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Why diffuse essential oils?
It’s one of the quickest & easiest ways to begin using the oils. It’s easy to do and everyone in the family can benefit from the wonderful aromas.
But there are a few more reasons and benefits of diffusing essential oils – let’s see what they are!
Why diffuse essential oils?
So what’s the big deal about diffusing essential oils? Well, there is actually a long list of benefits of diffusing essential oils.
Diffusing (specifically cold-air diffusing) can:
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Produce negative ions
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Increase amount of available oxygen
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Improve concentration & mental clarity
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Relieve headaches
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Eliminate airborne germs & bacteria
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Release natural ozone
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Relieve tension
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Stimulate neurotransmitters
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Alter molecules that create odors
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Improve hormonal balance
It’s also the most cost-effective way to use essential oils. Diffusing 3-4 drops of oil will benefit the whole family whereas topical application or ingestion only benefits one person.
One of the major benefits of diffusing essential oils is the connection from your nose to your brain (to put it very simply!).
When you inhale a fragrance, it triggers your olfactory bulb and transmits impulses to other parts of your brain.
Especially interesting is the effect on the limbic system, which affects heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress levels, and hormone balance.
So that simple diffuser and bottle of essential oil provide a whole host of benefits to your body.
I know, that’s a lot of science-ey jargon! Let’s just say that the scent of essential oils affects your body — directly through your nose!
Some oils can promote feelings of relaxation, confidence, motivation — the list goes on!
A few guidelines
While learning to diffuse essential oils is great, there are a few very simple guidelines to keep in mind.
Start Slowly
While some diffusers come with instructions to dilute as much as 12 drops of oil, that much is not necessary. The most I ever diffuse is about 8-10 drops. And, if you’re just starting, begin with 3-4 drops. Too much at once can cause headaches! More is not always better – especially in regards to essential oils.
Another tip: Diffuse for only 15-30 minutes at a time. It doesn’t need to run all day to receive the benefits of the oils.
Of course, if it’s cold and flu season, run it more often – to keep those germs out of your house!
Don’t Mix Blends
The second tip – don’t mix two pre-made essential oils blends. Reputable essential oil companies work hard to create effective blends — don’t mess that up by creating your own cocktails from multiple blends (it can alter the efficacy of the oils).
Stick to one blend at a time when diffusing. But you can add one or two other individual oils to the blend.
How do you know what to diffuse?
One of the questions often asked is – ‘what oils should I diffuse?’ – and the answer is easy! Whatever smells nice to you!
Check your reference guide (I really like the Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy) and make sure the oil is a-okay to diffuse (most of them are but you want to be sure!).
This is one of the reasons I love Rocky Mountain Oils — all their oils have markings on the labels letting you know exactly how to use them.
If you’re diffusing for a particular reason, check your reference guide for oils that help with that situation and diffuse those. If you don’t have a reference guide, choose 1-3 oils, open the caps and smell them. Let your nose and brain tell you what it wants.
Don’t have a diffuser. You can still diffuse!
Read more: How to Diffuse Essential Oils without a Diffuser
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How to Diffuse Essential Oils without a Diffuser
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