Diffusers, Inhalers, and Pendants Oh My! The Many Ways to use Essential Oils Aromatically.
One of the easiest ways to enjoy essential oils is of course aromatically. They can support your immune system, open up your airways, improve your mood, promote sleep, improve focus, or help you feel energized. Whether you have a diffuser or not there are many ways to enjoy the aromatic benefits of essential oils.
Direct inhalation: One of the fastest and easiest ways to enjoy essential oils is by breathing them right from the bottle. You can open and bottle, cup your hands around it and breathe deeply. Need a pick me up try this with peppermint or rosemary. Or choose lavender to promote sleep or relaxation. You can also add a drop to the palm of your hands, rub them together, cup over your nose and inhale. Just be careful not to get in your eyes.
Inhaler: Inhalers are great for traveling, at work, or on the go. You can enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy without a diffuser and without getting oils on your hands. If you are in a public space it is a polite way to use oils. My husband didn't appreciate sitting next to someone on a plane who rubbed himself with a variety of immune oils. One of my favorite blends is an immune blend with 5 drops orange, 5 drops tea tree, and 5 drops eucalyptus dropped onto the cotton wick of the inhaler. You just pop the cotton into the plastic tube and seal it up and it's ready to use. You can make them to reduce stuffiness, promote sleep, or whatever health needs you may have.
Shower: Using essential oils in the shower is a great way to start your day. Simply drop oils on the shower floor or on a damp washcloth before you turn on the water. You'll turn your shower into an aromatic spa experience. A great decongesting blend is 2 drops cedarwood, 2 drops tea tree, and 2 drops lavender or try 3 drops orange, 1 drop tea tree, and 1 drop eucalyptus. Or try 2 drops lemongrass and 2 drops rosemary or whatever oils your enjoy or are suitable for your health needs.
Hot Water Vapors: This is a great method to use when you feel like you are coming down with a respiratory infection. You just add a drop of essential oils or blend to a bowl of hot water, place a towel over your head and the bowl, close your eyes and inhale. For a respiratory or immune blend, make a stock bottle with 10 drops Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus or radiata), 10 drops Siberian Fir (Abiessiberica), and 10 drops Tea Tree. Add one drop of the mixture to a bowl of steamy water, close your eyes, cover your head with a towel, and enjoy the soothing vapors. Be careful of hot steam it can burn and don't add more than a drop of two of oils -- this is potent!
Diffuser: Simply add 2-4 drops of your favorite oils or blends to a diffuser, plug in and enjoy. There are many different types, I like the ultrasonic diffusers. Today I have a blend of 3 drops orange, 1 drop tea tree, 1 drop eucalyptus, and 1 drop of cedarwood going. Sometimes I diffuse several citrus oils or use a respiratory blend with lavender at night in the bedroom to help with seasonal discomfort.
Fan, Vent, or humidifier: if you don't have a diffuser you can add drops of essential oil to a cotton ball or paper towel and place secured in from of a fan or vent. I put a cotton ball with immune strengthening oils on my son't air purifier at night. Or simply put the cotton ball near you pillow or out in a room the oils will still diffuse. You can also add oils to a humidifier. We have a whole house humidifier and I will add all sorts of oils from immune blends to lime and citrus oils or cedarwood depending on if I am trying to boost our immunity, sooth a cough, or just make the house smell great.
Aromatherapy pendant or bracelet: You can wear your essential oils. Just add oils to a pendant or bracelet and enjoy the scent throughout the day.
Wear as perfume: I have a few blends I love to wear as perfume. An uplifting citrus blend is one of my favorites as well as a blend with sandalwood, ylang-ylang and tangerine. I get the benefit of aromatherapy and since the scent is as appealing as many fragrances (vs using oregano or such) I feel I won't offend anyone by wearing it
Indirectly in the bathtub or during a massage: Adding essential oils to the bathtub is a great way to enjoy them both topically and aromatically. You can just add oils directly to the tub or make some bath salts. You can add to an oil or lotion and use during massage as well. Determine your intention for the oils (sooth sore muscles, relax, etc.) choose the oils and add a few drops. A 2% dilution would be 10-12 drops per ounce of oil or lotion.
As you can see even if you don't have a diffuser there are many ways to enjoy the benefits of essential oils aromatically. You can even use them in cleaning, air freshening, and laundry to enjoy their benefits aromatically as well. But we'll save essential oils and cleaning for another post.
