Julie Steinkamp Why diffuse? What are the benefits of diffusing? There are so many reasons to own a diffuser, but to try to keep it simple, scent is powerful, as is aromatherapy! The olfactory bulb has direct connections with two parts of the brain! Not to mention the therapeutic benefits.
A couple things before we get started. I am not a doctor. I am just a Mama who loves finding natural options for her family. My education on oils is how our family has used these over the years and the benefits we have seen. You are the gatekeeper of your home and know your family so please keep that in mind while following us on this journey. Also, when speaking about essential oils, we use Young Living in our family and have for over six years. These are the oils that I have researched and feel comfortable with for our family. Not all oils are created equal.
A little back story before we dive in…
I have been diffusing my oils for almost a decade and the crazy changes I have noticed just for myself, not even getting into my family has been a game changer for me. Constant daily headaches used to be my “normal”, to the point where my Mom took me to get a MRI when I was younger, no one knew why I was having them… Nosebleeds constantly… no one knew why… INSANE sinus issues, again, no reason, just that it was normal for me. Then things moved on to hormone issues, infertility, harder seasonal issues, etc… these are NOT normal but they used to be mine. That was a decade ago. It has been crazy the healing that has taken place and I am FOREVER grateful!!!
Photo Credit: Life Steps App
Why what we use in our home matters…
What we use in our home matters, from household products, to cleaners, to health and beauty products, to the ways we make our homes smell good and all the in between.
All products are made up of ingredients and all ingredients react with our bodies in either a positive or negative way, therefore knowing what we are using is so important.
Diffusing is one of the simplest ways to make our home smell good while supporting the body. Using essential oils in this method alters the structure of the molecules that create odors, instead of just masking them. They also increase oxygen availability in the air. Certain essential oils like Eucalyptus Globules and Radiata, Grapefruit, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Frankincense, Tea Tree, Orange, Purification and Melrose are all great and effective options for eliminating and actually destroying airborne germs and bacteria.
You don’t need toxic sprays or wax warmers that contain harsh ingredients to make your home smell good. The cost is too great. Respiratory issues, nosebleeds, migraines, headaches, endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, family or kids, specifically who are constantly sick, etc… it’s just not worth it.
You can easily pop some citrus oils, spruce oils, vanilla, florals, purification, etc… whatever your preference of scent is in your diffuser and have an amazing smelling home with the benefits to go with it. Again, essential oils don’t simply cover up obnoxious odors the way room sprays or wax warmers do. They actually PURIFY your breathing air and clear out junk from your body at a cellular level instead of adding to your toxic burden. AND while you are diffusing you also get the aromatherapy and therapeutic effects of the oils to help calm or boost your mood which can help with occasional stress and anxiety because they cross the blood-brain barrier. IT’S SO COOL!!!
What are the benefits of diffusing?
Sleep Support
Do you or your kids or other family have a hard time winding down at the end of the day? Diffusing is just one way to support the body with sleep. Certain oils like Lavender, Valor, Frankincense, Orange are amazing for helping the body to wind down for sleep. Cedarwood is also one of my favorites as it helps the body to naturally produce melatonin for sleep support.
To Wake Up
There are certain oils like Lemon, Peppermint, Grapefruit, Eucalyptus that work with the body to help to wake up the brain, just like coffee can trigger your body to wake up and know it is morning, getting on an oil routine can do the same thing while supporting and oxygenating your cells too! The way the body reacts to certain smells really is amazing.
To Assist with Focus
Essential oils can help so much with focus, especially with kids. Creating and using a Focus Roller for them before school to have on hand or to have diffusing during homeschool can make a very big difference to your day. Even as an adult, I love using oils to help with focus when I have something I really need to knock out.
Emotional Support
Essential Oils also have an amazing chemistry to support our mood and emotions. Think of certain smells, they can take you back to Grandma’s kitchen or to your favorite vacation or memory. When anxiety kicks in or kids get worked up, adding Peace and Calming, Valor, Frankincense or Vetiver to a diffuser can help settle the emotions and re-center. Everyone needs emotional support at some point and diffusing oils are a very simple way to do that. And Endoflex, that oil is my BFF for emotional support!
Cleaning the Air
Like mentioned above, certain oils can help to neutralize odors in your home while making your home smell amazing.
Immune Support
This is probably my favorite way to benefit from diffusing. Just by throwing in your favorite smelling oils you can help to eliminate what could have been toxic ingredients that are in most sprays, candles, etc… BUT you can also intentionally support the immune system by diffusing certain oils like Thieves, Raven, Eucalyptus, Rosemary and so many others.
What other ways can diffusing essential oils benefit us? So glad you asked because they can do so much!
- Support to respiratory/lung function
- Reduces bacteria, mold, fungus, and unpleasant odors
- Energy support
- Helps with weight management
- Stimulates neurotransmitters
- Seasonal/Sinus support
- Stimulates secretion of endorphins
- Improves digestive function
- Improves hormonal balance
- Ear support
- Relieves tension and stress
- Relaxes the mind and body
- Relieves headaches
- Removes unpleasant odors and airborne pathogens
- Opens airways
These are just to name a few…
Here are some of the benefits of some of my favorite essential oils!
Lavender Essential Oil
Peppermint Essential Oil
How many drops of essential oils do you use in a diffuser?
Pure essential oils go far. There are a few things to take into consideration though, the size of the room, who you are diffusing for and what you are wanting to diffuse.
What is the size of the room?
If you are diffusing in a bedroom or a smaller room you may only need two to three drops. If you have more of an open floor plan or larger rooms, you may need five to six drops or multiple diffusers to get the smell you are looking for.
Who are you diffusing for?
If you are diffusing in smaller room, or for kids or around pets, you always want to start with less and you can always add more if you want a stronger smell. I will add more oils to my living room diffuser during the day than I do for my kids rooms at night because it is a smaller area.
What are you wanting to diffuse?
Everyone reacts differently to scents. For example, I don’t personally smell Lemon as strong as I do Frankincense, so I may use more drops of Lemon when I want a lemony scent. Then there are other oils like Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Cinnamon Bark that are a more potent smell that I can get by with using less of. Like I said, start small and then add as you decide what works for you. Everyone has different preferences.
You can also create your own blend, which may have you adding more drops than you would if you were just diffusing one oil and that’s ok. To get a certain scent it requires a specific number of drops of certain oils to get to that.
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Photo Credit: Life Steps App
What diffuser should I use?
There are so many diffusers available these days so how do you know which one to get. Taking looks out of the equation because everyone loves a cute diffuser, you want to look for a couple things.
You want a cold-air diffuser. They are designed to atomize a microfine mist of essential oils into the air where they can remain for several hours. You DON’T want anything that will heat your oils. If essential oils are heated it can decrease the therapeutic effects or even create toxic compounds.
You also want to make sure that the plastic that the diffuser is made with can withstand the potency of essential oils. Just like all oils are created differently, not all diffusers are made of the same quality. If you don’t have a diffuser with the correct grade plastic, the oils can deteriorate the diffuser which will cause it to break sooner and/or can strip toxins from the plastic and dispense them into the air and no one wants to breathe that in.
These are some of my favorite diffusers, The Desert Mist is one of the most popular ones. I have a few of them and Snowy the Owl is perfect for kids rooms! It is a diffuser, night light and sound machine in one! If you are just getting started with diffusing and essential oils, this kit is perfect for beginners.
Diffusing can be such a simple way to support the body and add an amazing smell to your daily routine! You just pick your oils, add them and water to your fill line in the diffuser and hit start. Seriously SO. SIMPLE. Even my kiddos can do it.
What is holding you up from making changes? Do you have questions?
These are the oils our family has used for years (and that we know are safe). I can’t stress enough the importance to know the essential oils you are using are pure or they can cause more harm than good.
If you have a favorite diffuser blend, I would love for you to leave it in the comments! If you would like to follow along with us for more day to day details, tips, tricks and hacks, join me over on Instagram @naturallychaoticlifestyle!
Wow, such great information! Thanks for sharing.