Best Essential Oil Humidifiers
Using an essential oil diffuser (also known as a humidifier) with essential oils may be an excellent method to get the health advantages of essential oil inhalation. It may also provide a nice perfume while disguising bad odors in your house. Because some diffusers are also humidifiers, they may help to enhance the quality of your indoor air. However, with so many various kinds of humidifiers/diffusers on the market, determining which one is best for you may be difficult. We examine the four distinct categories below to help you pick. Ultrasonic, nebulizing, evaporative, and thermal humidifiers are the most prevalent kinds of humidifiers or diffusers.
Ultrasonic
Ultrasonic humidifiers generate a vapour by breaking up essential oils with vibrations. This is then discharged into the atmosphere. This style of a diffuser is silent and suitable for a broad range of essential oils. One disadvantage of ultrasonic humidifiers is their high cost. Some cost about £100 ($125), but there are several that cost less. Ultrasonic diffusers are not as successful as other forms of humidifiers at hydrating the air. When used as a diffuser, however, they only utilize a minimal quantity of essential oil.
Furthermore, they are very silent, so there is no background noise to disturb you. As a result, they are perfect for usage at night since they operate quietly in the background. Because an ultrasonic diffuser does not utilize heat, the essential oils’ integrity, and hence their therapeutic properties, are preserved (1). Citrus oils should not be used in conjunction with this kind of diffuser. This is because the acid might harm the diffuser (2).
Nebulising
The nebulizing diffuser is the gold standard among diffusers. This sort of diffuser costs more than an ultrasonic diffuser, but it can cover a bigger area and emit a much stronger aroma. A nebulizing diffuser compresses the essential oil, releasing it as a vapour into the air. This kind of diffuser, like the ultrasonic diffuser, is likewise quiet. Some nebulizing diffusers feature timed settings that allow them to switch off after a certain length of time or to start and stop at various times during the day. This is significant since, ideally, a diffuser should only be used for up to an hour in a well-ventilated environment. Some generate ambient light that changes color, which is pleasing to the eye but provides no benefit. Finally, the quantity of essential oil utilized in certain nebulizing diffusers may be adjusted based on the user’s preferences.
Because this sort of diffuser often contains glass, it must be placed on a hard, level surface that cannot be easily knocked over. When utilizing various essential oils, the reservoir must be cleaned before each usage. However, some nebulizing diffusers allow you to simply connect the bottle of essential oil that you wish to utilize. This eliminates the need for cleaning and makes changing the essential oil to fit your mood or need much simpler (3).
This sort of diffuser should not be mistaken for a nebulizer, which is used to provide medicine to people who have asthma. A medical nebulizer turns the medicine into a mist that may be readily breathed, allowing the patient to breathe more comfortably (4). Those with asthma should not be exposed to essential oils in any form. This is due to the presence of volatile chemicals known as terpenes. These terpenes may irritate the lungs of asthmatic patients. This might result in shortness of breath and other adverse respiratory effects. The primary culprits are lavender, tea tree, and eucalyptus essential oils, which should be avoided if you have asthma (5).
Evaporative
An evaporative diffuser is another form of a diffuser. This less expensive diffuser circulates air through a wick soaked with essential oils using a fan. Because it is less efficient at spreading essential oils into the air than a nebulizing or ultrasonic diffuser, this kind of diffuser is less expensive. Pendants and bracelets are two more forms of non-motorized evaporative diffusers. The perfume of the essential oil is simply diffused by the airflow in the room or by body heat.
Because they are tiny and portable, evaporative diffusers are the perfect sort to use while traveling. The disadvantages of these diffusers include the fact that they are not as powerful as ultrasonic and nebulizing diffusers, that they cannot be used as humidifiers, that they may require power in the form of batteries or a nearby plug socket, and that the absorbent wick must be replaced on a regular basis (2).
A reed diffuser is another form of an evaporative diffuser. The essential oil liquid is frequently contained in a beautiful or colored glass container. Use as many wooden sticks as will fit within the bottle’s neck. These range in width from a matchstick to 5mm and are about 18cm long. They stand in an oily liquid that soaks up along their length. The aroma is then distributed by the wind throughout the space. If you can’t smell the aroma anymore, flip the reeds every now and then. The more you do this, though, the quicker the oil in the container will be depleted. In general, the oil in the bottle should last up to six months before needing to be replaced. The reeds should also be changed; however, they may be reused if the same essential oil is utilized (6). Reed diffusers are reasonably priced, and their aroma is not overbearing. They should be put securely on a level surface where they will not be knocked over easily since they contain liquid and have no cover.
Heat
A heat diffuser slowly warms the essential oil using an element or candle flame, enabling the oil to release its therapeutic effects into the air. Heat diffusers are often less expensive than other kinds of diffusers. Heat diffusers have the disadvantage of degrading some of the qualities of essential oils. When using candles, you should also be cautious of the danger of fire and ensure that they are extinguished when you leave the room. Heat diffusers are an excellent choice for people searching for a low-cost approach to reap the advantages of essential oils.
There are a few things to bear in mind while diffusing essential oils. First and foremost, you must choose the appropriate diffuser for your purposes. There are several diffusers on the market, and they are not all made equal. If you’re worried about safety, go with a diffuser that doesn’t utilize heat. Second, it is critical to thoroughly read the directions that come with your diffuser. This will assist you in understanding how to operate the diffuser correctly and safely.
Finally, before utilizing any essential oil, do your homework. Lavender and chamomile, jasmine and bergamot, ylang-ylang and bergamot, peppermint and eucalyptus, tea tree and patchouli are the essential oils regarded the greatest because of their popularity, scent, and medicinal effects (7). Some essential oils are not ideal for diffusing and might even be dangerous if used incorrectly. Diffusing essential oils may be a healthy approach to improving your well-being with a little care and prudence.
There are many varieties of diffusers, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. When selecting a diffuser, take into account your budget as well as your demands and preferences. A heat diffuser may be the ideal solution for you if you are seeking a low-cost alternative. If you’re concerned about safety, an ultrasonic or nebulizing diffuser would be a better choice. Before using any essential oil, be sure to thoroughly read the directions and do research on the diffuser.
References
- Which Essential Oil Diffuser Should I Use? https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/healthy-living-which-diffuser
- How Does An Essential Oil Diffuser Work? https://www.sparoom.com/blog/how-do-diffusers-work/
- 5 nebulizing diffusers for essential oils https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/nebulizing-diffusers
- Nebulizer https://www.webmd.com/asthma/guide/home-nebulizer-therapy
- Essential oil diffusers and asthma https://www.aaaai.org/Allergist-Resources/Ask-the-Expert/Answers/Old-Ask-the-Experts/oil-diffusers-asthma
- Can you reuse diffuser reeds? https://www.lifestylepackaging.com/useful-resources/diffuser-packaging/can-you-reuse-reed-diffuser-sticks/
- Best essential oils https://www.healthline.com/health/best-essential-oils
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