How Does A Diffuser Work?
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There is nothing better than coming home after a long day at work, running a bath, lighting some candles, or burning some essential oils so that you can truly unwind. Essential oils have been used for centuries to treat minor ailments, freshen up the home and to keep the air cleansed and smelling fresh.
These oils may be used in cosmetics, candles, and other products as natural therapies and remedies that can calm and soothe us. One of the many ways that we use essential oils is with a diffuser. So, what exactly is an essential oil diffuser, and how do they work? Find out in this quick and simple guide.
What is a diffuser?
In the most simple sense, an oil diffuser is used to fill the air of the room with breathable particles of essential oils. These oils are then diffused throughout the room, and inhaled to create a more calming, relaxed atmosphere.
Diffusers come in many different shapes and forms, but all are used to send the scents and properties of essential oils into the air, dispersing them around the home. You can buy simple reed diffusers with wooden sticks that soak up the scent and release the aroma into the room, or essential oil burners with a small candle lit beneath the oils.
These are now the most popular method of diffusing essential oils, and work with ultrasonic technology to disperse and diffuse the oils so that you can benefit from their properties. So, how do these diffusers work?
How does a diffuser work?
How a diffuser works depends on which type of oil diffuser you have. Some of the more common diffusers, the reed diffusers, work by inserting wooden sticks into a glass bottle filled with essential oils, so that the reeds can soak up the scent and emit the aroma. They do not require a flame or heat to diffuse the scent, and just disperse the oil naturally.
The ultrasonic diffusers work a little differently, as they are made with ultrasonic technology. What this means is that the vibrations of the plate of the diffuser causes ultrasonic waves, which makes microscopic particles of the oils to rise up the chamber and disperse into the air.
These types of ultrasonic diffusers only work if the tank is filled with water as directed by the manufacturer of that particular diffuser. Once the water tank is filled, you should add between 8-10 drops of your favorite essential oil, and then turn the diffuser on.
After you have filled the tank and added your oils, you will need to turn the diffuser on. Once on, the diffuser will make the disc underneath vibrate, which is what creates the ultrasonic waves that break down the oil particles. This then turns the oil into a mist as the essential oils and water mix together, and gets dispersed into the air so that it can be inhaled and fill the room.
Finally, we have essential oil burners/diffusers. These are not as effective as ultrasonic diffusers, and can be slightly more dangerous as they operate with an open flame. Much like you would use a wax melt, the essential oil is placed on the top in a well on the burner, and a small tealight candle is placed underneath to heat up the oil.
The flame causes the oil particles to break down, so that the smell can be diffused in the room. These types of diffusers are becoming less popular as the heat can actually damage the oil, and you do not get all of the benefits of the essential oils with this method. So, with this in mind, what are the benefits of essential oil diffusers?
What are the benefits of diffusers?
Essential oil diffusers have lots of benefits, which is why they are so popular, and found in homes all around the world. Some of these benefits are:
Increased feelings of calmness and serenity
Improved focus and clarity
Helps you relax
Boosts the mood
Helps improve breathing
Clears airways
Does not damage the properties of the oils
Fills the room with pleasant scents
Creates a better ambience
Other benefits of essential oil diffusers depend on the actual oils that you are using. For instance, some oils improve your focus and wellbeing, whilst other scents can help you get better sleep, or can alleviate stress. Some oils are used for better digestion, whilst others are intended for clearing the mind, or improving the skin. It depends which oils you want to use in your home, and the purpose of those essential oils.
Summary
To summarize, essential oils are perfect for cleansing the room, clearing the mind and uplifting your mood. They can be used to create a pleasant smelling environment, or as a means of creating a calming ambience in the home.
One of the main ways that we disperse essential oils into the air is with an essential oil diffuser. These diffusers come in many shapes, styles and sizes, but the most popular of these is the ultrasonic diffuser.
These diffusers work with ultrasonic waves that cause the oil particles to break apart, and mix with the water inside the diffuser’s tank. This in turn creates a mist that is ‘diffused’ and dispersed into the air through the chamber of the diffuser to bring a sense of peace and relaxation to all those who inhale it.