Knowing how to diffuse essential oils without a diffuser can save you money and improve your wellbeing. Essential oils provide a safe, effective alternative to toxic scented candles. While buying a diffuser seems like the only way to reap the benefits there are other ways you can receive the aromatic benefits of essential oils without purchasing a diffuser.
Apart from providing a pleasant smell, learning how to diffuse essential oils without a diffuser can provide respiratory disinfection, decongestant, and psychological benefits. Inhaling essential oils stimulates the olfactory system, the part of the brain connected to smell, including the nose and the brain.
Essential oil molecules that enter the nose or mouth pass to the lungs, and from there, to other parts of the body. As the molecules reach the brain, they affect the limbic system, which is linked to the emotions, the heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress, and hormone balance. In this way, essential oils can have a subtle, yet holistic effect on the body.
Essential oils have so many benefits. They can help detox heavy metals, relieve pain, and clear skin. You can treat a wide variety of mental and physical problems with essential oils. Whether it’s alleviating pain, improving focus, promoting restful sleep, or aiding in digestion, there are essential oils that can help with the healing process.
You can learn how to diffuse essential oils without a diffuser and reap its benefits using the following ways: direct inhalation, vaporizer, humidifier, perfume, and others.
How to Diffuse Essential Oils Without a Diffuser
1. Furnace Filter
You can put a few drops of essential oil on your furnace filter. When the furnace streams air over the filter the essential oils will be diffused throughout your home. The smell will decrease after a couple of days. You’ll need to add extra drops of essential oil to the furnace filter every few days.
2. Bamboo Sticks
This method is really simple to use; reeds are inserted into a glass bottle or glass jar of carrier and essential oil, the reeds soak up the scent and emit a pleasant aroma around your home. Reed diffusers are easy to make and uses no electricity like the nebulizer and last a lot longer than the time in between needing to refill the water tank of a traditional electronic version.
Ingredients
- 1 diffuser glass bottle or vase
- 3 ounces carrier oil like almond, apricot oil
- 5 diffuser sticks (bamboo skewers work as well)
- essential oils of your choice
Instructions
- Fill your diffuser vase with 3 ounces of liquid carrier oil
- Add 3 drops of your favorite essential oil blend to the vase.
- Now you’ll insert 5 to 7 of the sticks into the vase, and you’re all set
3. Tissue Method
Diffusing oils on tissue is inexpensive, requires no equipment, and can be done anywhere, anytime. Place 2-3 drops of essential oil on a tissue and keep it nearby. You can tuck it into an air vent in your car or simply hold it close to your nose and breathe in. Refresh with 1 drop every hour.
4. Cotton Balls
This is an especially great way to make the most of your near empty essential oil bottles. Cotton balls soak up the oils and then evaporate out in a similar fashion to reed diffusion. If you’re using up a near-empty bottle of essential oils, stuff the cotton balls in straight to the bottom and then just leave the cap off for the diffusion to take place.
5. Cedar Chips
Another simple, decorative idea to diffuse essential oils without a diffuser is to put a handful of cedar chips in a decorative bowl and add a few drops of your favorite essential oils. This works great with pine cones too.
6. Room Spray
Simply mix your favorite oils with a bit of alcohol or witch hazel (to distribute it more evenly since oils don’t mix well with water) in a spray bottle before filling it with distilled water.
Shake well before using and mist your home, furniture, or carpets for a fresh smell.
7. Pillow Method
Don’t have a cotton ball or a tissue? No problem. Use a cloth or even your pillow case. Put a couple drops of essential oil on the corner (or even underside) of your pillow. Perfect way to drift off and have a great night’s sleep.
8. Stovetop
This is another simple way to diffuse essential oils without a diffuser. Put a mixture of water and essential oil, or carrier oil with essential oil on the stovetop in a small pot on the lowest setting possible. The heat will slowly evaporate the oils into the air.
You want to try and stir the oils to break up into small droplets, and also be careful you don’t evaporate out all the water and burn the bottom of your pot.
9. Bathe
Bath time can be one of the best ways to ease away the stresses and strains of the day. What better way to increase liberation than to use essential oils. They have multiple beneficial values and by adding a few drops you can cure minor ailments.
10. Shower Steamer
No time for baths, there’s a simple alternative– just put a few drops of essential oil on a washcloth. Put the washcloth in a spot on the shower floor where it will get a little wet, but out of the main water stream. As the water hits it, it will give off the aroma (and benefits) of the essential oils.
11. Wooden Clothespins
Freshen up your closet by placing a1-2 drops of your favorite essential oils onto a clothespin. Then, just hang up your skirts, and pants and let it diffuse into your closet. This also works great if you are using your clothespins for a magnet to hang papers on.
12. Palm or bottle method
In a pinch, simply open the bottle, take a deep breath in, and repeat every few minutes. But if it’s an oil you feel safe to use on your skin, you can put 2-3 drops on your palm and rub them (diluted with a small amount of carrier oil, depending on what you’re using), and then cup your hands under your face and breathe in deeply.
13. Jewelry
Terracotta pendant diffusers can be worn on a necklace or bracelet. They’re great for emitting a signature scent without putting it on your skin. Simply apply a few drops of essential oil to the pendant and breathe in the molecules as the oil evaporates.
14. Candles
There are three ways to use candles to diffuse out essential oils. First, you can buy some essential oil-infused candles. The second way is to make your own infused candles! The last way, and definitely the easiest, is to put a few drops into any beeswax candle while burning. Ideally, there will be a small puddle of wax in your candle already.
15. Wax Warmer
Say goodbye to the toxic, artificial fragrance melts from the local store. You can fragrant your home naturally and cheaper with essential oils. Place a 1-2 teaspoons of coconut oil to your candle wax warmer, add 5-10 drops of essential oils.
When to diffuse essential oils without a diffuser
- Truly, aromatherapy is beneficial when you’re feeling overwhelmed or having a particularly stressful day. And you can use essential oils practically anywhere:
- At the office to stay alert or for extra brainpower
- Before bedtime to increase your quality of sleep
- At school (before a big test) if you need some peace of mind
- During yoga or meditation—certain oils can help sharpen your focus and enhance the wonderful effects of your practice
- During massage to enhance the calming effect on your body and mind