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Humidifier, Vaporizer or Diffuser. . .

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Humidifier, Vaporizer or Diffuser…What’s The Difference?

Ready to diffuse your essential oils but not sure where to start?  You’ve probably heard of humidifier and vaporizer, but the word diffuser may be new to you.  There is a difference between the three, so think about them as tools used for different conditions.  Here’s a simple explanation of the differences for your reference, and why you’ll want to make sure you always have a diffuser for essential oils.

The Basics

Humidifiers – vaporize water into the air. Increasing the amount of moisture in any one area.  The ultimate purpose of a humidifier:  To increase humidity by heating water and oils. Using oils with a humidifier can often “break apart” the full benefit you can receive from essential oils due to excess heat. Giving you less than a 100% effect.

Warning: Make sure your humidifier is actually made for the use of essential oils. Some EO’s can eat away at some plastics, and therefore ruin your machine. Be sure your machine is EO friendly.

 

Vaporizers – boil water, releasing moisture and steam into the air.  Any liquid including that of essential oils when added to them will change into a vapor or a gas and be released into the air as a steam. The ultimate purpose of a vaporizer: Is to increase moisture and is used for individual inhaling treatment purposes by heating water and oils. Warning: Make sure you are using a vaporizer that is actually made for the of use essential oils.  Some EO’s can eat away at some plastics, and therefore ruin your machine. Be sure your machine is EO friendly. If your vaporizer is not made for EO’s you can also lose the effectiveness of your oil.

 

Diffusers –  are made up of many forms, shapes & sizes and are used almost solely for the purpose of diffusing EO’s for all types of aromatherapy purposes. This includes, but are not limited to: electric diffusers, ceramic diffusers, lamp rings, etc. Most Electric EO diffusers Lotus Diffuserare designed to vaporize a micro fine mist, dispersing a cold air misting effect, scattering and spreading water molecules combined with EO’s. These very fine water droplets give the EO’s a ride in the air so to speak. Electric diffusers do not create heat to create “steam” to dispense oils. Ultimate Purpose of a Diffuser: Is to disperse essential oils into a large area to create a therapeutic effect on respiratory systems, and aromatic effect in any room.

 Why should I diffuse?

I suppose it was presumptuous to think you already know the why. Maybe you do, but if not, here’s the scoop.

Aromatherapy is the practice of using the natural oils extracted from flowers, bark, stems, leaves, roots or other parts of a plant to enhance psychological and physical well-being.The inhaled aroma from these “essential” oils is widely believed to stimulate brain function. Essential oils can also be absorbed through the skin, where they travel through the bloodstream and can promote whole-body healing. It is used for a variety of applications, including pain relief, mood enhancement and increased cognitive function. And now you know!

What should I diffuse?

I love to experiment and you should too! Here are some we’ve tried…

Diffuse
Here are some blends others have found helpful!

When Cassis or Cinnamon is diffused it can help with fevers, colds, flu, low vitality, chills and will support the digestive system.

Put a few drops of Eucalyptus in a diffuser to ease bronchitis, flu and hay fever.

Frankincense when diffused creates a YUMMY pleasant fragrance, yet at the same time may be beneficial with bronchitis, headaches and pneumonia.

If you’re plagued with headaches, mental exhaustion and depression, Grapefruit is a great pick-me-up.

Diffusing Lavender oil may support the body’s natural defense against airborne sensitivities to the skin and immune system.  It can create a very relaxing atmosphere.

Lemongrass oil diffused can be used for nervousness and as an insect repellant.  It is also great to revive the mind when feeling lethargic and to energize and relieve fatigue.

To promote sleep and feelings of peace, diffuse Marjoram. Can also prove to be beneficial when diffused for asthma, bronchitis, poor circulation, coughs, physical exhaustion, headaches, tension, insomnia, sinusitis, anxiety, nervous tension and stress.

Wild Orange when diffused can assist with colds, flu, nervous tension and relaxing for children at bedtime.

Diffuse Peppermint or Rosemary oil in the room while studying to improve concentration and accuracy.

If you want a calming and relaxing atmosphere, diffuse Ylang Ylang.

Diffuse Purify to clean the air and neutralize foul or stale odors.

To help stop nocturnal teeth grinding, diffuse Calming Blend while sleeping, also to calm overactive or hard-to-manage children.

And of course you can diffuse your favorite oil or blend of oils to enjoy a freshly scented room! Let me know if you have a favorite…

 

 

 

 

 

Be You, Bravely!

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Are you struggling to be YOU, bravely? You aren’t alone. Labels are pinned on us from birth. Think of your birth certificate; sex, ethnicity, blood type, weight, height, religious affiliation and name are just a start. As we grow and blossom society starts pinning more labels on us; personality, learning style, medical conditions, economic status and the list goes on. By the time you are tossed to the wolves of adulthood you are carrying a heavy load of labels. And all those pins have poked holes in your armor of self confidence. It is not easy to be you, bravely. But it is possible!

Focus on the Positive

Labels are part of our culture. We use them as a way of understanding the world and the people in it. There is no reason to live life feeling burdened by a label. Learning to release yourself from the negative connotation of a label is powerful. Find the positive side of a label. For instance, you may be considered to be overly emotional and the fact you are perceived this way could make you feel out of control. But notice, too, the gifts of being able to feel and express your emotions, even if the world doesn’t always encourage that. Now, you may begin to see yourself as brave and open hearted. See? Not so hard! If you shine a positive light on your labels you may see your true nature and find guidance.

Trust Your True SELF

To be you, bravely, you must listen to your soft spoken inner voice. Become aware of your true Self by tuning into your intuition. I can tell you it is magical! Once I befriended that quiet voice inside I was able to shake off the labels that didn’t suit my true self and experienced a paradigm shift in my life.

Bravely Feel

Do you give yourself permission to feel without judging the emotion? Sometimes we get tangled in our emotions. We label them ‘good’ or ‘bad’. But the reality is all our emotions are telling us useful information, and all our emotions are acceptable because they’re how we feel.

I found great release once I started visualizing myself riding the wave of emotion instead of trying to suppress or control. Amazing difference. I now glide through the moment instead of becoming tangled in the seaweed of self doubt and incrimination. You know what else happened? That once barely recognizable voice inside started to speak with clarity and volume!

Granted, it takes practice as this is uncharted territory for most of us and change, as a rule, makes us uncomfortable. We all flow toward familiarity and if what is familiar isn’t serving us then change is necessary and so is uncomfortableness. But think of it this way – a little uncomfortable now is worth the pay off in the end. Fabulous stuff, truly.

A Helping Hand

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Feeling thankful.

Autumn… falling leaves, bountiful harvests, a nip in the air, and a thankful heart. This is the time of year we see the world with softer eyes, clearly noticing those less fortunate than ourselves. As thanks for our own abundance, and persistently tugging at us like a toddler on his mother’s skirt, is our need to do something ‘good’ for someone or something. Do you volunteer? It is part of the human condition that we are drawn to helping one another. The Independent Sector reports, “according to the Corporation for National and Community Service, about 63.4 million Americans, or 26.3 percent of the adult population, gave 8.1 billion hours of volunteer service worth $173 billion in 2010.1 For the latest information, please see www.volunteeringinamerica.gov. “1

Wow! Imagine if the percentage was a mere 10 percent greater or included the youth of this country. That is incredible power from a renewable resource…with no negative effect to the environment!

The ROI (return on investment) from time volunteered is no longer an intangible. We not only reap the psychological or spiritual reward, but the physiological reward as well. For adults the Corporation of National and Community Service issued a report in May of 2007 that stated, “Volunteers have greater longevity, higher functional ability, lower rates of depression and less incidence of heart disease.” 2

Tweens (as my niece refers to herself!), or teens, are becoming a formidable volunteer force in this country due in part to the service-learning educational method. Studies show improved student performance in academic achievement, stronger social and personal skills, and civic involvement. One study followed students for 15 years following graduation from High School. Results showed that High School students involved in service-learning were, on average, civilly involved in their communities and voted more than students who did not participate in a service-learning program.

Great news for everyone! Not only does volunteering, or selfless service, improve your community, your world and your soul – but your mind, health and longevity as well! Wait…..did I say…selfless volunteerservice. Now that is an oxymoron for most teens and some adults, but herein lie the beauty of volunteerism. As the former First Lady, Barbara Bush so eloquently put it, “Giving frees us from the familiar territory of our own needs by opening our mind to the unexplained worlds occupied by the needs of others.” I concur! Now get out there and volunteer for your own well being as well as the well being of others.

How To Volunteer

Instead of only allowing the philanthropic urge speak to us during the holiday season, let’s make it a year round commitment. There are many deserving charities in each corner of the world. Finding one that fits us is easier than ever before. You can start with these:

VolunteerMatch.org boasts having the largest online network of non-profits. They have an easy to use search function to help prospective volunteers find the organizational fit. There are even virtual volunteering options available for those not able to get out and about, but have internet access.

A government resource for prospective volunteers is the Corporation for National and Community Service website. This is one stop shopping for groups such as; AmeriCorps, Senior Corps and the Learn and Serve programs.

There are tremendous websites dedicated to helping kids find a volunteer organization. Inspiring sites such as KidsHealth.org supported by the Nemours Foundation, speak to the teen, not at them, explaining the benefits of volunteering.

Non-profits have compelling resources at their disposal on sites like Civic Reflection that force an earnest look at civic life by utilizing Literature as its catalyst. If you belong to an organization this is definitely worth a peek!

Ready?… Set?… Make a difference!

Other articles to boost your feel good quotient:

Attitude of Gratitude

Honoring Intuition

1 http://new.independentsector.org/volunteer_time
 2 http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/newsroom/releases_detail.asp?tbl_pr_id=687