Essential Oils Articles | Diffusing Essential Oils

Are You Diffusing Oils?
by Melodie Kantner

Diffuser: a device that disperses essential oil into the air as a micro-fine vapor for aromatherapy purposes

Diffusion of essential oils into the air of an enclosed space (such as a house or office) is popularly called aromatherapy. That's because the highly aromatic, sweet-smelling molecules of the essential oils are literally breathed into the human body, at which point they trig ger numerous immune boosting, healing, relaxation or stimulation responses depending upon the specific oils being inhaled. Dr. Valnet points out that whether applied directly, or inhaled, essentials oils have virtually the same therapeutic impact on the human body. And Dr. Gary Young points out that the body's response time to inhalation of essential oils can be as quick as one to three seconds! This is why, for many people, inhalation is the preferred method of use of the essential oils.

Moreover, when oils are diffused in a home or office, they purify the air itself by removing toxins, metallic particles and other harmful microscopic debris. They also increase the atmospheric oxygen of the air, and boost levels of beneficial ozone and negative ions which, as shown earlier in this report, dramatically inhibit the growth and reproduction of airborne pathogens. Further, as the odorous molecules drift to the various surfaces of each room (ie., ceilings, floors, walls, tiling etc.), they rapidly kill virtually all pathogenic bacteria, rifles, molds and fungi they come into contact with. And lastly, they completely destroy odors from mold, cigarettes, household pets and more.

Essential oils can be diffused into the air in a number of ways. During summer months when you have a fan or air conditioner running, one of the simplest ways to diffuse is to put a few drops of your favorite oil onto a kleenex and secure the kleenex next to the air vent or the fan cage so that the air blows across it. The blowing air then circulates the aromatic molecules of the essential oil throughout your house, and you breathe them in as you go about your normal daily household activities.

Perhaps the most popular and effective method of diffusing oils is to buy a product called a Diffuser, which sprays an ultra-fine mist of the essential oil of your choice into the air. The millions of misted particles sprayed from a diffuser are so fine they can hang in the air of your house literally for hours, spreading from room to room via the normal air circulation that occurs as you walk through your house.

One of our favorite methods of diffusing, if only because of its simplicity, is to purchase an inexpensive 4 oz. or 6 oz. "mister" or spray bottle such as you'd use to mist house plants. Fill the mister with water, add 15 or 20 drops of essential oil, shake well, and then walk through your house briefly "misting" each room with the solution as you go.

*** NOTE: Always use cold diffusion. NEVER HEAT ESSENTIAL OILS.
You will alter the chemistry, rendering them therapeutically useless.

Regardless of which method of diffusion you choose, you'll find immediate beneficial effects. For example, diffusing oils into a room where someone is sick with a cold or flu can cut their downtime by half or more. According to the experts, recovery can be accelerated by as much as 70%! And regular diffusion of essential oils can practically eliminate your normal change-of-season bouts with colds or flu. According to Dr. Valnet, "Many essences (e.g. cinnamon, pine, thyme, lemon) have marked effects on influenza, and patients treated with these essences seem to get through the winter without trouble."

By way of personal experience with these amazing essential oils, we have found them to offer much in the way of additional therapeutic benefits, going way beyond their powerful immune boosting and anti-microbial properties. For example, simply smelling the essential oil of lavender right out of the bottle can knock out a stubborn sinus headache within 60 to 90 seconds. Smelling the essential oil of eucalyptus for just several minutes helps to open clogged nasal passages and clear up sinus congestion like magic. And smelling the essential oil of peppermint for several minutes will usually completely eliminate acid indigestion and heartburn.

We have also personally discovered that the essential oils of birch or helichrysum will often completely alleviate knee and joint pains when applied directly to the painful area. That's because they both have chemical constituents that are anti-inflammatory and analgesic, in addition to their oxygenating, immune-boosting and anti-microbial properties! Other essential oils, such as rose, lavender and ylang ylang can be rubbed into the area of the back, up and down the spine, just before bedtime if you suffer from insomnia. Their amazing calming and relaxing effects practically guarantee a sound nights sleep--even if you're a chronic insomniac! And again, you receive these benefits on top of all of the other powerful anti-pathogenic, immune-boosting, cell-nourishing, body oxygenating and health-enhancing properties of the oils!