest oil components tend to evaporate first, they are not the best for therapeutic benefits.


Diffusers that typically use some kind of evaporation process, include car diffusers, travel diffusers, reed diffusers, and essential oil pendants or other kinds of jewelry.

There are some extremely simple, but less effective ways to diffuse as well.

You can put a few drops of an essential oil on a cotton ball and put it in a drawer or on a heat register. When I first got going with essential oils, I often used this method with some lemon oil or the blend Purification.

This approach can be beneficial -- and I still stick a cotton ball with oil in a drawer now and then -- but it does not have near the effectiveness of an electric diffuser. 


Benefits of Diffusing

We've personally benefited from our essential oil diffuser in many ways. Here are some of the ways that quickly come to mind...

  • air purification
  • air freshening
  • supporting normal immune function
  • promoting rest and good sleep
  • bringing calm and relaxation
  • improving alertness and concentration
  • facilitating normal breathing 

In addition to these benefits, research has shown that diffusing essential oils may also help maintain normal weight and overall hormone balance.

The benefits of diffusing essential oils are becoming more widely known. Nursing homes, for example, are beginning to diffuse essential oils to help their patients and staff.

Because of these benefits, users of therapeutic oils quickly want a diffuser to use in their own homes.


What are the best essential oils for a diffuser?

Just about any essential oil can be used in a quality diffuser -- with the exception of thick oils like myrrh, vetiver, or patchouli  

My favorite oils for diffusing are Thieves, lavender, lemon, Purification, peppermint, and a blend called Citrus Fresh. 

Having an essential oils diffuser is one of the best ways to get the most out of your essential oils.

And I believe as you get accustomed to essential oils yourself, diffusing oils will become a regular practice for you.

NOTE: the essential oil starter kit that I recommend comes with an efficient, easy to use home diffuser.


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