Welcome to another essential oil safety article. Everyone loves a great smelling home, but have you considered the safety aspects diffusing essential oils in an ultrasonic diffuser? Ultrasonic diffusers work by breaking the essential oil particles down into micro-molecules & then emitting the micro droplets of water vapour into the air which are then breathed in by those present. The therapeutic benefits of diffusion are wonderful, but whilst essential oils are natural they are also incredibly potent and should be treated like you would medicine. Safety should be always considered before use.
Here are some basic points to consider before diffusing essential oils:
- Who is around whilst you are diffusing? Is this a public space such as a shop, waiting room or classroom?
- What is the age of the people who you are diffusing around?
- What is the health condition of the people you are diffusing around? Are they taking any medications? Are they pregnant? Do they have any allergies?
- Which oils are you planning to diffuse? Are they essential oils or fragrance oils?
- How much oil are you planning to use?
- How long will you be diffusing for?
- Do you have any pets around?
- What is the size of the space that you are diffusing in?
- What is the purpose of you diffusing essential oils?
DIFFUSING AROUND OTHERS
It’s important to be sure that the oils you are diffusing are safe for everyone who will be exposed to them. For that reason alone it is advised to not diffuse in public spaces, waiting rooms or classrooms as we do not fully understand what the health condition of each person entering that space is. Simply put essential oils can have contraindications when taking medications or may not be suitable for those who are pregnant or have allergies. Asthma, epilepsy and other heath conditions may also be triggered by certain essential oils. Whilst it may be appealing to create a relaxed or ‘germ free’ environment in a place such as the classroom or waiting room, the potential risks can outweigh the benefits of using essential oils in this manner.
Whilst the health related risks may be minimal, we should also be aware that essential oils can affect different people in different ways. For example whilst lavender is considered to be a sedating essential oil it can actually cause hyperactivity in some children, therefore it may have the opposite effect to what was intended when using. It’s also important to consider that everyone has different tastes and preferences when it comes to the scent of essential oils. A scent that you might find appealing may be unappealing to another individual. Scent can also trigger certain memories which will differentiate between different people.
A suggestion for diffusing in the classroom or public space would be to run the diffuser before or after the space is being used to avoid direct exposure by those using the room. Alternatively we suggest using personal inahalers or diffuser jewellery so that other people are not also exposed to the therapeutic effects of the essential oils.
DIFFUSING AROUND CHILDREN
Some essential oils are not regarded as safe for use on or around young children. Babies are very sensitive to strong aromas. Young children’s immune systems have not fully developed and they are overall less able to deal with adverse effects of concentrated substances like essential oils. We recommend that you avoid using any essential oils around babies before 6 months of age. Hydrosols are a better and far gentler option. For children aged 6 months – 2 years of age it is recommended to only diffuse for short periods of time (no more than 15 minutes at a time) around younger babies. Start off with 2-4 drops of oil maximum. For children over 2 years of age generally around 5-6 drops maximum can be used in the diffuser. Diffusion shouldn’t last longer than 30 minutes at a time.
If your little one is having trouble sleeping we recommend popping the diffuser on for 15-30 minutes before bed and then switching off after this time. It is not advised to keep the diffuser running constantly all night. Most diffusers can be used alone as humidifier with water or also can be used simply as a night light. Leaving the light set on the red colour setting can also help to promote sleep without being exposed to concentrated essential oils all night long. The theory is that red light aids melatonin production which helps you to sleep better. Whilst I love essential oils and their incredible therapeutic benefits it’s best to avoid over exposure and dependence on them every night to get your child to sleep. More detailed information including a list of safe essential oils for children can be read here – Safe Essential Oils For Children.
DIFFUSING AROUND PETS
Animals are more sensitive to essential oils than humans so extreme caution must be taken when using essential oils around them. It is not recommended to diffuse in small enclosed spaces where your pet can not leave. Cats are particularly averse to citrus essential oils and high-phenol oils. However Tisserand suggests that low levels of diffusion can be safe around cats in large and well ventilated areas. Tisserand writes “It’s more about overall exposure. You can diffuse essential oils around cats safely, so long as there’s good ventilation, you only diffuse small amounts for limited periods of time, and your cat has the freedom to leave the room if it wants. A few parts per million of aromatic vapor in the air is not likely to be harmful, but be careful to avoid build-up of vapors over many hours.” For more detailed information please read my related article : Essential Oil Safety & Pets.
DIFFUSION TIME
Although the majority of diffuser manufacturers claim in their product descriptions that they can run for excessive periods of time, constant diffusion over long periods of time is not advised. Symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, headaches and drowsiness may occur when becoming over exposed to breathing in essential oils. Intermittent diffusion is suggested, which means the diffuser switches on and off with equal breaks inbetween. Generally speaking the recommended time would be to diffuse for 30 minutes to 1 hour before switching off and having a break for 30 minutes to 1 hour. “This is because our body, especially our nervous system, habituates after this length of time. With continuous diffusion, while benefits do not increase, there is evidence that the body becomes stressed in various ways.” Tisserand. “However, very low levels of diffusion – so the essential oil is barely noticeable – are fine anywhere, for any length of time.” Tisserand
SIZE OF SPACE
You will notice the effects of the essential oils a lot more in smaller enclosed spaces. Depending on which oils are used they may become too over powering if there is not enough ventilation in the room. Diffusion over shorter periods of time whilst using less essential oil is recommended for smaller enclosed spaces such as small bedrooms, office or car.
TYPES OF OIL & DROPS
Fragrance oils should not be added to an ultrasonic diffuser as it can be harmful to breathe in the vapour of the synthetic components of these blends. It is also recommended to not add too many drops of essential oil to the ultrasonic diffuser. 5-6 drops of essential oil in 100ml of water should be sufficient for use around older children and adults.
We also advise to switch between the blends and essential oils which you diffuse. This will help in avoiding over exposure to the same oils over long periods of time and you will less likely develop sensitivities to those particular essential oils.
PURPOSEFUL DIFFUSION
It is recommended to diffuse using an ultrasonic diffuser with purpose rather than for just scent alone or ‘just because’. Occasionally it’s okay to diffuse for scent alone, however purposeful diffusion may be that you are trying to relax and unwind before bed, you are feeling unwell, or perhaps you wish to diffuse whilst studying to assist with focus and mental clarity. Whilst diffusing makes the house smell great, essential oils have therapeutic properties which are absorbed through the respiratory system and into the body via this method. For home fragrance and aromatic use you may wish to try alternatives such as wax melts or room mists which possess less therapeutic effects than breathing in micro vapours from ultrasonic diffusion.
I hope you find this article concise and informative. I didn’t write this article to insight fear about using essential oils. Essential oils are safe when used correctly. It’s important that people are able to make their own informed decisions before using essential oils safely in their homes. If you have any questions about diffusing please send me a message. Happy diffusing!
Please always consult with a health care practitioner if you have any questions regarding your medical health.
A recommended book on essential oil safety information is :
‘Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals’ by Robert Tisserand
Disclaimer : The information contained on this website is for educational purposes only. The traditional and suggested uses listed here are for reference only and under no circumstances should they be taken as recommendations for cures or treatments for diseases or medical conditions. Aromatic Boutique (Aromatherapy For Australia) shall not be responsible for any damages resulting from use of or reliance upon this information. Therapeutic oils are used to support natural body functions and work in harmony with our body’s physiology. The information on this website should not be used as a substitute for medical counselling with a health professional. Always keep out of reach of children and consult a medical practitioner before use during pregnancy or other medical conditions. The essential oils that we sell are safe if used as directed. If misuse of essential oils occurs please phone the poisons information centre straight away – 13 11 26
