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Much of aromatherapy literature focuses on topical application of essential oils. If you own or are considering purchasing an essential oil diffuser, the oils you use for skin care may not be the ones that are best in a diffuser. For one thing, many of the oils that are wonderful for your skin are just too expensive to diffuse. There are several oils with healthful benefits that are inexpensive or moderately priced that can make a wide variety of useful blends. They also serve as a good foundation for a blend to which you can add a few drops of your more expensive oils.
Aromatherapy has many uses, but consider that diffusing oils will not help every condition. For example, a blend for sore muscles is best applied topically, while a blend for a cold would be best diffused. Since diffusing essential oils works through inhaling the vaporized essential oil molecules into your lungs as well as affecting your olfactory system, some of the best uses for essential oils in a diffuser include:
–Disinfection and/or scenting room air
–Respiratory conditions such as colds, flu, bronchitis, sinusitis, etc.
–Emotional concerns such as stress, anxiety, and depression
–To increase mental concentration or focus
–Immune system stimulation and general anti-viral and anti-bacterial actions
In light of this, the best essential oils to diffuse will coincide with these uses. The following seven oils are my top choices to stock your essential oil pantry for diffusion.
- Lavender: Lavender is the desert island oil. Its properties and uses are so varied that if you only picked one oil, lavender would give you the most benefit for your money. It is calming, can be used for headaches, as an immune system stimulant, for antisepsis, and insomnia. On this list, lavender blends well with bergamot, rosemary, tea tree and lemon.
- Lemon: Lemon is one of the best aerial disinfectants. It is also an immune system stimulant and makes a room smell fresh without becoming overscented. Lemon is also a mood booster, bringing a little sunshine into your day. On this list, lemon blends well with eucalyptus and lavender.
- Eucalyptus: For respiratory conditions, eucalyptus is an obvious choice. Inhaling eucalyptus helps with congestion and may help to break up mucus. Other uses include headache blends and insect repellant. On this list, eucalyptus blends well with lavender, peppermint, rosemary and lemon.
- Peppermint: Peppermint has many similar properties to eucalyptus and is also noted for being an anti-nauseant. Peppermint also has analgesic properties, making it useful for headaches. On this list peppermint blends well with rosemary, eucalyptus, lemon, tea tree and lavender.
- Tea Tree: Tea tree is an immune system stimulant and anti-microbial. It has a camphorous scent and its decongestant and expectorant properties make it helpful in easing respiratory diseases. On this list tea tree blends well with rosemary, eucalyptus, lemon, and lavender.
- Rosemary (Cineole CT): Rosemary has a fresh, herbal scent and has a history being used in fumigations against the plague. This can make it useful as part of an anti-microbial blend. It is also known for its ability to stimulate memory and concentration. On this list rosemary blends well with lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree and lemon. Rosemary Cineole CT is best for diffusers while Rosemary Verbenone CT is best for hair and skin.
- Bergamot: Bergamot has a floral, citrusy aroma. If you have ever had earl grey tea, you know the scent of bergamot. It is useful for stress, anxiety and tension—helping to balance and uplift. Its expectorant properties make it useful in blends for colds and its antiseptic properties may help to disinfect the air. Bergamot can also be sedative and therefore useful for insomnia. Bergamot is wonderful oil to have on hand in that it blends well with a variety of oils. On this list, bergamot blends well with lemon, lavender and rosemary.
As you can see, with just a handful of essential oils you can made a whole variety of blends for your diffuser that address a variety of conditions and uses. If you have a favorite oil or blend of oils to use in your diffuser, feel free to add it in the comments below.
