The Health Benefits of Diffusing Essential Oils

Now that the cooler weather is approaching and we're nesting inside our homes, essential oils provide the most natural way to give your home a delightful aroma. To set the mood or address your moods you can use one essential oil or blend your own unique aromas. You can choose oils which are antibacterial or antiviral when illness is around, that can lift the atmosphere when depression overhangs the house, or customize the scent to celebrate the seasons and holidays.

Essential oil diffusers work by emitting essential oils into the air. This means you can inhale and absorb the benefits into your body, which can aid relaxation but also works wonders for your senses. For example, if you're looking to relax after a stressful day, it can make all the difference.

Oil diffusers have both physical and emotional benefits, such as neutralizing airborne pathogens, supporting our respiratory system, quieting and sedating our nervous system, and triggering emotional states.

Diffusing breaks the oils up into a micro-fine mist that is then dispersed into the air. The oils, with their oxygenating molecules, will then remain suspended for several hours to freshen and improve the quality of the air. A standard rule of thumb is to diffuse for 15 to 20 minutes, which is more than enough time to saturate a standard-size room with scent molecules.

There are many different types of diffusers you can purchase, and not all are created equal. To get the most from diffused essential oils, choose a cold-air diffuser that uses ultrasonic vibrations to break the oils up into a fine mist, which remains suspended in the air for hours, freshening while treating you to the therapeutic properties of the essential oils of your choice. I also recommend a timing feature on the diffuser.

Essential oils don't just mask odors as many commercially produced chemical air fresheners do, instead they interact with the molecules that our bodies interpret as odors.

Safety: Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using a diffuser. Remember less is better than more when diffusing essential oils. I recommend only using 6-8 drops per diffusion.

While inhalation and diffusing are wonderful and easy ways to integrate essential oils into your routine, keep in mind that you should always diffuse in a well-ventilated area and make sure that what you’re diffusing is safe for pets, children, or anyone else who may be around.

Here are my favorite blends I wanted to share with you.

By the Fire:                                   First Snowfall:                                      Winter Forest:

2 drops Cinnamon                      1 drop Clove                                         2 drops Sandalwood

2 drops Frankincense                 2 drops Douglas Fir                            2 drops Douglas Fir

3 drops Orange                           3 drops Wintergreen                           4 drops Cypress

Lavender Sleep:                      Break From the Tension:                      Anxiety Relief:

3 drops Lavender                       3 drops Clary Sage                             3 drops Lavender  

2 drops Roman                           3 drops Lavender                                3 drop Geranium

              Chamomile                   1 drop Blue Tansey                              3 drops Pala Rosa

3 drops Ylang Ylang                   1 drop Petitgrain

Invigorating Blend:               Reset and Restore:                                 Happiness Blend:

4 drops Sweet Basil                   2 drops Cedarwood Atlas                 2 drops Bergamot

2 drops Lemon                           2 drops Orange                                 2 drops Lime

2 drops Siberian Fir                   1 drop Ylang Ylang                            2 drops Black Pepper

Enjoy the upcoming holiday season, practice gratitude for this year and I wish you many blessings in 2023.