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Why Diffusing Essential Oils is Better Than Burning Them

November 11, 2015

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If, like me, you’ve been using essential oils for decades, you’ve probably owned an essential oil burner of some kind at some point.  I certainly did, as far back as the late eighties and early nineties. I placed a tiny tea light candle in a little ceramic burner (which cost me next to nothing, as I remember), put a few drops of oil on the plate and burned away. I don’t any more. Today my home is full of the aroma of wonderful essential oils without the smoke. I use an essential oil diffuser, and I strongly recommend you do too. Here’s why.

Why Diffusing Essential Oils is Better Than Burning Them

Burning is not great for your oils

Even though people have been using this method for eons, if not done properly it’s actually potentially damaging to your oils. Heat can literally burn the oils, especially if you use a candle that’s a little too big for your burner. This will also cause the oils to ‘burn off’ too quickly, wasting some of the beneficial aromas. 

It’s can be dangerous

Essential oils in burners can, occasionally, catch fire. This risk is exacerbated by incorrect burning (such as the ‘big candle, small burner’ problem described above). Plus candles in general can be dangerous, depending on your home and who’s in it. I scoffed at people who worried about candles as fire hazards before I had small, curious children and a big waggy–tailed dog. Now, I totally get it

It’s not efficient

According to Dr David Stewart, author of The Chemistry of Essential Oils Made Simple: God’s Love Manifest in Molecules, (don’t be put off by the title, it’s an interesting explanation of how and why essential oils work) burning actually affects the way the oils break down. The heat causes the most volatile compounds in the oil to be dispersed first. Then the heavier molecules are activated. That means the natural balance of your oils is being disturbed.

It’s not environmentally friendly

If I were burning any candles in my home now, I would stick to all-natural soy candles. Yes, they’re more expensive, but so much better for your home and everyone in it (plus they actually burn for longer, so aren’t, in the long term, bad value).

Many candles (especially cheap ones you can get in any discount store) are petroleum based, which means you’re actually burning small quantities of petroleum inside your home every day. I can’t think of any other circumstances in which you’d find this acceptable, but we’re all ‘Oh they’re candles, They’re greener than electricity. They’re romantic.’

I got over this a long time ago, when my first student dwelling actually developed black, smokey hot-spots all over the ceilings where I’d burned candles constantly. I even briefly made my own candles to ensure all natural ingredients.

What to do instead

These days I’m a busy mum with two businesses to run and my home is full of lovely, healthy, safe essential oil aromas, due to my diffuser.

If you’re new to the concept, essential oil diffusers are electrical appliances that work by putting a few drops of essential oil into a small water tank so the aroma can be safely diffused into the air. They’ve been around for a while but they’re becoming hugely popular with aromatherapy enthusiasts who want a cleaner, safer way to use their oils.

I use the Asakudi essential oil diffuser, pictured below, which is actually so much more than a diffuser. It acts as a mini humidifier, and has a beautiful color changing mood lighting feature as well.

Diffusing essential oils

If you’re getting serious about essential oils, or you know someone who is, a diffuser is a wise investment (and a great holiday gift). Check out my personal favorite Asakudi essential oil diffuser.

Don’t forget to always buy high quality therapeutic essential oils, and use them safely. Not sure about essential oil usage and benefits? I totally recommend this book:
Featured image by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash 

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