How to Use Essential Oil Diffusers and Recipes

Diffusing is one of the best ways to enjoy the benefits of essential oils.

Oils in a diffuser can support your body, home and health without toxic chemicals. 

Why Diffuse

• Emotional support
• Immune support
• Respiratory support
• Sleep support
• Aromatherapy
• Ability to unwind and focus
• Freshen the air and neutralize odors 

I have several diffusers in my home as a part of my holistic lifestyle. One for each room.  

Putting oils in my diffuser is a part of my daily self-care routine. 

I even have a travel diffuser in my car to help support my body and ease tension as I drive. Aromatherapy with a travel diffuser can ease the stress of traveling on a plane or in a car on a long road trip with aromatherapy.

The Viya Car Diffuser is the perfect size for your camper, hotel, luggage or cupholder in your car. Plug it in with a USB and add a few drops of essential oil and water.

What are Essential Oil Diffusers?

God created plants. Essential oils are aromatic plant extracts – the living part of plants. They are distilled from fruit, trees, resin and herbs.

Diffusers help break essential oils into small particles that can disperse through the air and fill an entire space with powerful, breathable essential oil benefits.

Different Types of Diffusers

1. Ultrasonic

The most common type of diffuser is the electric ultrasonic. These types of diffusers use a small, high-speed vibrating metal plate that breaks up the essential oils into tiny droplets that mix with water and are then dispersed through the air as a vapor. 

• Aria™ Ultrasonic Diffuser

• Rainstone™ Diffuser

• Lantern Diffuser

• Desert Mist™ Diffuser

2. Electric Resin Burner

An electric resin burner diffuses resin, a sap-like substance produced by trees when it is heated in the burner. Resin looks like tiny rocks. 

After harvested resin can be chopped, powdered, made into incense or it can be steam distilled to extract essential oils.

Resin essential oils are Frankincense, Myrrh, Elemi, and Palo Santo.

My favorite Frankincense resin is harvested in Northern Africa. A free bag of resin comes with this resin burner.

One of my healthy habits is to diffuse Frankincense resin during prayer and studying the Bible.

3. Atomizing/Nebulizing Diffuser

Atomizing diffusers do not use water to disperse essential oils. Instead, the essential oil bottle is attached directly into the machine and high-speed air sucks the oil out through a tube. The atomizing technology transforms the essential oil into a vapor of millions of microparticles, dispersing them into the air and releasing the powerful plant constituents.

4. Non-Electric Diffuser

There are many ways to diffuse essential oils. 

• Hair – use your hair as a diffuser by adding a few drops of your favorite oil into your hand and rubbing on your hair. The aroma will be dispersed throughout the day
• Jewelry – add a few drops of oil to wood or clay beads on bracelets, rings, or necklaces
• Cotton balls or pads – put a few drops on a cotton ball or pad and put it in the bottom of garbage cans, baby diaper pails or smelly shoes

Diffuser for Kids

Snowy the Owl is a fun way to create a bedtime routine and support kid’s sleep, immune and respiratory systems and help them focus and concentrate on tasks. 

Get four benefits in one with this ultrasonic diffuser’s aroma diffuser, humidifier, night-light, and white-noise machine functions! 

Child-friendly and simple to use, Snowy features multiple diffusion modes, 10 LED light options, five white-noise sounds, exclusive Easy-Touch Talons™ touch-sensitive power and light operation, and over 100 cute removable stickers—including eyes, nail polish, snowflakes, and more—to customize Snowy and make aromatherapy fun! Snowy the Owl comes with two KidScents® essential oil blends—SleepyIze™ and KidPower™— and works through the night, diffusing essential oils for up to 10 hours.

Diffuser Safety

• Read labels – If there is something specific you need to know, it will be stated on the bottle. Before using a new oil, make sure to read the label for any specific warnings or recommendations
• Avoid certain areas – nose, inner ear, eyes, broken skin
• Check for sun sensitivity – some oils, especially citrus ones such as Tangerine, Lime and Grapefruit, can burn the skin when exposed to sun after application
• Dilute hot oils such as peppermint and cinnamon with a carrier oil (olive, coconut or almond oil)
• Watch Kid’s – Essential oils have many wonderful benefits for children, but because your little ones’ small bodies are still developing, it’s important to always supervise them with essential oils. Before applying any oil topically to a child’s delicate skin, always dilute it. Start by applying the diluted oil to the feet before trying it on other areas.

How to Clean an Essential Oil Diffuser

Cleaning your diffuser is important since oil residue can build up on the inside, affecting how well it works.

Cleaning tips ONLY for ultrasonic diffusers that use water, not for resin burners.

1. Turn off and unplug your diffuser

2. Fill the water reservoir halfway to the fill line with filtered water

3. Run the diffuser in a well-ventilated area for up to 5 minutes

4. Empty the diffuser

5. Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and clean the ultrasonic plate to remove any extra buildup

6. Rinse the reservoir with water; then wipe it clean and dry up excess water with a soft cloth

7. Add water and essential oils; then diffuse away

How to Diffuse Essential Oils

1. Add about a 1/2 cup of water to the diffuser
2. Ad 3 – 5 drops of essential oil (add more or less drops depending on your preference)
3. Plug in the electrical outlet
4. Turn the diffuser on
5. Enjoy aromatherapy

Diffuser Recipes

Sweet Sleep

3 drops Lavender

3 drops Cedarwood

Focus

3 drops Rosemary

3 drops Peppermint

Freshen the Air

3 drops Lemongrass

3 drops Grapefruit

2 drops Tea Tree

Calm Mood

3 – 5 drops Peace and Calming

Spa Blend

2 Cedarwood

1 Pine

1 Tea Tree

2 Lemon

My Favorite Essential Oils to Diffuse

• Lavender
• Peace and Calming
• Peppermint
• Thieves
• Cassia
• Northern Lights Black Spruce
• Rosemary
• Frankincense

Where You Buy Essential Oils Matter

Quality matters when buying essential oils. Not all essential oils are sourced and harvested ethically. Many contain toxic chemicals.

I used to buy my oils from the local health food store or on Amazon until I discovered not all oils are harvested ethically and contained toxic chemicals.

Now, I only buy my oils from Young Living. I get many of my oils for free by being on Loyalty Rewards.

Young Living offers the purest essential oils, essential oil blends, and oil-enhanced products. At Young Living, in-house and independent laboratory testing shows that Young Living essential oils meet high industry standards. Many health professionals choose them for promoting health and wellness.

Tips for Diffusing Daily

• Keep your favorite oils next to your diffuser
• Diffuse as a part of your morning and night routine
• Help others in the household learn how simple it is to diffuse
• Diffuse in your car, home, office and when traveling
• Replace toxic candles and plugins and diffuse to freshen the air
• Keep a list of your favorite diffuser blends on a family board or white board

Learn more wellness tips in my blog “Get Started With Essential Oil Bundles”