Ultrasonic Diffuser: Why Use One?
Posted by HOME OF CHIJI
Using a diffuser for essential oil is a great way to experience all the benefits that aromatherapy has to offer. We think essential oils are a great way to expand your self care, and to create an overall atmosphere of good vibes in your space (and we all know that good vibes are a big thing here at Chiji!).
But, with so many different types out there, it can be hard to choose which diffuser is best for what you plan to use it for. We’d like to help by talking about one of the most popular, the ultrasonic diffuser, and why you should use one for your aromatherapy self care needs.
Let’s Start With The Benefits of Aromatherapy
If you don’t know about the many, proven benefits of aromatherapy, you probably haven’t yet considered how a diffuser (which is one of the best ways to get those benefits) can add to your life.
Aromatherapy is a simple idea with amazing potential.
The concept has been around for centuries, although understanding the science didn’t happen until much later. Essentially, what happens when we smell anything is that tiny scent molecules from whatever it is we’re smelling travel up our nose until they reach our olfactory nerve.
The olfactory nerve then translates that scent into a message it sends to the brain, which then decides what (if any) actions need to be taken. For instance, delicious food smells when we’re hungry often equal a growling stomach. Some scents, like the ones commonly used in aromatherapy, get passed on to the amygdala (or our brains emotional response and processing center).
Because the amygdala is just one part of the larger limbic system, other areas may also be triggered. That’s why people often say that aromatherapy can help them retain information easier, because the area of the brain responsible for memory, the hippocampus, is also part of the same system.
People claim a huge variety of benefits related to aromatherapy, from helping with sleep to soothing stress to helping them breathe easier when they have a cold. That’s part of why it continues to be so popular, even today.
What Is A Diffuser?
Diffusers are the overall term for the device that helps disperse essential oils throughout the air in your space. There are tons of different types of them, from the simple reed diffuser, to the most complex. They also tend to have a very wide price range for those exact reasons.
Many people like diffusers, not only for the way they increase the ambience of the home, but as effective aromatherapy tools.
How Does An Ultrasonic Diffuser Work
Ultrasonic diffusers work by using electricity to create ultrasonic vibrations, or sound waves that happen on a frequency too high for the human ear to pick up.
It does that by activating a tiny disc on the inside of the diffuser. Once the diffuser is powered on, the disc starts to vibrate and creates those ultrasonic vibrations. As the vibrations meet the water/essential oil mixture, it separates the water from the oil and breaks the oil up into teeny tiny microscopic particles. After just a few minutes, these particles turn into a vapor that is released by the diffuser into the air.
The technical term for this is the adiabatic process, but that’s not super important to remember. There won’t be a pop quiz.
Why Should I Use an Ultrasonic Diffuser?
Ultrasonic diffusers are often the favorite diffuser choice for people who love using essential oils. The reason they are so popular is that, unlike most of the other types of diffusers on the market, ultrasonic diffusers don’t require the use of heat.
But why is heat a bad thing?
Well, in addition to being potentially dangerous (especially in homes with small children), heat actually damages the quality of the essential oil you’ve chosen to use. This can be both physical and chemical, changing both the actual chemical composition of the essential oil and the aroma it puts out. That also means that people using essential oils for their healing properties may not be getting all (or any) of their benefits. This is commonly called “denaturing.”
How Do I Use an Ultrasonic Diffuser?
The great news is that ultrasonic diffusers are super simple to use, even if you’ve never used one before!
All you need to do is fill the tank with the recommended amount of water (this is different for every diffuser, so check the instructions) and add your essential oil or essential oil blend. The amount of essential oil you’ll need is related to how much water your diffuser uses, but a good rule of thumb is around three to five drops for every 100 milliliters of water. Most diffusers on the market will hold between 100 and 500 milliliters.
Then just turn it on and voila! You’ll get all the aromatherapy benefits without any of the unnecessary heat!
Ultrasonic diffusers can be used anywhere you need them, like in your bedroom or your home office. It’s best to put it in the very center of the room, if possible, and to keep it away from any heating or cooling elements. It’s also a good idea to turn fans off to allow the ultrasonic diffuser to do what it does best… fill the room with the power of essential oil!
Most aromatherapy experts recommend only having it turned on for 15 to 30 minutes at a time. Using it more frequently can cause headaches or desensitize you to the benefits of the essential oil you’re using.
Where Should I Start?
If it’s your first time looking into aromatherapy and diffusers, congrats for taking that step! We think you’ll find aromatherapy a super easy way to promote your health and wellness through self care.
To help, here are some of the most diffuser-friendly essential oils out there. They make for great beginner oils because they are easy to purchase and have multiple benefits that you can experience quickly.
Lavender
Lavender is probably the most well-known essential oil out there. The best part is, it really does live up to its hype.
While most people like lavender to help them feel calm and relaxed.
Lemon
Who doesn’t associate the fresh, bright smell of lemon with a freshly cleaned kitchen?
Lemon essential oil is a common ingredient in many home cleaning products, but it also works as a mood booster. Don’t confuse lemon essential oil with lemongrass essential oil, however. While both are beneficial, lemon is far easier to use for beginners.
Eucalyptus
One last essential oil we’d recommend for beginners is eucalyptus. Yes, the very same thing that koalas love to snack on! When used in a diffuser, eucalyptus is excellent at helping to soothe common discomforts associated with the nose and throat, and can help cool these airways to help you breathe easier, even just temporarily.
Other Aromatherapy Options
If you’re not quite ready to go out and buy an ultrasonic diffuser yet but you’re interested in trying out essential oils, never fear! There are other ways you can experience their benefits without having to make an investment you’re not ready for.
Essential oil-infused candles are a very common method of enjoying aromatherapy without needing to actually purchase essential oils or diffusers. Even better, candles typically have blends of several essential oils so you can enjoy the benefits of 3, 5, or even 6 aromas all at once in perfect harmony.
Essential oils, when combined with a carrier oil (coconut, olive, and jojoba oils are the most popular), can be added to the bath. You won’t need more than just a few drops to start to get the aromatherapy benefits, and the carrier oil can also help to moisturize and soften your skin. Stick with essential oils like lavender, rose, and chamomile for use in the bath, as some others have a tendency to cause skin irritation (specifically avoid the use of cinnamon, oregano, clove, and mints).
You can also apply essential oils (again, mixed with a carrier oil) to your “pulse points.” Yes, this is just what it sounds like… areas of your body where you can easily find your pulse. These include your wrists, the sides of your jaw (near your ears), your temples, and the sides of your neck. Not only can you smell the essential oils easier, your arteries will warm them up and some may even be absorbed directly into your bloodstream.
Some people also like to add essential oils directly to lotion that they either apply themselves or have someone else massage directly into their skin. We’re a big fan of this method as well, because we think massage is a great form of self care. This method is especially great for people looking to essential oils for help relieving aches and pains.
In Summary…
Ultrasonic diffusers are a great way to experience all of the benefits of aromatherapy without worrying about destroying the essential oils in the process. They’re a great way to change the entire vibe of the home, get rid of negative, build up energy, and practice good self care. And couldn’t we all use a few more good vibes these days?
Sources:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/aromatherapy-do-essential-oils-really-work
