How to use an aromatherapy diffuser

With so many options available, choosing an aromatherapy method can be confusing. Incense, candles, potpourri--different methods work better for different needs, but among professional aromatherapists, diffusers are a popular choice. Favored both for their efficacy and for their safety, they’re also user-friendly, which means learning to operate one is simple.

Why use a diffuser?

Diffusers are highly regarded by both aromatherapists and many health care practitioners, who consider the process one of the safest and most effective ways to disperse scent into the air.

It is also one of the purest forms, unlike commercially available incense and potpourri, which often have synthetic scents added in. These synthetic components can counteract the therapeutic effect of the essential oils and interfere with their potency. Though popular and easy to use, incense may give off dangerous and harsh-smelling chemicals, and candles and lightbulb rings, two other popular methods, can overheat the essential oils, altering their chemical composition and reducing their effectiveness. Diffusers, however, use a pump or very low heat to release fragrance into the air, better preserving the integrity of the oils. Because of this, the scent released is usually more aromatic and more effective.

How they work

To make the best use of a diffuser, it helps to understand how one works. Diffusers are designed to scent an entire room for several hours, and they use electricity to release the scent of a few drops of essential oil placed inside a small glass container within the device. Diffusers come in three forms: glass diffusers, hard-plastic diffusers and electric outlet diffusers. All diffusers use the same basic procedure: a few drops of essential oil are placed on or inside the diffuser, and when the diffuser is turned on, the oil is either warmed or pushed out by a small air jet pump. After a few minutes the scent is released into the air. Because the fragrance is released as a fine mist, it lasts longer and covers a wider area than most other aromatherapy methods.

Selecting the right kind

While all diffusers use the same basic process, there are subtle differences among the various types. All three work well for dispersing scent over a wide area, and all are designed to supply a continuous stream of fragrance. One of the biggest differences between them is the cost, which can vary greatly.

Glass diffusers use a small pump to waft a subtle aroma into the room, and because they do not use heat, the oil has a purer scent. They use an air jet pump connected to a glass bell to push out the fragrance molecules. A nebulizer inside the glass bell releases a fine mist into the air, similar to how fragrance is released in nature. One disadvantage: some pumps can be loud, so it’s important to find one designed to work quietly. Also, they are the most expensive, must be handled carefully because they are breakable and are not as widely available as other types of diffusers.

Hard-plastic diffusers are small and use either a pump, to dissipate fragrance, or low heat, to warm the oil and release its scent. They are easy to use, come in many styles and sizes, and often operate quietly. They are moderately priced and easier to find than glass diffusers. They are also the most popular among consumers, but it should be noted that the kind using heat can slightly alter an oil’s scent.

Electric outlet diffusers use essential oils dropped onto a pad, which is placed in the diffuser and plugged in. The heat then releases the scent into the immediate area. Some models are specifically designed for use within automobiles, and are powered through a car’s cigarette lighter. Electric outlet diffusers are usually the least expensive, but because they use heat, they can alter an oil’s scent slightly. In addition, the oils run out quickly and so must be replaced often.

Ways to use a diffuser

Because diffusers can scent a large area, and because they provide long-lasting fragrance, they are especially effective for group situations like gatherings or workplaces. Some health care facilities use them to prevent stress and insomnia, or to destroy bacteria. Because the mist released by diffusers is so fine, using essential oils with anti-bacterial properties may help reduce infection among patients. The fine mist is more effective at entering the body, and because it covers a wider area, it can be used to disinfect an entire ward. Diffusers are also ideal choices for entertaining, because the steady stream of fragrance can provide a mood-enhancing scent for several hours. And in the workplace, they can be used to release aromas that promote relaxation, concentration and stress reduction.

Diffusers are not the most common form of aromatherapy, but are highly recommended by professional aromatherapists. They provide a purer, longer-lasting scent than more common types of aromatherapy, and are considered safer and more effective. They’re also easy to use, which means even newcomers to aromatherapy can use them to create a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere in their home or office.