Imagine coming from work, tired from the piled-up work and hassle, entering a home full of soothing scents all around, and finally you leave a sigh of relief, feeling your nerves stretching and shoulders relaxing. Sounds tempting, right? It is definitely more calming than you can imagine.
Essential oils are potent plant extracts known for their enigmatic aroma and flavor. They have the power to stimulate certain senses of the body, providing you a calm mind and relaxed body.
For centuries, South Asian and Middle Eastern countries have treasured the scent of essential oils for their immense meditative and therapeutic potential. Presently, they own high value in aromatherapy and luxury perfumes and candles. Despite the other ways, the most popular and efficient method is to use essential oils in the diffuser.
Fragrance and oil dispensers are the most common mediums to use essential oils. You must have seen different kinds of diffusers in homes, offices, cafes, and other places, used for creating a lovely aroma and calming effects.
To make perfect use of essential oils in a diffuser, it is necessary to use them in definite proportions for a fixed duration to avoid overwhelming effects. I have summarized a complete guide to help you use the perfect amount of essential oil for your room or office space.
In order to gain a clear understanding of the way essential oil works—the ideal amount to be used—and the pros and cons of using essential oil, in this guide I have listed everything you need to know about essential oils and their various uses.
Here’s a quick reference chart explaining how many drops of essential oil in diffusers for different room sizes.
Area ( in square feet)
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Amount of essential oil
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100 sq
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2-4 drops (1 tsp. of essential oil)
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200 sq
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5-10 drops (2 tsp of essential oil)
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300 sq
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10-12 drops ( 2&½ tsp. of essential oil)
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400 sq
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15-16 drops (3 tsp. of essential oil)
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800 sq
|
22-25 drops (5 tsp. of essential oil)
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Factors Influencing the Number of Drops
There are definite factors that influence the amount of oil one should use in a diffuser, and understanding them is very necessary.
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Strength of the oil: Some essential oils are mild, while others may be more absolute and have an overwhelming scent, which may cause headaches, dizziness, and overpower the mind and body.
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Surface area: The perimeter of the area is a key determining factor. If used for small rooms, a few drops will be sufficient, and in the case of large surface areas like offices and banquet halls, the amount needs to be increased in the right proportions.
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Type of diffuser: The kind of diffuser you are using is another variable that decides the quantity of essential oil to be used.
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User sensitivity: Some of you might like strong scents, while others may prefer mild and gentle ones. It completely depends on individual preference and fragrance sensitivity.
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Duration: Time interval plays a vital role in deciding the amount of essential oil to be placed in a diffuser. However, 40-60 min is the ideal duration for mild and gentle oils and 25-30 min for powerful oils.
Practical Tips for Essential Oil Usage in Diffusers
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Dilute with carrier oils: Add carrier oils to neutralize the overpowering effects.
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Start slow: Use less oil in the beginning and add small increments.
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Avoid exposure: Essential oils, due to their potent nature, are sun-sensitive and get oxidized very fast. Store them at a safe place.
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Make a perfect fusion: Mix fragrances, which go well together.
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For example: Mix a few drops of jasmine essential oil and sandalwood oil in a diffuser and place it on the bedside for a peaceful and quality sleep.
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Source smartly: If you use essential oils in larger spaces over a period of time like offices or hotels, then it is wiser to buy wholesale essential oils instead of small retail packs. This will not only help save you a ton of money but will also keep you stocked for a longer period of time.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Essential Oil Diffusion
Essential oil is a powerful source of benefits for the physical, emotional, and mental health of individuals. But besides all these advantages, it is necessary to take some precautions before using these oils in diffusers. Using excess amounts can cause overpowering results like headaches, dizziness, or skin irritation. There is a vital need to study the essential oil you are using to avoid undesirable results.
Comparing Different Essential Oils
There is a wide range of natural aromatic CO2 extracts and essential oils available out there. Tea tree oil offers multiple skin benefits, and on the contrary, jasmine essential is ideal for your nighttime routine, providing quality and relaxing sleep. Lemon essential oil helps improve your mood, relieves stress, and creates a positive environment.
Nevertheless, all essential oils offer a diverse range of healing and therapeutic benefits; it's your need and sensitivity to aromas that decide your perfect fit.
What Will Happen If We Use Too Much Essential Oil?
Everything in excess is opposed to nature! The quote perfectly matches the case of using too much essential oil. Using more than the required amount can cause adverse effects like:
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Headache and drowsiness: Essential oils have potent aromatic properties, which sometimes may overpower your senses and cause headaches and dizziness.
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Skin allergies: Using excess oils like tea tree oil can cause rashes and skin allergies.
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Respiratory dysfunctions: Inhaling strong scents like jasmine and white oudh for long durations can cause sneezing and colds.
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Hormonal imbalance: Essential oils play a profound role in stimulating the mental health of an individual. But excess of the same can disturb the hormone levels of the body.
- Photosensitivity: Make sure not to use essential oil under direct exposure to the sun; it is most preferable to use essential oil in a diffuser during the night or in an unexposed environment to the sun.
- Reactions within the body: Essential oils are strong in nature, and too much usage can lead to reactions with other medications. Individuals with respiratory diseases like asthma and liver diseases should make considerate use of them.
What Will Happen If You Use Less Amounts Of Essential Oils In Your Diffuser?
Inadequate quantity of essential oil might restrain the effects of essential oil. Although it is ideal for sensitive individuals who are intolerant to strong odors. The faint aroma might not give satisfactory or desirable results.
What Determines Essential Oil Quality?
In a wide competitive market, it is extremely hard to acquire 100% organic essential oil. I have compiled a few important factors that help you test the quality of essential oil and make the best choice for your loved ones.
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Smell: Check for the scent of essential oil; is it what you expect it to smell like? If not, it might be synthetically treated or diluted with preservatives.
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Color: Essential oils are obtained from the botanical compounds of plants. Thus, they do not contain much vibrant color variation.
- Price: Compare the prices of various brands If someone offers very little price, it might be a red flag.
- Purity claim: Check the quality claim of the brand. If it does not convey 100% organic essential oil, then your oil might be infused with solvents or other diluting substances.