Diffusing is a favorite way to use oils aromatically. As we discussed in the Choosing the Right Diffuser post, using a diffuser, to disperse the essential oils into the air in tiny particles, is a great way to both freshen and improve the quality of the air and to absorb the oil particles into your body through your nose, where they find a quick route to your brain, and enter your blood stream through your lungs. Diffusing also, to a lesser extent, results in the absorption of essential oils through the skin – especially for animals who readily absorb tiny essential oil molecules through hair follicles.

Today we’ll explore some of the best oils for specific purposes and situations. However, before we do, it’s very important to understand that choosing the right diffuser for the situation is just as important as choosing the right essential oil! The wrong diffuser for your situation can make problems worse (yes, really!!). In addition, some are too strong for sensitive individuals and babies, and others are too gentle to be successfully therapeutic, so be sure to also read Choosing the Right Diffuser.

Aromatic use of essential oils is a great way to…

• support the immune system
• support the respiratory system
• support deep sleep
• calm anxious, stressed, or chaotic people and environments
• support emotional well-being
• support intellectual clarity, strength, and stamina
• eliminate odors
• digest mold spores
• eliminate germs in the air and on surfaces

Diffusing essential oils is a FANTASTIC way to offer general support for the bodies in your family (large, small, and furry!), because it’s generally gentle (when small amounts of oils are released over a longer period of time), can be done more intensely to attain more therapeutic benefits, and it’s easy to do!

So let’s talk oils!

Diffusing to Support the Immune System

• Thieves is always the first choice for large areas like Office areas, as well as for ultrasonic mist diffusing and low-setting atomizing diffusing at home. It’s also great for travel/portable diffusing!
• A blend of Lemon, Frankincense, and Lavender is great for kids’ rooms during challenging seasons.
• Lemon is a favorite in School Classrooms.
• Other oils that support the Immune System, and are great choices for diffusing, include Citrus Fresh, Abundance, Melrose, Awaken, Idaho Blue Spruce, and Northern Lights Black Spruce.

Diffusing to Support the Respiratory System

• RC, Raven, Breathe Again, Thieves, Frankincense, Rosemary, Ravintsara, Idaho Blue Spruce, Northern Lights Black Spruce and all of the Eucalyptus oils are top choices to support the Adult respiratory system.
• Idaho Grand Fir and Frankincense are both great choices to diffuse for supporting Children’s respiratory systems.

Diffusing to Support Deep Sleep

• For gentle support, and for children’s rooms, a blend of Lavender and Cedarwood is amazing! Frankincense  Roman Chamomile, and Peace and Calming are also wonderful for gentle support of a good night’s sleep.
• For more serious support, try Tranquil, Valerian, or RutaVaLa.

Diffusing to Calm Anxious, Stressed, or Chaotic People and Environments

• Peace & Calming, Peace & Calming II, or a blend of Lavender and Cedarwood are wonderful in Daycare facilities, Elementary School classrooms, and in homes with Small Children, and also for those with family members on the Autism spectrum.
• Harmony is a wise choice for Middle School classrooms and homes with tweens and teens. 🙂
• Clarity, Brain Power, Valor, and Valor II are perfect for High School and College classrooms, as well a for Study Time at home. Have a day-dreamer? Try Sacred Mountain or  🙂 Late night cram session? Diffuse En-R-Gee and Lemon!
• Stress Away is perfect for hectic Office Environments, and to unwind after a long, hard day.

Diffusing for Emotional Well-Being

• Hope, Joy and Frankincense are all very supportive for those challenged with depression.
• Release, Inspiration, Present Time, and Gathering are great choices for those dealing with grief.
• Surrender can be very supportive for those who struggle with irritability, aggression, and/or a controlling nature.
• SARA, Hope, Joy, Inner Child, Trauma Life and Forgiveness can all be supportive for those who have a past of any form of abuse or neglect.
• Envision, Believe, and Into the Future are very supportive for those who are stuck behind fears and emotional blocks.
• Valor and Valor II support feelings of strength, courage and self-esteem, especially in the face of adversity.
• Present Time is supportive for those trying to step out of living in the past and/or with regret.
• Oola Balance supports those who desire a more positive outlook and seek to find balance in a hectic life.
• Release and Transformation are both powerfully supportive of releasing anger and deep-seated trauma.
• White Angelica and Sacred Mountain both support feelings of strength, empowerment, grounding, security and protection.
• Christmas Spirit, Joy and Believe are all wonderful choices for helping to chase away the blues!

Diffusing to Support Intellectual Clarity, Strength, and Stamina

• Lemon, Rosemary and Peppermint are all great choices for support during learning and test taking, supporting memory and concentration.
• Brain Power supports concentration, mental potential and clarity.
• Clarity or Grounding are helpful for times when you’re feeling scattered.
• Common Sense supports mental acuity, decision making abilities, and everyday thinking skills.
• Have a day-dreamer? Try Sacred Mountain or Gathering.
• Late night cram session? Diffuse En-R-Gee and Lemon!
• Grounding, Gathering, Oola Balance, Brain Power and Highest Potential are very supportive for those who struggle with concentration and focus.

Diffusing to Eliminate Odors

• Purification is the oil of choice for eliminating general household odors
• Lemon is lovely in the kitchen to combat the odor of fried foods
• Lavender, Sacred Mountain or Pine are favorites in the bathroom

Diffusing to Purify Indoor Air and Surfaces

• Thieves – definitely the #1 choice!
• Purification
• Eucalyptus
• Lemongrass
• Lemon
• Rosemary

And, of course, as long as this compilation is, it’s not complete – there are lots of other essential oils that will provide similar support, but those listed are the ones with the most scientific research showing their supportive abilities. I hope this gives you a good place to start! And remember, especially when diffusing for personal support, all bodies are different – what works best for one person in a certain situation, may not be what works best for another in what seems to be a similar situation – experiment and find what works best for you!