Aromatherapy oil burners are used to diffuse aromatherapy scents into the air. There are different types of aromatherapy oil burners. Although aromatherapy works in a number of ways, aromatherapy oil burners work primarily through the inhalation of essential oils.
Essential oils are diffused into the air, as the oil is heated up in the burner, and inhaled by those within the vicinity of the burner. There are many essential oils that can be used in aromatherapy oil burners, depending on the desired outcome. However, use caution when you are using them.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils, extracted from plants, for therapeutic use. Essential oils assist the healing of many health problems such as coughs and colds, headaches,stress and depression. Although synthetic fragrance oils can also be used in aromatherapy oil burners, they do not possess the same healing properties as pure essential oils.
Aromatherapy Oil Burners
According to the Aromatherapy at Home website, traditional aromatherapy oil burners are designed with a flat base, with a space to hold a candle and a bowl above the base to hold water. A few drops of essential oils are added to the water.
When the candle is lit, it produces heat that warms up the water and essential oils in the overhead bowl. Patricia Davis writes, in "Aromatherapy: An A-Z," that essential oils do not dissolve in water. Therefore, the essential oils in an aromatherapy oil burner only evaporate into the air when they are heated up.
Some aromatherapy burners are electric and do not use a candle. However, the principal action is the same in that the oils are heated and the essential oils evaporate.
Shirley and Len Price write in "Aromatherapy for Health Professionals" that aromatherapy oil burners release the lightest essential oil molecules first while the heavier essential oil molecules are released more slowly. Therefore, light citrus essential oils, such as lemon and orange, will burn more quickly than heavy essential oils such as rose.
Aromatherapy Through Inhalation
Aromatherapy oil burners work through inhalation. According to Price and Price, the quickest and most effective way in which aromatherapy works in the treatment of emotional issues, such as stress, depression and tension headaches, is through the nose, which is linked directly to the brain. Essential oil molecules pass through the nasal passageways and are processed by receptor cells in the brain. In addition, some essential oil vapors pass through the lungs and are therefore beneficial for the treatment of breathing difficulties, such as coughs and colds.
Types
Aromatherapy oil burners are known by a number of names. Aromatherapy oil burners are also called aromatherapy diffusers, aromatherapy vaporizers, essential oil burners and aromatherapy lamps. There are also electric aromatherapy burners, in addition to traditional aromatherapy oil burners with candles. The principle of each aromatherapy burner is the same. Each burner heats up and vaporizes the essential oils into the air.
Cautions
Valerie Ann Worwood advises in "The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy" to use one to six drops of essential oil in an aromatherapy oil burner. Add the chosen essential oil to the water in the top of the burner. Place the oil burner on a heat proof surface and keep the burner away from loose material such as curtains and paper.
Never let the oil burner run dry; add more warm water if needed. Using cold water on a hot bowl surface may crack it. Ensure you know the properties of the chosen essential oil before using it and be aware of any contra-indications for the use of a particular essential oil in regard to specific health conditions.
References
- "Aromatherapy for Health Professionals"; Shirley Price, Len Price; 2002
- "Aromatherapy: An A-Z"; Patricia Davis; 1999
- "The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy"; Valerie Ann Worwood; 1991
- Aromatherapy at Home: Questions and Answers About Aroma Oil Burners
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