Understanding Diffusion

To be effective, essential oils must be disbursed throughout the environment. In the world of aromatherapy, the proper term for this type of disbursement is diffusion. There are many ways aromatherapy oils can be diffused including several methods that make use of items you likely have lying around the house. Commercial solutions are items that have been created especially for the purpose of diffusing aromatherapy oils and they're available for purchase.

Overview of commercial aromatherapy diffusion solutions

A lamp ring fits on a light bulb. This popular option is made using terra cotta. The lamp ring has a groove into which essential oils are placed. When the lamp is turned on, the heat from the bulb heats the ring which heats the oils. As oils are heated, they're diffused into the environment.

Also made from terra-cotta, clay pots are another type of inexpensive commercial solution. Essential oils aren't heated. They're simply poured into and stored within the pot. To operate, you remove the cork and the aroma from the oils is released.

A candle diffuser is a self-contained unit that utilizes a small candle as a heat source and a tray for holding oils. When the candle is lit, the heat from the flame warms the oils which then release their aromas. Candle diffuser styles abound but as with all diffusers that utilize heat, there is the potential of degrading the oil's properties.

Fan diffusers don't utilize heat and are more efficient at disbursing an aroma. Essential oils are placed onto an absorbent pad which is then inserted into the appropriate fan opening. Cool air blows over the pad, picks up the scent and carries it throughout the room. Electric or battery-operated, they're portable but can be noisy. To be effective, it's important to look for a fan large enough to accommodate the room size.

An electric heat diffuser is a unit that first heats oils and then uses a built-in fan to diffuse them.

The most sophisticated (and expensive) aromatherapy diffusion product is the nebulizer. This 3-part system consists of an electric pump, glass container and a tubing/cork. The pump forces small amounts of essential oils through the twisted glass. This action breaks oils into tiny droplets which are then disbursed throughout the room. The oils aren't degraded, just reduced in size, which helps to maximize aromatherapy benefits.

Overview of household aromatherapy diffusion solutions

If you'd rather not spend any money on diffusers, you can easily make your own or you can use candles. The simplest household diffusion system needs only a tissue and oil. Onto the tissue place several drops of essential oil and position tissue nearby. Aromas are released from the tissue with movement. Although effective, the aroma released isn't very strong and doesn't last long.

Steam diffusion is quick and needs just boiling water and essential oils. All you do is place about 10 drops of oil into boiling water. The steam carries molecules of evaporated oil throughout the room.

Using candles to diffuse aromas is easy too. Light a candle and allow to burn for a few minutes. This will melt some wax around the base of the wick. Blow out the flame and add a few drops into the melted wax. Reignite the wick so the aromas can start dispersing throughout the room.

Although steam diffusion and candles are effective household diffusion methods, the aroma released isn't long-lasting and the heat can damage the properties of the oils.

What Diffusion Means in the Aromatherapy World

Aromatherapy has around for thousands of years. Ancient Egypt, Italy, India, and China used plant essential oils. It uses the medicinal properties of the essential oils of herbs and plants. Aromatherapy is widely practiced in North America and Europe as a part of spa treatments and holistic treatments of illnesses. The oils are extracted from flowers, leaves, stems, buds, branches, and roots. Diffusers are used to project the scent into a room in a fast and efficient way.

Aromatherapy oils can affect almost any part of the body. It can be used as an antiviral, tranquilizer, diuretic, and antibacterial and for stimulation of the senses. The molecules from the essential oils are pulled in through the nasal cavity and goes to the limbic system in the brain. This part of the brain influences emotions, memories and is linked to the adrenal, pituitary gland, and hypothalamus. These glands are important because they regulate heart rate, reduce stress, improve memory, keep your hormones balanced, and help with breathing. Essential oils used in aromatherapy can immediately balance the emotional and physiological parts of our brain. They are toxic if taken internally but can be used orally with the guidance of a professional trained in this field.

Diffusers put the essential oils into the atmosphere and start healing almost instantly. Various ailments such as allergies, stress, burns, earache, PMS, insect bites, and insomnia showed improvement with the use of aromatherapy. There are many more illnesses that aromatherapy is able to help.

There are several means of diffusing essential oils and using them in treating various ailments and allergies. You can start with something that is simple and with items we normally all have in our homes. Drop little drops of essential oils on a tissue and put it on a table close to you. This is an easy form of diffusion. Any movement in the room or by you will release a new wave of scent into the atmosphere.

Steam inhalation is also used for respiratory problems, Remember the Vicks rub on the chest with your head hanging over a kettle of steam? We experienced a sense of relief and easier breathing after it was over. Placing a few drops of oil into a bowl of boiling water can set up steam diffusion. It should be around 10 drops to be effective. The steam will allow them to spread quickly throughout a room by evaporation. This is a quick diffusion method but doesn’t last long.

Candle diffusion is another way of sending the scent throughout a room. Allow a candle to burn for about five minutes, blow it out, and then place one drop of scented oil in the melted wax. Be sure not to get it on the wick, and then relight the candle. Essential oils are flammable, be careful when using the candle diffusion method.

Lamp rings are also favorites for essential oil diffusion. They are inexpensive and the scented oil is placed in a groove around the ring and then placed on the lamp. The oil if dropped on the lamp can cause the bulb to burst, so care should be used.

As with all the above heat methods of diffusion, it’s important to remember that heating can reduce the ingredients in the essential oils and they may not be as effective.

The cold method of diffusion is one that is most recommended. It consists of a small pad that you place a few drops of oil on and then place it on a tray. The fan will then blow across the pad and fill the room with fragrance. You will need to be sure the fan size will fill the room you are using it in. Some may be too small for rooms and the benefits are reduced. You can buy these diffusers as either battery operated or by electricity. Some will have the ability to convert from battery to electrical with an adapter.

Fan diffusers can be found in many different shapes and sizes. It will be easy for you to find the size you need for the room you wanting the aromatherapy. Fan diffusers are portable and can be moved from room to room. It’s easy to change the pad in the diffuser and place it in your child’s room to ease cold symptoms.

Recommended Site

Visit HyperPhysics for more on the science of diffusion