The Wonderful World of Diffusing: Benefits and Tips & Tricks

I'm guilty of having candles in every color, size and scent.  You know me.  I'm a romance girl.  Besides, can we eliminate everything that is potentially toxic? Okay, well maybe not everything, but we can eliminate what we know a little at a time to help relieve some of the toxic overload our bodies are constantly fighting to reduce.

Candles can turn a musty, smelling room into a tropical paradise.  But as it turns out, the emissions from many candles is suggested to be as harmful to our bodies as second hand smoke.  300 million tiny air sacs in our lungs must constantly exchange air with the outside.  These air sacs can fill with potentially carcinogenic dyes, paraffins and perfumes.  It's especially important to eliminate potentially candle emissions around small children and those with asthma for these reasons. (source)

BENEFITS:
Diffusing with essential oils is a healthy, natural way to freshen the air in your home while providing some wonderful homeopathic benefits.  Each doTERRA essential oil is a natural extract of plants found to be beneficial in a holistic approach to better health.  Inhaling the essential oils can promote emotional well-being, holistic healing and offer better sleep.

We now have 5 diffusers in our home that, at any given time, can be found wafting wonderful combinations of citrus, woodsy and aromatic bliss.  I took this picture of Noah's nightstand after he was fast asleep.  His nightly pre-bedtime ritual involves getting his diffuser ready for bedtime with 4 drops of doTERRA Lavender and 3 drops of doTERRA Cedarwood.

HOW TO:
Given that each essential oil has its own health benefits, select the doTERRA essential oil or oils that are right for you and add them to your diffuser.  (I chose doTERRA because I found the greatest results with doTERRA oils.  I found their oils to be pure and high quality (not blended or diluted) and the company to be reputable. Oh, and doTERRA has a great community that is supportive and helpful.  I love the positive energy of my doTERRA family!)

The average diffuser usually requires 5-7 drops of essential oil along with water filled to a fill line imprinted in the diffuser's reservoir.  Start by filling your diffuser with water (tap or filtered water is fine) and adding your oil using care around wood furniture.  I like to use a wash cloth on my nightstand to protect the wood finish.

NOTE: Since heat damages the integrity of the oils, use a diffuser that diffuses without heat. While diffusers also help to add moisture to the air, a regular vaporizer or humidifier won't work for diffusing oils.

Here are just a few diffusing blends to try:

And a new diffusing new favorite in my house is 6 drops of doTERRA White Fir and 1 drop of doTERRA lavender.  At bedtime.  Sleep on.

MY FAVORITES DIFFUSERS:
When purchasing a diffuser, these are the things to look for:

1. You want a diffuser that diffuses with a fine mist. The finer the better, since finer mist is easier for your body to inhale therefore gaining the most benefit from your essential oil.  Finer mist also means that a larger concentration of essential oil stays in the air longer.

2. An automatic shut off feature is awesome.  These types of diffusers usually turn off after the water and oil has depleted from the reservoir.

3.  If your diffuser has lights, make sure there is a feature to use the diffuser with a "lights off" option.

4.  Check the product description to see what the recommended square footage is for that particular diffuser.  (I have found the diffusers below to work well in room areas of up to approximately 500 sq feet in size.)

Here are my personal favorites:

doTERRA Aroma Lite Diffuser

You can buy it here

Also available at wholesale cost here

NOW Foods Ultrasonic Diffuser

(Up to 4-6 hours of diffusing)

You can buy it here

NOW Foods Faux Wood Diffuser

(Up to 8 hours of diffusing!)

You can buy it here

GreenAir Spa Vapor
Up to 3-4 hours of diffusing
You can buy it here

CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF YOUR DIFFUSER:

Many diffusers have intake holes beneath the unit that take in air for operation. Place your diffuser on a flat, hard surface such as a ceramic coaster or saucer for maximum air intake.  (If you are using a wash cloth or protective cloth for your furniture, place the towel beneath your coaster.) Having your diffuser operate with intake vents well ventilated will preserve the life of your diffuser.

Clean your diffuser every 6-7 uses.  I add pure white vinegar to the reservoir (fill about 1/3 to the fill line) and diffuse outdoors or near an open window to avoid the strong smell of vinegar indoors.  Once the diffusing cycle has depleted the vinegar in the reservoir, rinse your diffuser with medium hot water and let reservoir air dry uncovered.

MORE ABOUT OUR HOME AND MY MAD LOVE FOR DIFFUSING

I've been known to diffuse for our furry friends...

Diffusing offered Honey some post-surgery recovery back in April.  To comfort and calm her, I diffused 3 drops of lavender and 3 drops of Serenity. I also applied doTERRA lavender to her paws diluted with doTERRA fractionated coconut oil. She loves diffusing so much that when she sees me filling the diffuser on my bedside table, she knows it's bedtime and immediately starts to paw the bedside as her way of saying "let me up!" (Note: Consult with your vet about oils and your pets safety.  Click here for more info about animals safety .)

Thinking about diffusing makes me want to grab my diffuser and hold it tightly in my clutches.  Because I'm in love.  It's soothing, the oil combinations are endless and I am taking better control of my family's health and well being. And when you try diffusing with doTERRA essential oils, you'll be in love too.

To get started with your own doTERRA, click here.

It's time for bed.  

Sleep tight.

~Charlene