Yahoo News Introducing the new-gen ultrasonic aromatherapy diffusers – because scented candles are so last year
The global aromatherapy market is anticipated to reach $2.35 billion by 2025, according to a report published this year by Grand View Research.
This extraordinary growth has been attributed to an increased awareness of the therapeutic benefits of essential oils.
Therapeutic applications deal with a broad range of issues, from skin-related problems to digestion, respiratory disorders, insomnia, and immune system functioning. As a result, the new high-tech vapour diffusers with advanced features are growing in popularity.
“Aromatherapy and essential oils are often used to reduce stress and anxiety, and to bring about relaxation,” says Farrah Idris, lead massage therapist at St Joseph’s Hospice and complementary therapies tutor at City Lit London.
Essential oils can boost cognitive functions, and minimise fatigue
But that’s not all. According to Idris, aromatherapy has many other uses. “Essential oils can enhance healing processes, and can also be used for symptom control if someone has an underlying health condition. If they’re recovering from an injury or from surgery, aromatherapy can both minimise pain and boost immunity,” she explains.
Apparently, they can even be used to boost your brainpower. “Essential oils can boost cognitive functions, and minimise fatigue if you’re working long hours in an office, studying or facing a long commute. People also use it to enhance their spiritual practise if they’re meditating, praying or doing yoga.”
One other use is in terms of palliative care. Idris explains that oils can simply bring comfort to a patient. “They’re very useful for cleansing an environment,” she adds. “They’re antibacterial and antiviral, but without the chemical nasties that you get in modern-day products. Eucalyptus and tea tree are natural purifiers.”
However, while recent research has found links between aromatherapy and improved aspects of health, parts of the scientific community remain sceptical. For example, Dr. Edzard Ernst, former chair of complementary medicine at the University of Exeter, has published two studies (in 2000 and 2012) on the subject. Ernst found no “convincing” evidence of aromatherapy's health benefits in relation to a series of ailments.
So, the jury remains out – although anecdotally, many attest to the positive impact aromatherapy has on their lives.
When it comes to selecting essential oils, Idris recommends opting for the best you can afford. "Make sure they’re proper oils and that you know what you’re buying," she advises. She cites G Baldwin & Co, Neal's Yard, Oshadhi, Tisserand, Aromatherapy Associates and Neom as go-to brands for high quality oils.
Once you've stocked up on your favourite blends, Idris recommends vapour diffusers as one of the best ways to enjoy essential oils and to incorporate aromatherapy into your day.
"Both people who are familiar with oils and people who are only just starting to use them will find that the new generation of electric vapour diffusers are really versatile and safe," she says. ""They cleanse and purify the air, and because you inhale them at a regulated pace, you're less likely to become oversensitised to the oils.
"If you’ve got young children or pets around, they’re great. They're often multi-sensory, with mists, lights and timers, so you can opt for either a 30-minute burst or an hour-long burst."
The Lumie IRIS 500 Body Clock (£129.99, Amazon), for example, is both an aromatherapy diffuser and an alarm clock, with medically certified light settings to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and to improve sleeping patterns.
Other aromatherapy diffusers even boast air humidifying functions. "If you’re in a dry environment with central heating, they can really help with the transition to autumn and winter," Idris explains.
Recommended: the best aromatherapy diffusers
Here, Idris recommends her pick of the best aromatherapy diffusers. "Don't forget, with some of them you can make your own blend and have a go at scent styling with three or four different oils," she adds. "For Christmas, you might want to make a blend with orange, frankincense and clove."
1. Un Air de Diptyque Electric Diffuser
This ceramic electric diffuser will fill your home with the Diptyque fragrances using specially designed capsules. It uses a fragrance release process that slowly emits perfume through air currents." A lot of these diffusers work on the same principles, which allow you to control the vapour release," says Idris. "Of course, a lot of it is about the way it looks. This one makes for a really beautiful gift for the home or for Christmas. "
2. Muji Large Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser
"This diffuser by Muji is pebble-shaped and very discreet. I use this one myself and it’s got a good range of settings and timers. It’s got a particularly nice sound function too, which sounds like trickling water," says Idris.
Our reviewer at The Telegraph was also suitably impressed with the mist settings, which reach "boiling kettle" levels of vapour diffusion to quickly purify the air and establish a pleasant atmosphere.
3. SOTO Aroma Diffuser by Made By Zen
"This one is an unusual shape, with a colour changing mood light. It's quite versatile, because you can use any essential oil with it," says Idris.
4. ALTO Aroma Diffuser by Made by Zen
We liked the ready-made blends of oils from Made by Zen, and preferred the contemporary, sleek styling of their Alto diffuser (a little more expensive than the SOTO, currently £71.99 via Amazon), which automatically shuts off when the water falls below a certain level, and a built-in speaker for personal music.
4. Este Aroma Diffuser
"This bamboo design by Neal's Yard is hand-cut and really elegant. It's easy to clean, and can be used with any oils," Idris explains.
We liked the natural look of this petite diffuser, which sits nicely on a bedside table. It's perfectly suited to experimenting with different blends, without being too overpowering. Thanks to it's simple design, it's easy to clean and to change the oils often according to your mood.
The Neal's Yard range of essential oils and their Little Book of Essential Oils is also highly recommended.
5. Made by Zen Niko Travel and Car Aroma Diffuser in black
"This design in black is extremely subtle, and fits easily into the cup holder in the car." Less feminine than some of the other designs, this one would work particularly well as a Christmas gift for him, Idris recommends, or for people who travel with pets in the car.
6. Esteban Timer Edition Ultrasonic Electric Diffuser in black
"This alarm clock and diffuser in one has a modern aesthetic, and you can set it up for the morning so that you wake up with a nice mist. They recommend Esteban oils for refilling it, but I'm sure you could use your own."
7. Tom Dixon Charcoal Scent Diffuser
"This one isn’t strictly an electric vapour diffuser. It's a take on the reed ones, but instead of having lots of reeds, it uses one thick stick of charcoal in a glass holder with a measuring cup," Idris explains. "It doesn’t use electricity and it’s portable, so it makes for an interesting alternative."
The Telegraph makes a small amount of money by adding affiliate links to products mentioned in this article, however all products are picked independently by our journalists.
