Oil Diffusers

The term Oil Diffusers refer to devices used in the scenting of a home or workplace with various fragrances designed to enhance energy, reduce anxiety, or otherwise alters moods. Oil diffusers come in many variations but essentially, oil diffusers release essential oils and fragrance oils into the air in a controlled manner. In Aromatherapy, oil diffusers are one of the most popular methods of accessing the healing power of essential oils. Oil diffusers can be used in many environments including your car.

Types of Oil Diffusers:

There are many different kinds of oil diffusers, which use various modes of delivery. The following list represents the most common types of oil diffusers.

Steam Oil Diffusers:
These oil diffusers use steam to diffuse oils, ensuring the purity of the fragrance. This diffuser is ideal for use in a child's room and is suitable for the home or office.

Forced Air Oil Diffusers:
There are quite a few of these oil diffusers on the market today. These are also inserted into an outlet and use a low level heat. However, these models have liquid inserts and small fans built in to help diffuse the scent even further.

Light Ring Oil Diffusers:
Usually metal or ceramic, you literally put a few drops of oil in the ring, and place on a light bulb (while it's cool). These oil diffusers can be hazardous - don't burn yourself or break the light bulb. Nice for reading and relaxing before bed.

Dashboard Oil Diffusers:
These insert into the cigarette lighter orifice in your car. They do use a low-level heat, and are prepared in the same manner as the Scentball, by inserting a treated pad. Daily treatment is recommended. This oil diffuser is great for when you are traveling or in your car a lot. Treated with Basil or Peppermint, it will help to keep you alert.

Reed Oil Diffusers:
These oil diffusers use reeds soaked in a fragrance solution to diffuse the scent. A reed diffuser is not only attractive but does not require electricity. If the scent needs to be replenished the reeds easily be flipped over to renew the fragrance.

Candles:
Candles can be purchased all ready made however you should inquire on the quality and validity of the ingredients. Many "aromatherapy" stated candles are made with fragrances, not pure essential oils. You can also use an unscented candle and add a couple drops to the melted wax as the candle is burning.

Heated Pad Oil Diffusers:
This kind of oil diffuser is a plastic ball, with a low-level heat plate. You put a pad on the plate that has been treated with a few drops of essential oils. These oil diffusers you can leave plugged in all the time with no safety hazard. To get full benefits, treat daily with a few drops of oil on the pad.

Low Heat Oil Diffusers:
These oil diffusers insert into the outlet. They do use a low-level heat that heats up an insert in the diffuser. The length that the insert will last varies to each manufacturer. This kind of oil diffuser is good for a bathroom but if you want large area coverage you might consider something else.

Ceramic Oil Diffusers (Angels, Pyramids, etc.):
These types of oil diffusers do not involve heat (normally). They rely on room temperature, sunlight, or a small breeze to distribute the fragrance. A drawback to these as opposed to having a disposable pad, the oils permeate the container. You will then need to treat the ceramic with compatible oils.

Candle Heated Burner Oil Diffusers
A few drops of pure essential oils are added to the water - filled reservoir of the burner and a night - light candle is placed below, which, when lit, gently heats the water, causing the oils to vaporize and scent the room.

Homemade Oil Diffusers:
Treating a piece of ribbon, then hanging it from the window. Putting a few drops of essential oil in a bowl of very hot water can scent a small room. Refreshing Potpourri with essential oils. Putting a few drops on a candle (before lighting).

Oil Diffusers Use Essential Oils and Fragrance Oils

• Essential Oils are oils derived from the actual plant, root, fruit, herb, leaf, bark, etc usually through distillation. They are used in aromatherapy diffusers, aromatherapy lamps, blends, baths, massages and inhalations. Because essential oils are more natural, many prefer them for their aromatherapeutic properties.
  
  
• Fragrance oils, on the other hand are derived from synthetic compounds. Because there are so many more synthetic compounds available than natural ones, a much wider variety of scents is available (many scents can not be distilled as essential oils). Fragrance oils also tend to have a longer "staying" power and do not dissipate into the air as rapidly. However, fragrance oils do not offer the caliber of therapeutic benefits that essential oils offer.