What are the best smelling essential oils for diffusers? Do you need to clear the air as you clear your mind?
Making the right choice can help you recreate a yoga studio experience right in the comfort of your own house. While you’re at it, you can enjoy other benefits including boosted health and a cleaner home environment.
Personal taste is a big factor when choosing a great smelling and effective essential oil. Hate the scent of peppermint? Try citrus or clary sage oils, which offer similar benefits.
Before we get into that in detail, let’s talk about what oil to buy and how to use it. So what counts as a high-quality essential oil? What kind of diffuser will you need?
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What Should You Look For in High-quality Essential Oils?
Don’t automatically buy an oil with the “Therapeutic Grade” label. That’s an unregulated term that varies from one manufacturer to the next.
Instead, take a close look at the bottle and packaging. Keep an eye out for:
- no synthetic compounds
- 100% pure, no dilution
- certifications such as GMP or USDA Organic
- purity testing including in-house batch tests or GC-MS testing
Do You Need a Specific Kind of Oil Diffuser?
There are four basic kinds of oil diffusers that you can get: heat, evaporative, nebulizers, and ultrasonic diffusers. All four break the oil down into tiny particles that are diffused through the air.
Do you need to invest in a certain kind of aromatherapy diffuser? Probably not. Most quality essential oils perform well in any style of diffuser.
Seven Essential Oils for Every Purpose
1. Lavender
Lavender is one of the most popular choices for an essential oil diffuser. This is due to a pleasantly herbal-floral scent and its long history in aromatherapy use.
The herb is best known as a sleep aid. It can help soothe nerves, release tight muscles, and clear the mind of stubborn worries. To get the greatest effects, diffuse for an hour before bedtime or while relaxing in the tub.
Lavender may also help repel moths. When paired with citronella oil (see below), this creates a powerful blend that keeps nighttime insects from ruining your backyard yoga session.
2. Citronella
Did you know that citronella oil doesn’t come from a citrus tree? Despite the name and lemony aroma, it is actually extracted from an Asiatic grass.
This essential oil is a staple in candles. It clears the air of insects so people can enjoy summer nights on their patio. However, the oil also works in a diffuser.
Along with being an insect repellent, citronella essential oil:
- is mildly antifungal, good for humid areas of the home
- can fight fatigue, similar to other citrus-inspired scents
- may reduce appetite
3. Peppermint
Do you need an extra kick of energy in the mornings? Peppermint oil is to the rescue.
This hybrid mint is rich in menthol compounds. These give it a distinctively bright, cool scent. When used in an essential oils diffuser, peppermint can:
- improve alertness
- sharpen the senses
- increase energy and athletic performance
Studies suggest that peppermint essential oil can also enhance memory and learning. You may want to diffuse some while studying or practicing a new skill.
Finally, peppermint leaves help settle the stomach and can improve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. However, not everyone likes or can tolerate peppermint tea. The diffused essential oil offers similar effects for people with sensitive tastebuds and stomachs.
4. Citrus Oils
Lemons, oranges, and grapefruits are closely related in the plant family. Their essential oils offer basically the same benefits. Just choose whichever scent you prefer.
Citrus oils both invigorate and relax. They can:
- balance the mood
- lower blood pressure and stress hormone levels
- increase energy in the morning
- freshen the air in the room
Note that citrus essential oils are fragile and degrade relatively quickly. This is true even with quality oils that are carefully stored. You may want to consider purchasing smaller bottles of citrus essential oils and replacing them when the scent weakens.
5. Chamomile
This herb has been used since the time of the ancient Romans. Chamomile essential oils have a lightly floral and grassy scent. It’s mild and a good choice for households where not everyone enjoys the smell of essential oils.
Although it smells mild, chamomile is a potent sleep aid that soothes the body and mind. It can:
- make it easier for you to fall asleep
- deepens the rest cycle
- relieve mood disorders
- lower your blood pressure
Keep in mind that people with ragweed allergies may react to chamomile oil. Test it in small doses first.
6. Clary Sage
Here’s another herb with a long history as a folk remedy. In the time of the ancient Greeks, various tinctures of Clary Sage were used to relieve so-called ‘women’s issues.’ This included regulating menstrual cycles and inducing labor contractions.
In modern times, people have used clary sage oil to:
- relieve menstrual cramps
- steady the breath
- reduce blood pressure
As a bonus, clary sage may improve concentration and memory.
7. Eucalyptus
Did you know that three-quarters of the forests in Australia are mostly eucalyptus? Australia used to be the world’s leading exporter of eucalyptus oil.
When enjoyed in moderation, the potent essential oil offers a number of health benefits. Diffused eucalyptus oils can:
- ease sore throats and nasal passages
- temporarily relieve congestion and runny noses
- alleviate headaches and sinus pain
- ease lingering aches after exercise
Eucalyptus may also improve your home’s environment. This essential oil can freshen the air and eliminate mildew. That makes it a great choice for humid areas like the bathroom.
The Final Word on the Best Smelling Essential Oils for Diffusers
The right essential oil will give you the benefits you need and a scent you love. Once you get a handle on single oils, you can branch out to experimenting with oil blends. These let you create signature scents that offer all the right things, from mellowing your mood to relieving post-yoga soreness.
