Essential Oils for Coughs: Effective Relief and Safe Usage

Essential Oils for Coughs: Effective Relief and Safe Usage

For hundreds of years, essential oils for cough relief have been used as a natural alternative to conventional medicine. These powerful plant extracts offer a variety of benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties and antimicrobial effects. These can help alleviate respiratory issues such as the common cold, bronchial asthma, sore throat, and chest infection. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore various essential oils known to treat coughs effectively and discuss their unique properties.

Furthermore, you’ll learn how to use these essential oils safely by understanding dilution guidelines and carrier oil options for topical applications or steam inhalation methods. We will also introduce additional beneficial herbs and oils that can aid in decongestion or provide soothing effects on congested airways.

As we delve deeper into specific essential oils like peppermint oil for asthma symptoms treatment or oregano oil for bacterial cough treatment, you’ll discover the science behind their effectiveness and ways to incorporate them into your wellness routine.

If you are pregnant, here is an article you can read about pregnancy fatigue. And if you are suffering from a cough, here are some home remedies for cough you can try.

Essential Oils for Cough Relief

For centuries, essential oils have been employed as a form of healing for numerous health issues, such as coughs. Eucalyptus oil has been found to be effective in loosening mucus and relieving congestion due to its natural anti-inflammatory properties. When inhaled through steam inhalation or diffusers, it can help soothe the throat and reduce inflammation.

Similarly, thyme oil has strong antibacterial effects against respiratory bacteria that may cause coughing fits.

Rosemary oil also contains potent antioxidants which can protect the body from cellular damage caused by free radicals in the lungs. It is used to relieve cough symptoms as it contains several active compounds with anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects which can help reduce chest tightness associated with persistent coughing spells.

Safety must be taken into account before utilizing essential oils for treating coughs or other respiratory issues. Essential oils should never be ingested without consulting a healthcare professional first; instead, they should be diluted according to guidelines given by an expert prior to topical application or steam inhalation methods such as diffusers or vaporizers.

Additionally, when applying topically on the skin it’s important to mix with carrier oils like jojoba oil or coconut oil to avoid any potential irritation.

By using Essential oils for cough relief offer a natural, safe and effective way to help reduce coughing symptoms. With the proper knowledge of how to use essential oils safely and effectively, you can now move on to exploring their various benefits in detail.

Safe Usage of Essential Oils

Before use, essential oils should be properly diluted to avoid skin irritation or other adverse reactions. Diluting essential oils helps ensure safety and prevents skin irritation or other adverse reactions. Generally, a 1:1 ratio of carrier oil to essential oil is recommended for topical applications, but the exact amount will depend on the individual’s sensitivity level.

Popular carrier oils include jojoba oil, coconut oil, almond oil and olive oil. When using steam inhalation methods with essential oils it is important to not exceed more than 5 drops per cup of boiling water as this can cause throat irritation or burning in sensitive individuals.

Using essential oils safely is paramount to their efficacy, and it’s important to be aware of dilution guidelines as well as suitable carrier oils for topical applications.

Additional Beneficial Herbs & Oils

Herbs and essential oils have been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments, including coughs. A few herbal and aromatic components, such as nutmeg, bergamot, geranium essence and cypress oil can be utilized to help in easing coughing.

Nutmeg is known for its decongestion properties which can help reduce congestion in the lungs and airways. Nutmeg’s anti-inflammatory effects may help reduce inflammation associated with respiratory infections or asthma attacks, thereby potentially alleviating congestion in the lungs and airways.

Bergamot essential oil is often used to soothe congested airways due to its antispasmodic properties which relaxes muscles in the chest wall allowing more efficient breathing during episodes of coughing.

The geranium extract is known for aiding persistent dry coughs due to its expectorant qualities which help loosen mucus from the lungs making it easier to expel when coughing.

Cypress essential oil possesses antibacterial properties that may be beneficial in combating respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia, providing relief from symptoms like persistent coughs due to infection.

Herbal and essential oils can be a great addition to your physical therapy treatment plan for treating persistent coughs, congestion, and other respiratory issues. Peppermint oil is especially beneficial due to its menthol content which helps reduce asthma symptoms; let’s explore how you can incorporate it into your treatment plan.

Peppermint Oil & Asthma Symptoms Treatment

Peppermint oil has traditionally been employed as a natural treatment for respiratory illnesses, including asthma. The active ingredient in peppermint oil is menthol, which helps to relax bronchial smooth muscles and increase ventilation. This makes it an ideal choice for treating the coughing associated with asthma symptoms.

When using peppermint oil for asthma relief, it’s important to understand how to incorporate it into your treatment plan safely and effectively. Menthol is available in a variety of over-the-counter remedies for treating cold and flu symptoms. However, it’s essential to follow the dosage instructions accurately as an excessive amount can cause additional irritation or even exacerbate your condition.

However, when using these products you should always follow dosage instructions carefully as too much menthol could cause further irritation or even make your condition worse.

Inhaling steam infused with peppermint essential oils is a great way to give your asthma symptoms some natural relief without the potential side effects of traditional medications like steroids or antibiotics. You can also drop a few drops of diluted peppermint oil onto a cloth and place it near your nose while taking deep breaths throughout the day – this will help open up congested airways quickly.

It has been revealed to be a successful means of managing asthma symptoms, its menthol content aiding in reducing swelling. However, it is essential to consult a healthcare provider before utilizing peppermint oil in your regimen.

Moving on from this, oregano oil is another beneficial remedy for treating bacterial coughs due to its carvacrol properties which have antibacterial effects.

Oregano Oil for Bacterial Cough Treatment

Oregano oil has been utilized to manage a range of illnesses, such as coughs and respiratory infections. The key compound in oregano oil is carvacrol, which is an antibacterial agent that can be used internally (for up to two weeks) to help fight off bacterial conditions leading to coughing and other respiratory issues.

Carvacrol’s antibacterial properties make it ideal for treating bacterial coughs. It has the ability to kill off harmful bacteria while also reducing inflammation and promoting healing. Moreover, carvacrol’s antifungal properties can help combat fungal infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia.

Furthermore, carvacrol’s antioxidant properties may even provide some protection against environmental pollutants that could worsen your condition.

Using Oregano oil can be a potent aid for bacterial coughs, but it should be handled with care and used only under the supervision of a medical expert. As such, precautions must be taken to ensure safety before use.

In conclusion, essential oils for cough relief can be a great way to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. Nevertheless, caution should be taken when selecting and utilizing essential oils, as not all are created equal. Consultation with healthcare professionals before using any type of natural remedy such as essential oil therapy will help ensure safety while also providing guidance on the best ways to use these products in order to maximize their benefits. With proper research and usage instructions, individuals may find that they can benefit from incorporating certain types of essential oils into their daily routine for symptom relief related to coughing or other respiratory issues.

Author Bio

Jamie Leema

Jamie Leema

Founder of The Babies HQ

I am a mother of 3 and have a passion in healthy living and sustainability. I am all about making conscious choices, staying healthy and adopting sustainable practices to reduce impact on our world. These information aren’t readily available so I started my blog with the view of sharing my research with more people. Check my blog out at The Babies HQ.

How Much Essential Oil Do You Put in a Diffuser?

How Much Essential Oil Do You Put in a Diffuser?

An oil diffuser is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to harness the many potential benefits of essential oils. It’s often safer and far less messy than applying it to the skin. Some people’s skin is irritated by this direct contact – and it allows you to fill an entire room with potentially healing aromas. But most diffusers come with extensive instructions about how to set them up and what batteries or power sources you should use to power them. What is often not so clear is the answer to this question: how much essential oil do you put in a diffuser?

How Much Essential Oil Do You Put in a Diffuser Anyway?

If you’re using a diffuser for the first time and are unsure of how much essential oil to add, keep in mind that the general rule is to add sparingly at first. More drops can be added gradually rather than all at once, which is easier than trying desperately to remove oil if you have added too much! Since these oils are frequently extremely concentrated, only a small amount can produce a noticeable amount of fragrance.

Essential oil bottleYou don’t want to use too much fragrance in a single area. If inhaled, any fragrant product, including essential oils, can irritate the respiratory system. Instead of a dousing of fragrance, you want to go for a faint hint. When it comes to making use of essential oils released into the air for aromatherapy purposes, moderation really is the key to success.

Typically, 3-5 drops of essential oil should be added to 100 cc of water. Naturally, the quantity you apply will depend on your preferences and the size of the room. Larger rooms will benefit from a little more oil.

Although diffusers exist in various sizes, these are usually measured in 100ml increments, making it reasonably simple to determine how many drops of essential oil to add. On average, 3-5 drops are needed for the smallest 100ml diffusers. While 15-20 drops are needed for the largest 500ml diffusers.

After using your diffuser several times and experimenting with various essential oil varieties, you will have a good understanding of how many drops are required to make your space smell precisely the way you want it to.

Tell Tale Signs You’ve Added Too Much Oil to Your Diffuser

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s possible that you’re using too much essential oil in your diffuser Essential oils may help relieve a headache

  • Sudden headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea

Unless you live alone, you should also remember to check to see how your experiments with essential oil diffusing are affecting others. And if your roommates include cats and/or dogs remember that their sense of smell is far better than yours – 1,000 to 10,000 times better in the case of dogs, only a little less for cats. So you may want to limit the use of the diffuser around them if it seems to bother them.

How Many Drops are in a 10ml Bottle of Essential Oil?

In a 10ml bottle of essential oil, there are 200 drops. This means that if you’re using a 100ml diffuser, you can get between 40 to 65 uses out of a 10ml bottle of oil.

How Many Drops of Essential Oil to Add to Lotions?Essential oil dropping from a bottle

Essential oils can be a wonderful complement to lotions without fragrance and can give your spa ritual a special, luxurious touch.

The recommended ratio for blending essential oils with lotion is 3 drops of oil to 10 ml of lotion, though this can be changed based on choice. When combining essential oils with carrier oils like grapeseed and jojoba for massage, this is an excellent ratio to work with as well.

Is an Essential Oils Diffuser Safe for Baby?

Is an Essential Oils Diffuser Safe for Baby?

We aim to ensure that the well-being of the youngest members of our family is taken care of as soon as they enter this world. A baby’s immune, respiratory, and central nervous systems require some time to fully develop, and even their sense of smell is different. They also absorb substances more readily through their skin. Here we will discuss are Essential Oils Diffuser Safe for Baby.

Generally speaking, a baby will be more fragile and sensitive the younger they are. How can you be sure you’re choosing the right essential oil for your family? There are so many conflicting views on whether or not essential oils are safe to use around babies and children. Is an essential oils diffuser safe for babies? That, and other issues about babies and essential oils are what we are going to take a closer look at here.

Essential Oils Diffuser Safe for Baby Basics

Essential Oils in an oil diffuserThe first thing you should know is that most experts agree that essential oils should not be used in any way around babies who are younger than 3-6 months old. You should discuss the issue with their doctor before doing so even after that.

In terms of the type of essential oils diffuser safe for babies older than that, an ultrasonic version – there are several different types of essential oil diffusers on the market – is preferred by most experts.

Even without the use of essential oils, an ultrasonic essential oil diffuser’s soft mist can improve the wellness of a room. Simply add water, turn it on, and inhale the comforting water vapor that is released into the air you and your household inhale. The fact that the oils are diluted makes them safer for developing respiratory systems, and you will only need to use three to five drops at most per session.  

As most parents use aromatherapy and essential oil diffusers to promote relaxation and better sleep in babies, the fact that ultrasonic oil diffusers are whisper-quiet is another plus!

The Type of Essential Oil Used Matters Too

Some essential oils are better for use around babies and children than others, and some, experts say, should be reserved for adult use only. This could mean that even if you have chosen a ‘baby friendly’ essential oils diffuser the oil you add to it could change that.

Essential oils produced from citrus or floral sources are typically thought to be more tolerant by developing or compromised respiratory or immune systems. When it comes to helping older babies this might include lavender, which has been used to promote sleep for centuries, chamomile, which is also considered very relaxing, or a slightly energizing scent like lemon, which may help improve the mood of a grumpy baby (and/or its grumpy parent!)

In terms of essential oils that should be reserved for adult use only these include all the following:

Essential OIls to use in an oil diffuserEucalyptus: This common essential oil, often used to relieve congestion in adults, has a potent effect and might be too much for growing, sensitive bodies. It contains a substance called 1,8 cineole, which in children under the age of 10 may make breathing difficult rather than improving it.

Wintergreen: Also known as birch oil, this oil contains methyl salicylate, which is only advised for adults with special therapeutic needs, in significant concentrations.

Peppermint: Another essential oil commonly used by adults to relieve cold and flu symptoms. Peppermint is highly mentholated and has a noticeable cooling effect that may not be as enjoyable for children as it is for adults.

Rosemary: Some research has suggested that rosemary might increase blood pressure in children, so it’s an essential oil best reserved for adult-only use.

Which of the Top Rated Essential Oil Diffusers Should You Buy?

Which of the Top Rated Essential Oil Diffusers Should You Buy?

The advantages of using essential oils can be utilized quickly, easily, and without too much mess if you make use of an essential oil diffuser to deliver them into the air in your home, or office. An essential oil diffuser is also considered by many experts to be the only way that essential oils can be safely used around kids and pets, who are usually far more sensitive to them than adults. But which of the many ‘top rated essential oil diffusers’ – a term you’ll see used a LOT when shopping for one – is really the best choice?

Before dialing down into specific products, of which there are quite literally hundreds to choose from – it’s best to determine just which of the most common general types of essential oil diffuser is best suited to your needs: evaporative, heat, ultrasonic or nebulizing?

To help you make the best decision for you when shopping for those ‘top-rated essential oil diffusers’ here we are going to take a closer look at the differences between these diffuser types, including the pros and cons of each.

Top Rated Essential Oil Diffusers

What is a Nebulizing Essential Oil Diffuser?

A nebulizing diffuser uses a high-velocity, pressured air stream and jet nozzle to break down the essential oil into minute particles. A light mist of oil is released from the diffuser and enters the atmosphere. The nebulizing diffuser produces a fine mist that diffuses the complete oil at once rather than in stages, without changing its chemical makeup or fragrance.

On the pro side this means that you will be using your chosen oil at its ‘full strength’ and you won’t need to worry about dilution ratios or other calculations. This however can produce a mist that is too potent for sensitive noses – including those of pets and kids – and it will mean you will use a lot more oil than other essential oil diffusers do.

What is an Evaporative Essential Oil Diffuser?

Essential Oils in a white glass oil diffuserAir movement is used in evaporative dispersion to disperse the aroma of the essential oils throughout the space. A tissue or a pad with essential oils placed on it serves as a filter through which air is forced by a fan. The oil evaporates thanks to the flowing air, and the oil-laden air is then blown throughout the room.

You will receive the oil in segments while using an evaporative essential oil diffuser; the lighter essential oil components will evaporate first, followed by the heavier components.

This does often lead to a quieter aromatherapy session – some top-rate essential oil diffusers are quite loud – which might be ideal for an office when you don’t want to disturb the other people working around you. On the downside, due to the fact that not all of the parts of the complete oil are dispersed at once, it might not be as effective as other methods.

What is Heat Essential Oil Diffuser?

Heat diffusers, as the name implies, use heated components to aid in the essential oil’s slow evaporation into the air. The best heat diffusers will utilize a very low heat to prevent significantly altering the chemical components of the oils being diffused, unlike some heat diffusers that use extremely high heat to achieve a stronger aroma.

This means that it will do its work silently, but a heat essential oil diffuser may not deliver a powerful enough scent to meet your personal preferences.

What is an Ultrasonic Essential Oil Diffuser?

This increasingly common diffuser type utilizes water and electronic frequencies to combine essential oils and water to produce a fine mist. A tiny disk submerged beneath the water’s surface generates ultrasonic vibrations that force the essential oil to dissolve into minute microparticles.

Essential Oils in a black oil diffuser in a homeOnly a minimal amount of essential oil is used in ultrasonic versions, and no heat is utilized to create the mist in an ultrasonic essential oil diffuser. If you live in a dry climate, this approach also doubles as a humidifier, which is beneficial. Ultrasonic diffusers produce little to no noise, which makes them ideal for usage at night. They are also the only type of essential oil diffuser that many experts consider safe for use around toddlers and pets.

They do have their potential downsides though. The essential oil makes up a very minor portion of the mist, and it is dispersed by the ambient air current in the space. You might not want to use your diffuser to add extra water to the air if you already reside in a more humid area, or at the height of hot, sticky summer either!

The aromas of essential oils have a great deal of potential to positively affect your mood and general well-being, regardless of the essential oil diffuser you select. In the end, you can use any of these diffusing techniques to benefit from aromatherapy in your home and office. It will simply depend on which method, based on the information we’ve shared here on the top-rated Essential Oil Diffusers and your personal preferences, works best for you. 

Best Essential Oil Diffuser for Large Space

Best Essential Oil Diffuser for Large Space

Diffusing essential oils around your office, bedroom, or even car is a fantastic idea. In this article we will discuss the Best Essential Oil Diffuser for Large Spaces in your home or office.

So, what should you do if you want to distribute the beneficial aromas of essential oils across a wide space, such as a living room or an office? Some folks have problems getting complete coverage with their current essential oil diffuser to all areas of a large open floor plan at home or at work.

We’ll explore how to get the most out of your essential oil diffuser and enjoy the advantages of diffusing regardless of the size of the room you’re in, as well as the best essential oil diffuser for large space areas.

bamboo-and-glass-Essential-oils-air-diffuserDispelling a Myth about Essential Oil Diffusers

One of the most popular misconceptions regarding essential oil diffusers is that a diffuser with a bigger capacity will cover a larger area.

The quantity of space a diffuser’s mist can cover has very little to do with its capacity. When determining how long the diffuser can run, the capacity is more significant. However, the strength and general quality of the essential oil diffuser determine the coverage area to a large extent.

Perhaps the misperception stems from the fact that higher capacity essential oil diffusers often produce a heavier mist. Actually the point is that capacity has little to do with how much area a certain essential oil diffuser can cover.

Making Use of Multiple Diffusers in Large Spaces

If you’re aiming to cover an area of 800 to 1,000 square feet, buying and making use of two diffusers is your best bet. Despite what some firms claim, there isn’t an essential oil diffuser that can cover that much ground on its own.

It’s better to use two of the same oil diffusers for consistency. This ensures you’ll have the same strength, capacity, and appearance for both.

They should not be placed in corners or against walls, since the center of the room will not be covered. Instead, set each one approximately a third of the way into the room, if feasible in the middle. You’ll receive the most coverage from both units this way, without creating cloying pockets of scent in odd parts of the room.

Try Increasing the Amount of Essential Oil Diffused

While everyone has their own preferences, most oil diffusers function best with 3-6 drops of your chosen essential oil or oil blend per 100 ML of water. More oil means a more potent scent and hence increased coverage when diffusing in a big area. But don’t go crazy—if you generally use 3 drops per 100 ML, try increasing it to 5 or 6 and evaluate how it works in the furthest corners of the room.

You can play with the amount of oil you use (as long as you don’t go overboard). Because all essential oils are slightly different, some trial and error may be required until you find the ideal amount for your essential oil diffuser.

One word of caution here, however, for pet parents. You do need to be very careful when diffusing essential oils around them, as we’ve explained here and here, and increasing the volume of oil in the air in this way may not be safe for them.

Use Higher Quality Essential Oils

Remember that the quality of the essential oil you choose can make a big difference in how much pleasure you have diffusing, whether you’re diffusing in a big room or a small one.

Higher-quality oils are more potent, so you’ll get a lot more bang for your buck even if they cost a little more than “budget” oils. It could be because of the oil you’re using that you’re having problems achieving coverage up to the maximum area of your diffuser.

Best Essential Oil Diffuser For Large Space

There are a lot of essential oil diffusers out there for you to choose from, so many in fact that it can be hard to make a choice! To help you find the best essential oil diffuser for large spaces in your home or office, here’s a look at some of our favorites:

Volo Marble DiffuserdoTERRA Volo Ultrasonic Diffuser

Not only is this a very efficient essential oil diffuser, but it is also a very attractive one. Capable of running for up to 14 hours on a low setting, the doTERRA Volo Ultrasonic Diffuser is programmable and easily adjustable. Meaning that if you wanted to be greeted by the calming scent of lavender as you come home from work, but don’t want to scent an empty home, that’s easy to achieve.

As it’s available in either a marble or onyx look finish adding a couple of these diffusers to a large space will not only scent it efficiently but will enhance your home decor scheme as well.

Young Living Rainstone DiffuserRainstone Diffuser Young Living

We love the elegant look of this sleek, classic diffuser, but that’s not all it has to offer. Not only is a great choice for large space essential oil diffusing, it also offers soothing lights and sounds that add to the diffusing experience. Just one of these handcrafted units would provide great coverage for a large bedroom. Two could help cover a whole office floor and provide all the benefits of aromatherapy and sound therapy to all your staff!

Minddiva Aromatherapy DiffuserAromatherapy Diffuser - Professional Grade Diffusers for Essential Oils, Nebulizing Technology, Full Spectrum Oil Adaptability, No Water, No Heat, Super Quiet, Portable, Battery Power

This small but powerful essential oil diffuser is a nebulizing diffuser that does not use heat or water. This is so essential oils retain more of their natural properties, resulting in faster and more effective coverage of even large spaces without the need to add more oil. Its ultra-sleek and modern-looking design will compliment almost any home decor scheme, and it can cover up to 700 square feet of space, making it ideal for open concept houses or lofts.

 

CkeyiN Essential Oil Diffuser, 550ml Bluetooth Speaker Aroma Diffuser for Home, Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier with Music Player Function, Waterless Auto-Off and Remote Control, Timer and Lights

CkeyiN Essential Oil Diffuser

This ultrasonic oil diffuser and humidifier combo takes care of everything. It also serves as a speaker (it’s Bluetooth-enabled) and a night light in addition to disseminating your favorite scents (it lights up in seven different colors).

The diffuser has two mist settings, a timer and will automatically shut off when the tank is empty, and it has a 550-milliliter capacity which will offer great large space coverage. The diffuser is very simple to operate with the provided remote, which is another big plus!

What Essential Oils are Safe to Diffuse Around Dogs?

What Essential Oils are Safe to Diffuse Around Dogs?

Essential oils can be very beneficial to humans, and offer all kinds of mental and physical benefits. But they are not always safe for dogs. In fact, some kind be downright dangerous. If you are a fan of essential oils for your own use, you may be wondering what essential oils are safe to diffuse around dogs. Are there any at all? And if so, would they offer them similar benefits to the ones they provide you with?

These, and are other related to canines essential oil issues, are what we are going to take a closer look at here.

What Essential Oils are Safe to Diffuse Around Dogs?How Essential Oils Affect Your Dogs (and Cats)

It’s crucial to understand the basics of how essential oils function in order to keep your pet safe. Essential oils are fragrant fatty compounds derived from a variety of plants. These chemicals are distilled into a variety of concentrations. Ranging from 100 percent pure essential oil to 1-20 percent concentrations. They are then mixed with a non-aromatic carrier oil. The more concentrated the oil is, the riskier it is for pets.

Essential oils are lipophilic. Meaning they are easily absorbed by the skin or mucous membranes (such as the lining of the mouth and nose). Which transfer the oils into the bloodstream, where the liver metabolizes and eliminates the majority of them.

Essential oils can also be inhaled as fragrances. Heading down the nose to the olfactory nerves and then to the amygdala, where they elicit a response in the brain’s emotional center. Lavender, for example, has a calming effect, but peppermint has an energizing and energizing effect. Essential oils are used by many people for a variety of health reasons. Including regulating sleep, reducing anxiety, and relieving muscle aches and runny nose. Certain essential oils, in addition to providing aromatherapy, may also work as insect insect repellent, keeping mosquitoes and other bugs at bay.

How Essential Oils are used in the home

Pure essential oils are used in these products: room sprays, perfumes, bath and personal products. Household cleaning products candles, and liquid potpourri. As well as in passive and active diffusers.

Reed diffusers, warmers, and plug-ins are examples of passive diffusers. They all release essential oil aromas into a room, which can cause respiratory discomfort in dogs and cats. Nebulizers and ultrasonic diffusers, emit not just a perfume but also microdroplets of oil that settle on adjacent objects. In addition to causing respiratory irritation, utilizing active diffusers exposes your pet to a greater risk of ingesting the oil on their fur while washing.

Dog Safe Essential Oils Explained

While the majority of essential oils should be avoided by pet parents, a handful are safe for pets when used properly. Lavender, for example, is probably the best essential oil for both cats and dogs when used moderately and in the correct proportion.

When using an oil, it must be diluted and applied correctly. Essential oils’ toxicity is dose-dependent, so the more concentrated the substance is, the more hazardous it might be.

Check with your Veterinarian

Your veterinarian can help you determine the proper dilution and dosage for individual oils, as well as which cat or dog carrier oils to use (such as coconut oil or grapeseed oil). Most pet-friendly oils require at least 1 drop of essential oil to 50 drops of pure carrier oil for adequate dilution.

Keep in mind that even the safest essential oils can irritate the airways if inhaled. Before using an essential oil product advertised for pets – such as shampoo, mists, or relaxing treats – it’s always a good idea to contact your veterinarian about its safety.

Additionally, just because an oil is safe for dogs does not guarantee it will benefit their health. Citrus oils (such as citronella and lemon oils) can theoretically help lessen the severity of flea and tick infestations. As well as the prevalence of mosquitos, when applied to repel pests. However, no scientific studies have shown that these essential oils are completely efficient at preventing disease-carrying external parasites or mosquito bites. As a result, essential oils should never be used instead of veterinary-approved, year-round flea, tick, and heartworm treatment.

What Essential Oils are Safe to Diffuse Around petsEssential Oils That are Safe to Diffuse Around Dogs

  • Cedarwood oil has anti-insect properties. It also has a woody scent that can be very relaxing when diffused into a ‘busy’ room like the living room where you would prefer your pup stay calm.
  • Chamomile oil also has a calming effect and helps to relax the digestive tract. Some pet parents feel it helps their picky eating pups enjoy their food more.
  • Citrus oils (such as lemon and orange oil) are insect repellents and deodorizers.
  • Eucalyptus essential oil
  • Fennelessential oil
  • Frankincense oil is being studied as a treatment for bladder cancer in both humans and dogs.
  • Helichrysum oil is a member of the sunflower family that may help with bleeding problems.
    Lavender essential oil has a relaxing effect. These days you can find lots of lavender based canine appeasing pheromone products. Products such as collars, sprays, and diffusers, that may also be of interest to dog parents in addition to standard essential oil diffusion.
  • Lemongrass essential oil
  • Mint oils (peppermint and spearmint) can aid with GI distress.
  • Rose essential oil

Cats and Dogs and Essential Oil diffuser useEssential Oils that are Harmful to Dogs

The following list is by no means complete, but it does include some of the most toxic essential oils. If in doubt, visit your veterinarian or look up dangerous and non-toxic plants on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) website.

  • Cassia essential oil
  • Oils with a tangy smell (such as cinnamon, clove, and oregano): Although cinnamon oil is used in some over-the-counter “natural” flea and tick spot-on treatments and collars because of its purported pest repellent abilities. It is poisonous to dogs and cats and does not provide complete protection against external parasites.
  • Pennyroyal essential oil
  • Pine essential oils
  • Sweet birch essential oil
  • Melaleuca oil (also known as tea tree oil): The majority of essential oil toxicity cases in dogs and cats are caused by tea tree oil. Tea tree oil has antibacterial effects, however it should never be administered to or applied to a dog or cat’s skin or fur. Tea tree oil, even when diluted, can be extremely harmful to a dog or cat if consumed or administered topically.
  • Thyme essential oil
  • Wintergreen essential oil
What are Essential Oil Diffusers?

What are Essential Oil Diffusers?

You may have heard a lot about essential oils, diffusers, and nebulizers recently. Perhaps a coworker or family member gushing about their “brand new essential oil diffuser” or something similar. However, you might be wondering what are essential oil diffusers? It is actually quite straightforward.

Essential Oil Diffuser Basics

A diffuser, in the broadest meaning, is a device that disperses something over a large area. A diffuser for essential oils, takes the pleasant-smelling, therapeutic essential oils and disperses (diffuses) them throughout your home or office.

An oil diffuser can be broadly defined as anything that emits essential oils. There are several types of essential oil diffusers available today. And if you are thinking about purchasing one, there are a few things you should know about each type before making a final choice.

What are Essential Oil Diffusers for

Essential oil aroma diffuser humidifier diffusing water articles in the air.

The History of Diffusing Essential Oils

Essential oils have been used for purification, mental therapy, and spiritual wellness for thousands of years. They were utilized by most of the ancient civilizations, including the Egyptians, Romans, Greeks and Chinese. Scented oils were widely used in cosmetics and fragrances, as well as in medicine and even to improve the taste and shelf life of foods and wines.

As early as the first century, Greek physician and botanist Dioscorides wrote about oils and their medicinal abilities! Essential oils have a wide range of uses, many of their advantages (including their pleasant aroma) can be obtained just by inhaling them. But the essential oil must first be distributed into the air by an oil diffuser before it can be inhaled.

Oil Diffusion in Ancient Times

Only primitive means of oil dispersal were available in ancient times. Diffusion through evaporation was the simplest approach. Oils could be absorbed into cloth, wood, clay, or even hair and allowed to slowly dissipate their aroma into a tiny space. This approach is convenient because it can be done anywhere. However, the perfume does not spread much or emit much odor.

Diffusion, which uses heat to distribute the perfume, is another option. Lighting an unscented candle for several minutes to allow some of the wax to melt is a simple example of this that can be done at home

Before the candle cools, blow it out and mix some essential oil into the melting wax. Then relight the candle and breathe in the fresh scent. While the simplicity of this strategy is a big plus, it also has a lot of drawbacks. Of course, candles must be handled with caution, but essential oils are very combustible and pose an additional threat to heat diffusion.

Another option available in ancient times was steam diffusion. In a room, scented oils were put next to a kettle of boiling water. The oils were heated by the boiling water, which causes them to disperse quickly throughout the room through evaporation. This approach works rapidly, but it necessitates ongoing maintenance to replace evaporated water and oils.

Commercial essential oil diffusers solve many of these problems and make reaping the benefits of essential oils much easier. There are several types of oil diffusers available today.

Each of which uses one of four diffusion methods: Nebulization, Ultrasonic or humidification, Evaporation, or Heat.

What are Essential Oil Diffusers used for

Aromatic oil diffuser lamp on the table on a blurred background with a beautiful spring bouquet of tulips and burning candles .

Nebulizing Essential Oil Diffusers

A steady air supply is used by nebulizing diffusers. A tiny tube carrying essential oils is blown with a jet of air. This air stream generates a vacuum, pulling the oils out of the tube and spraying them in a thin mist into the air.

This method of diffusion disperses the oil in the form of tiny droplets into the air without diluting or otherwise modifying it. As a result, nebulizing is frequently regarded as the most effective method of oil diffusion. Nebulizing oil diffusers are so powerful at dispersing essential oils throughout a space. Most come with air flow controls and timers that allow the distribution to be controlled throughout the day. On the downside, this technique can generate some noise, which some people do not like.

Ultrasonic Essential Oil Diffusers

Ultrasonic diffusers work on a completely different principle, although they nevertheless produce a mist or humidification of the essential oils.

A tiny disk vibrates rapidly in water that has been infused with essential oils in an ultrasonic diffuser. The oil and water are broken up into tiny molecules, which spread into the air as a result of the vibration.

While converting a liquid into a vapor normally necessitates the use of heat, this approach achieves the same result without the use of heat. This sort of diffuser is perfect for individuals who simply require a small amount of oil to be diffused throughout a space. The oil is first diluted with water and then depends exclusively on the room’s natural air currents to disseminate. The soothing sound of trickling water produced by these diffusers may make it a tempting option for some.

Evaporative Essential Oil Diffusers

Evaporative diffusers are a more sophisticated version of the most basic essential oil diffusion technology. Oils that have been dripped onto a filter or other surface are blown on with a tiny fan.

The fan’s blowing air causes the oils to evaporate more quickly than they would otherwise, dispersing the aroma throughout the space. One important disadvantage of this strategy is that the lighter sections of the oil evaporate and disperse more quickly than the heavier portions. This results in an imbalanced delivery, with the lighter components released first and the heavier components released later. The medicinal characteristics of the oils may be harmed as a result of fractionation. The fan does not rely only on the room’s currents, it enables for a fast diffusion of the aroma across the space.

Lively living, What are Essential Oil DiffusersHeat Essential Oil Diffusers

Heat diffusers are similar to evaporative diffusers in that they use heat to disperse the oils into the air instead of air.

But Heat diffusers have the same limitations as evaporative diffusers. Namely the potential for oil fractionation, but they work completely silently, making them a popular diffuser choice. The best heat diffusers employ extremely low temperatures to allow oils to slowly evaporate without changing their properties.

Although simple forms of heat diffusion, such as candle diffusion, are still used today. There are numerous innovative applications, such as lamp ring diffusers that are placed directly on a lamp’s bulb and diffuse the particles utilizing the bulb’s excess heat.