Aromatherapy uses scent to promote healing. When Andrea Butje, Elizabeth Repede and others reviewed a number of studies for the Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services in 2008, they found that certain scents can elevate mood, reduce stress and heal alleviate insomnia. Diffusers distribute scent throughout an area. You can purchase an aromatherapy, or make your own from simple materials.
Step 1
Mix essential oil with the dipropylene glycol. The dipropylene glycol thins the oil so that the reeds can soak it up. Wavelengths Natural Health recommends mixing 1 oz. or essential oil with 2 1/4 oz. dipropylene glycol.
Step 2
Pour the oil mixture into the vase or glass bottle. At this point you can add a few drops of food coloring or candle dye if you like.
Step 3
Insert three to five reeds in the vase, with the ends of the reeds resting in the oil mixture. Turn the reeds over so that the other end now rests in the oil. The reeds act as a straw, wicking up the oil mixture over the next few hours.
Step 4
Add 1/4 oz. perfumer's alcohol or vodka if the oil does not wick up the reed after 24 hours. The oil may be too thick and adding the alcohol will thin it further.
Tips and Warnings
- Purchase dipropylene glycol and reeds at craft stores or candle supply stores. Turn the reeds over to refresh the diffuser's scent. Add more essential oil to strengthen the scent.
- Over time the reeds will become saturated and no longer effectively diffuse the scent. Replace them with new reeds.
Things You'll Need
- Glass bottle or vase
- Essential oil
- Dipropylene glycol
- Food coloring or candle dye.
- Vodka or perfumer's alcohol
- Reeds
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Aromatherapy
- "Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services": Healing Scents, An Overview of Clinical Aromatherapy for Emotional Distress; Andrea Butje, et al; 2008
- Cierra Candles: How to Make Reed Diffusers
- Wavelengths Natural Health: Reed Diffuser Oil Recipe
- Wavelengths Natural Health: How to Make Reed Diffusers
