Are Aromatherapy Diffusers Safe?
“Are aromatherapy diffusers safe?” Due to the popularity of aromatherapy and all its purported uses, this singular question is one of the most asked of all time. The good news is, there’s nothing inherently dangerous about them or using them on the whole. Unfortunately, there isn’t a straightforward answer since there are many different styles and some of the safety concerns are wholly dependent on how you use your unit, what you put in it, and your unique physiology as well as anyone else who might be around it. Below, we’ll break down some of the most common issues people have and ways to safeguard yourself and the ones you care about.
1) Know your unit.
There are lots of different types of units. A few examples are highlighted below.
Reed Diffusers: The low-tech method is to use reed diffusers. Most people are familiar with them. A container is filled with essential oils and reeds are placed vertically in the mix, partially submerged. They naturally pull the oil up and scent the air. These can be one of the safer methods because there’s no heat or electricity involved. However, they also lack an “off switch,” which means exposure is continuous. Although that makes it a solid alternative to air freshener, those with aromatherapy experience know that continuous exposure to scents isn’t necessarily a good thing. It’s usually used in small doses—think minutes or hours—versus all day. Moreover, you wouldn’t want a scent like lavender going all day when you want to be awake, nor would you want something that can jolt you awake, like peppermint, going when you’re trying to sleep. The other catch here is that the reed options don’t always use real essential oils. They’re often simply scented products. Spoiler alert—vanilla is never a true essential oil. More on that in a moment. On a final note, everything is out in the open with a reed version, which makes it easier for children and pets to ingest.
Heat Diffusers: A few years ago, heat diffusers came into the mix. These usually use electricity or candles to warm the oil or a water and oil mixture and create steam. Less oil is used for these systems and the scent burst is shorter, so you don’t run into a lot of the same problems reed options have. However, you do have to be especially mindful with the candle variety for obvious reasons. Those with heaters can pose burn risks as well and, particularly when there’s no automatic off-switch, can potentially run dry and burn themselves out.
Ultrasonic Diffusers: The Zenbelle essential oil diffuser is ultrasonic. It comes with multiple time settings and an automatic shutoff for safety. Although they have similar reservoirs to the electric heat options, they don’t use heat to create a vapor or steam—they create waves which generates a cool mist instead, thus eliminating the most common concerns people have with the other varieties.
2) Know your essential oils.
Needless to say, one of the most important safety concerns is what you’re putting in the diffuser. You can minimize or eliminate risks by taking a few precautions.
Become familiar with how each oil works. Each essential oil is associated with different benefits. Learn what you can about the various essential oils before using them so you can be sure you’re getting the right ones for your needs and avoiding ones that could potentially cause issues for you.
Perform independent research. Don’t rely on a singular source of information. Vanilla “essential oil” is a prime example here. You will find companies that claim to be selling it, but the reality is that essential oils are always created from a distillation process—typically steam or cold pressing. On the other hand, a solvent is needed to get vanilla beans to produce the scent they’re known for. That’s not part of the process for extracting an essential oil. So, although you can get what’s known as an “absolute” from vanilla, it’s not an essential oil. It’s also incredibly expensive—expect to pay hundreds of dollars for a small bottle if you’re getting a pure variety. Most companies aren’t even selling you that. They’re selling artificial mixes that smell like vanilla or only have a small amount of absolute in a carrier oil. In this case, and many like it, a little bit of independent research would likely start setting off alarm bells before you make a purchase.
Avoid low-quality oils. This one is a bit tougher because aromatherapy oils aren’t really regulated. However, you can look for signals that a brand is authentic based on the information they share, such as whether they discuss their distillation process and what type of testing they use for quality assurance.
3) Know your body.
Even if you know what a specific oil is used for and potential contraindications, it’s still not a guarantee that your body will react to it in the same way most people will.
Be sure you don’t have any allergies or sensitivities to the oils you’re using. Remember, people react in different ways. Whereas some might develop a skin rash, others can get headaches and other symptoms. Pay attention to how you feel when you’re using your diffuser, especially when experimenting with new types.
Try the wrist test when it’s safe to do so. As a reminder, not all essential oils are safe to put on your skin, let alone when they’re in their purest form. With some, you can put a drop on your wrist to test for reactions before adding to your diffuser. With others, you may simply want to try a sniff test and see how you feel.
Talk to your doctor. Particularly if you have concerns like allergies, asthma, or are pregnant, it’s a good idea to talk with your doctor before using an aromatherapy diffuser. However, if you’re ever in doubt if something is right for you or safe, get a medical opinion from someone who knows your personal history and conditions.
4) Know who else might be exposed.
On a final note, all of the above concerns apply to anyone else who might be around the aromatherapy diffuser and it’s important to remember that not everyone will react the same way you do to the same oils. For example, children under two can sometimes become fussy when they’re around peppermint oil instead of relaxing. Pets can also sometimes have issues with specific oils. That in mind, consider who else might be around while you’re using the diffuser, make sure you’re using a safe scent and diffuser, and monitor for unusual responses.
Build Your Personalized Aromatherapy Set at Zenbelle
Aromatherapy diffusers are generally considered safe, but like anything, it’s wise to know what you’re getting into ahead of time and be familiar with what problems you might experience as well as what to look for. At Zenbelle, we sell 100% pure essential oils that are tested for quality as well as ultrasonic diffusers to provide you with greater peace of mind. Visit our online catalogue to see the full collection.
