Essential oils have a lot of uses. One is to make your house smell nice.
Many people like to diffuse these highly concentrated plant extracts in their homes. That’s because they freshen the air without potentially toxic chemicals.
Essential oils are amazing effective at neutralizing stale odors and unpleasant cooking smells.
Aromatic oils also contain natural mood elevating compounds. So you can use them if you need a mental life. Citrus oils are especially good at brightening your outlook.
Essential oils do everything that scented candles do. And more. Without sending potentially dangerous compounds into the air.
Did you know that paraffin-based candles are a major source of indoor air pollution. That’s because they’re made from petroleum byproducts. (Sort of like letting a diesel truck run in your kitchen, with the windows closed.)
Essential Oil Diffuser vs Warmer
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If you’re brand new to essential oils, you may wonder how to use them.
I know I did. Actually, I used them wrong in the beginning.
It’s good to remember that essential oils are incredibly potent. They’re far stronger than the herbal remedy from which they’re made. This means we need to use them judiciously. You can read more about safe use of essential oils here.
Ingestion is never recommended. Except in specific instances while working with a medical doctor well trained in this practice. This will not apply to the average user.
But inhalation is a good way to enjoy essential oils, and receive their potential therapeutic benefits. Inhalation is a very efficient and safe way to get the healing compounds into your body. Once in the lungs, essential oil molecules travel to your bloodstream, in a dose that’s not overpowering or dangerous.
Many people like to distill essential oils into the air when they’re fighting a cold or the flu. Many oils, such as eucalyptus, seem to have a special affinity for the respiratory tract. Many essential oil companies sell special germ fighting synergy blends that contain eucalyptus oil.
In my home, during the colder months, I’ve often diffused a germ-fighting essential oil blend in the evening, when most of us were home.
Should I Get An Essential Oil Diffuser Or A Warmer?
If you can’t decide between an essential oil diffuser or an electric essential oil warmer, I’ll make it easy.
A cold-air essential oil diffuser is much better. That’s because it sends a mist of essential oils into the air without heating them. Heat may break down the molecular structure. So you may not receive the same therapeutic benefits.
However, an essential oil warmer will still help your house smell nice. Without potentially toxic chemicals. So I’d put it a distant second to a cold air diffuser.
An essential oil warmer is probably safer than a paraffin-based scented candle. But it’s possible toxins also form when essential oils are subject to heat. (But it’s just a guess. I haven’t been able to find any good information on whether this actually happens.)
I have made essential oil beeswax candles in the past. Again, I believe these are much better for you than paraffin candles.
But if I had the choice between an essential oil warmer or a diffuser, I’ll always go with a cold air diffuser.
Finding A Good Essential Oil Diffuser
I own an essential oil diffuser. It is a basic no-frills model and it works.
Essential oil diffusers don’t last forever. Eventually they just die. Perhaps a higher-end model would last longer. But they are not sturdy appliances.
The first diffuser I bought lasted a couple of years. The second one I purchased disappeared and I have no idea where it is. The third is the same (or very similar) model as the first two.
I’m happy with it and very happy with the price. You may want to get a more expensive diffuser if you’re going for a sleek style, or if you want a diffuser with a bigger well that will stay running longer.
However, bigger wells will also lead to more waste. You would need to add more essential oil to the well, to get the same concentration of aromatic elements in the mist.
So a basic no-frills essential oil diffuser is what I recommend. Below, you can see the one I own. (It’s fun to use at night because it has an interior light that changes colors.)
Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional.
