Aromatherapy is a form of holistic therapy that uses essential oils for the purpose of promoting physical and psychological well-being. These essential oils are volatile liquid plant materials which are obtained through the distillation of plant materials. Each essential oil contains the therapeutic compounds of the plant from which it came. Essential oils in Aromatherapy may also be used for antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal purposes. Aromatherapy oil diffusers are generally used to spread the oils that are used for these properties.
There are 3 main methods of aromatherapy oil diffusion: Direct inhalation, topical application and Aerial diffusion. Direct inhalation involves adding a few drops of essential oil to a cloth or a handkerchief and inhaling it directly. Topical application involves the direct application of the Aromatherapy essential oils. Aerial diffusion makes use of various methods of diffusion to allow the aromatherapy oils to permeate the room. This method is generally used for mild respiratory problems, psychological conditions and antiseptic purposes.
Aromatherapy oil diffusers are specifically meant for Aerial diffusion only. These diffusers should not be used for direct inhalation. There are various types of Aromatherapy oil diffusers and you can choose one according to your requirement.
- Lamp Rings are terra-cotta rings that sit directly onto a light bulb and the essential oil gets diffused with the heat from the light bulb. Although these rings are inexpensive, the extreme heat may destroy some of the constituents of the oils, reducing the oil’s therapeutic benefits.
- Candle diffusers are made out of ceramic or metal and use a tea light candle to gently heat the aromatherapy essential oil. These diffusers do not require electricity or batteries but since they require an open flame, they need to be kept in a secure area away from flammable items.
- Fan diffusers are a cool - diffusion method as they do not require heat to promote diffusion. They utilize a fan and replaceable absorbent pads to diffuse the essential oil. Unlike heat-based diffusers, fan diffusers do not destroy any of the essential oil constituents. However, these diffusers can be quite cumbersome and noisy.
In addition to these aromatherapy oil diffusers, you can also use a Clay Pot Diffuser, Electric Heat Diffuser or a Nebulizer.
Various essential oils are used to treat different health conditions, depending on the specific therapeutic properties of the essential oil. Jasmine essential oil can be used to treat exhaustion and depression while Cinnamon essential oil can be used to treat low blood pressure and stress. Lime essential oil can be used to treat asthma, acne and chilblains while Bergamot essential oil is very effective in treating anxiety and depres