Technically, you don’t even need a diffuser to use oils for aromatherapy. If you’re inhaling the aroma of an essential oil to feel better, improve your mood, or just make your home smell nice, you’re doing aromatherapy!
You can find still equipment on most all-purpose online marketplaces. These can be pricey and cost at least $100. There are essential oil-making kits you can buy with every piece of equipment you’ll need to make a variety of essential oils.
It helps to roll the jar around in your hands once every 1-3 days while the oil heats up in the sunlight. This helps the herbs infuse into the rest of the oil. Store your jar in a cool, dark place when you’re not using it. These oils should be good for roughly 1 month before the ingredients start to go bad. [6] X Research source
If you still want to use a carrier oil for aromatherapy, you can! Sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, and fractionated coconut oil are all great options that won’t overwhelm the smell of the essential oil. [8] X Research source
There are waterless diffusers out there. If you have one of those, you don’t dilute the oil at all. [11] X Research source
Fractionated coconut oil is a bit more expensive than standard coconut oil.
Manufactured oils are almost always going to be safer than homemade oils as well, since it can be hard to know if you’ve produced a safe concentration. Avoid “fragrance oils. ” While they sound like they’d be great for aromatherapy, fragrance oils contain chemicals that may damage your diffuser. [15] X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source Certain essential oils cost more than others. For instance, 10 mL (0. 34 fl oz) of lavender might cost at least $16, while 10 mL (0. 34 fl oz) of orange essential oil might cost under $6. Other scents, like rose and chamomile, tend to be more expensive as well. [16] X Research source
You can always just open the bottle and inhale the oils directly if you’d like. [18] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source You can also leave the cotton ball in your general workspace. This way, you can still get a mild whiff of your favorite aromatherapy oils.
Always add the oil to the outside of the accessory so it doesn’t touch your skin directly. You can also use other diffusing accessories with essential oils, like necklaces and keychains. [21] X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source
This can be a great essential oil mixture for a diffuser in your bedroom. When you wake up each morning, you can enjoy a fresh boost of natural energy!
You can always experiment with your favorite floral oils and see what kinds of combinations you can come up with.
This creates a spicy, nostalgic scent that will get your home ready for the holidays.
This is a fun blend—since there are so many different oils at play, the fragrance tends to change if you let it diffuse for an hour or so.
Every week or so, flip the skewers or reeds upside down or replace them. This will keep one end from drying out entirely. If you don’t have a glass container that will work for this, grab a ceramic container. So long as it’s glazed inside (so that it doesn’t leak), it should be fine.
Lavender, tea tree, peppermint, and lemon oils are generally considered the most consistently helpful essential oils. [31] X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source Some oils, like chamomile and lavender, may even help you fall asleep faster. [32] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Ginger and spearmint have the potential to help settle an upset stomach. [33] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
In extremely rare cases, excessive use of aromatherapy can cause skin dermatitis, breathing issues, and even death. If you have any negative reaction whatsoever, stop using the oils and seek out emergency medical care if necessary. [35] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Children seem to respond negatively to essential oils more often than adults do, so be careful and turn that diffuser off if your child complains about the smell. Oregano, cinnamon bark, jasmine, lemongrass, ylang-ylang, chamomile, and bergamot oils seem to be uniquely irritating for some people. [37] X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source
The effects of topical essential oil treatments on children, women who are breastfeeding, pregnant women are not well understood. It’s best not to use essential oils as a topical treatment if you fall into one of these categories. [40] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
