What are the benefits of diffusing?
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- Cleanse the air
- Support the immune system
- Support the respiratory system for clear breathing
- Mood lifting = happy hearts
- Reduce stress or anxious feelings
- Increase focus (great for homework time!)
- Have a house that smells amazing without chemicals!
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What types of diffusers are there?
1. Heat:
These are not recommended as heat will damage the constituents of the oil. NOT recommended.
2. Personal (typically clay):
Essential oil is applied directly to a surface like clay, quickly absorbed and the scent is dispersed within a small distance. The smell is strong at first but fades. Great for personal mood support but not deep therapeutic use.
3. Evaporative – fan:
This type of diffuser uses a fan to push air through a pad that contains essential oils. The oil is not damaged. This is is an economical choice but because of the size of the molecules, therapeutic value is limited.
4. Ultrasonic:
This time of diffuser disperses essential oils in water. A small disc under the water vibrates rapidly, breaking down the oils into tiny microparticles which then travel out into the air as a mist. With this technology, you often “get what you pay for” so it’s best to buy a quality ultrasonic diffuser rather than cheap ones that break constantly. The better the quality, the better therapeutic result.
5. Nebulizer:
This type of diffuser diffuses oils, without water, as a fine mist. The nebulizer technology breaks down the particles in the essential oil so that they are easily absorbed deep into the body. Its recommended you run a nebulizer-style diffuser for only 15 mins per hour. Our preference is 5 minutes on, 20 minutes off.
All of these diffusers will spread your oils into the air to some degree. Several are capable of making an entire room smell wonderful. However when using a high-quality, therapeutic grade oil if you want to diffuse in a way that affects your body for healing you need to use a high-quality ultrasonic or nebulizer diffuser. These are the only types of diffusers doTERRA sells.
The smaller the particle the deeper into the body and lungs it will travel.
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- Particles between 5 and 20 microns will only reach the upper airway: nose, larynx, trachea.
- Between 2 and 5 microns will reach the lower airways.
- Particles between 1 and 3 microns will reach the alveolar region: (deep part of the lung)
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( EGAN’s Fundamentals of Respiratory Care– Seventh edition–copyright 1999 by Mosby, INC. Page 158 (Nasal Cavity) and pages 684-685 (Particle Size))
What diffusers does doTERRA offer?
The doTERRA Petal Diffuser
This Petal diffuser is a popular one, especially since it comes in one of our most popular starter kits (and my fave), the Healthy Essentials kit . The petal is a workhorse and puts out a lot of water and oils for its size. It’s newly updated with more muted tones. This is great to run overnight because on the 12-hour setting it will cycle on and off. This is beneficial vs diffusing continuously for that long, especially in a small, closed room.
The doTERRA Volo Diffuser
This diffuser comes in white/gray as well as black. Currently, this is my favorite to run in my kitchen which opens up to several other rooms. It has a large enough capacity to handle a large space and it looks modern and clean.
The doTERRA Brevi Diffuser
This diffuser is small but mighty! It comes with the least expensive starter kit option, the Family Essentials kit and is beautiful to have anywhere in your home. It does have a smaller capacity than some of the others so I like this for a bedroom, office or bathroom (guests love a bathroom that smells amazing without all the chemicals!)
The doTERRA LaLuz Diffuser
This is one of the new diffusers in doTERRA’s diffuser collection. Its clean, simple and modern and lights up as well.
The doTERRA Roam Diffuser
I love the Roam! This diffuser is extra special because it can run CORDLESS! You can take it right off the charging base and take it in anywhere with you. How cool is that?! It’s also made from recycled materials so its eco-friendly. Like all the other diffusers, you can use it with or without the light.
Can you just use a humidifier?
No. You do not want to ever add essential oils to a humidifier. Most humidifiers are not made from the type of plastic that is safe to use with oils. In that case, the oils can break down the plastic – and none of us what plastic particles dispersed out into the air! But doTERRA has you covered with the Dawn Humidifying diffuser which is a humidifier and diffuser in one! Made from oil-safe plastic, this has quickly become a crowd favorite, especially for the winter months and respiratory support.
Which diffuser is best?
Any of the diffusers from doTERRA are high-quality and effective. Choose the one that fits the space you want to use it in. What is most important is that you USE it every day!
Check out 10 of my favorite diffuser blends: Diffuser blends
I hope this information helps you to choose the best diffuser for you and get on your way to diffusing for better mental and physical health!
Alisha Chinai says
Hi, Thanks for this article it was very useful. How does one know which nebulizer is powerful enough to break down oils into Particles between 1 and 3 microns will reach the alveolar region: (deep part of the lung) ? Or is this assumption that all nebulizers function to this level? The prices vary so its unclear if the more pricier ones are more powerful or not.
Alisha
Healing in our Homes says
I cant say specifically, you’d have to check with the manufacturer. DoTERRA doesnt currently sell a waterless nebulizing diffuser which should give you the smallest particles. Maybe google and check with the manuf of the Aroma Ace diffuser
Sherrie T says
Do Terra used to sell a nebulizer diffuser. I want one but don’t know what would be the best. Any suggestions?
Healing in our Homes says
Those were Aroma Ace diffusers which I believe are still available online
Alisha says
One more question – since these nebulizers don’t use water, if one uses one oil in the nebulizer and then wants to change it out for another is that possible or does one have to use all the oil placed in the nebulizer first before switching to another or throw one out and replace with another? Thanks
Healing in our Homes says
I never did, I just switched the bottles. some come with extra “straws” that you can replace each time