Can essential oils be added to a humidifier? The specifics of aroma use

What oils are suitable for use in a humidifier

If a humidifier with an aromatization option is used, it has a compartment in which oil is added. For such devices, you can use any aromatic substances, ranging from extracts from chamomile to essential oils of lemon, orange and other plants. Water-soluble aromatic oils are excellent for use in an aroma humidifier, which differ from ordinary essential oils in concentration. To obtain such a product, glycerin is removed from the essential oil to reduce density and viscosity, which is replaced by alcohol. The resulting product has the same properties as classical ether.

Self-preparation of water

Self-preparation of distillate is carried out as follows.

Water settles for six hours. This time is sufficient for the natural removal of volatile impurities, chlorine and the lowering of salts of heavy metals. Then the lower layer of liquid is drained through the tube in an amount of about a third of the level.

Water is poured into an enameled pan no higher than half the level. A container for distillate is placed on the grate above the water mirror. The pot is closed with a lid. It is advisable to use a lid that is concave downwards so that drops of distilled water flow into the container. The collected liquid is frozen and stored in the freezer.

The natural distillate is rainwater. But it is undesirable to collect it in the conditions of the city.

High-quality water treatment will extend the life of the humidifier, ensure its uninterrupted operation, and is necessary for our health and longevity.

Traditional

The manufacturer categorically prohibits the addition of salt to the water tank, from which it will evaporate and be blown out by a fan into the air space of the room.

It is highly recommended to fill the tank with clean tap water up to 40 degrees Celsius.

It is even stipulated that the dishes from which the tank is filled must be perfectly clean from chemical additives, the presence of cleaning agents and mineral fertilizers. That even such microscopic doses of reagents can lead to failure.

Not to mention the fact that the deliberate dissolution of sea or other salt, fragrances, water preservatives in water can damage the parts of the unit and cause cracks. Even one drop of a foreign compound can render the device unusable and it will not be subject to warranty repair.

If you do not follow these requirements, you can get as a result that the parts and components of the humidifier will become unusable, and the air saturated with salts will contribute to the precipitation of a white precipitate. This will lead to damage to furniture and interior.

Properties

Essential oils have a very wide spectrum of action and help with a wide variety of problem situations. Among the main properties of aroma oil are:

• acts as an antispasmodic;
• helps to reduce headaches;
• may be an antiseptic;
• has a calming effect;
• may have a stimulating effect;
• stimulates mental activity.

Before using essential oil, you need to know exactly the indications for its use, because it can have a strong effect, which may not always be positive. To know exactly which oils to take in a given situation, it is worth considering their purpose.

• Anise is used for colds, tonsillitis and bronchitis, and also has a positive effect in case of weakened immunity.
• Bergamot is one of the oils that should not be used in the sun, as the effect will be unpredictable. By itself, the oil is used for problems with the immune system, for insomnia, fatigue and depression, in addition, it helps with burn lesions, promotes intensive skin and hair care.
• Valerian effectively fights severe headaches, also helps those who suffer from insomnia fall asleep, calms the nervous system in cases of depression and improves efficiency.
• Verbena is effective in case of severe headache, helps to cope with insomnia, depression and fatigue. It also copes well with wounds and burns and is used for rheumatism, osteochondrosis and sciatica.
• Cloves can help to cope with colds, sore throats and bronchitis. Also, this ether effectively heals wounds and burns, helps in the treatment of rheumatism, osteochondrosis and injuries of varying severity, in addition, it is used as a skin and hair care product.

• Geranium helps to fight colds well.
• Grapefruit is one of those oils that are best avoided in the sun. Effectively helps with sleep disorders, fatigue and depression, helps to increase the body's resistance to viral diseases.
• Oregano, ylang-ylang and jasmine help to save the skin after burns or in case of injury, give proper care to the skin and hair.
• Ginger very effectively helps with colds, sore throats and bronchitis, eliminates headaches, improves immunity, provides skin and hair care, reduces the manifestations of osteochondrosis, sciatica and rheumatism.
• Lavender fights burns, improves the condition of the skin and hair, helps relieve fatigue and sleep problems, and normalizes the activity of the nervous system.
• Marjoram is effective for colds, weakened immunity, migraines and malfunctions of the musculoskeletal system.

This is not a complete list of all the components from which essential oils are made, which have both a cosmetic and therapeutic effect.Having an idea of ​​​​what and in what cases you need to take, you can protect yourself from undesirable consequences.

How to choose a humidifier for aromatization

Only certain types of humidifiers are suitable for aromatizing the air.

The nuances of water preparation for the tank

Absolutely for all models of humidifiers, the rule works: the better the water is, the longer and better the device will work.

Steamers can be filled with tap water, but filtered. If it is not cleaned first, a residue will form, which adversely affects the operation of the device.

From a domestic point of view, models that are capricious of water quality are problematic in maintenance, but they also work more efficiently than unpretentious "colleagues"

The most demanding are ultrasonic.They need reverse osmosis filtered or distilled water. The exception is more expensive devices with several replaceable filters. We talked about the manufacture of distilled water at home in this material.

The hardness of the water also matters. When excessively hard water flows from the tap, it is more convenient to purchase a steam or traditional appliance.

Test strips or special kits for determining water hardness are available from aquarium stores. Parameters can also be found in Vodokanal

If you liked the ultrasonic model, the manufacturer of which recommends filling the tank only with distilled water, it is inexpensive and is sold at the nearest auto shop.

How to do it yourself at home?

Distilled water is quite possible to get at home. Of course, in terms of the quality of cleaning, it does not “hold out” to that produced on an industrial scale, but it is quite suitable for not the most “capricious” air humidifiers.

Evaporation

Ordinary tap water is used as the initial "raw material". If the house has a filter, you can first pass it through it:

1. Collect water in a wide container. Leave for at least 2-3 hours (if there is time, it is better to wait 6-8 hours) to settle without closing.

   A significant part of chlorine and hydrogen sulfide evaporates in the process, metal salts settle to the bottom (a grayish-white coating in the form of flakes remains there).

2. Half (no more) fill a large enameled pot with water without chips or other damage to the coating. You need to scoop it carefully and from above, leaving the lower third at the bottom of the first container.
3. Put a stand on the bottom (for example, one that is included in the set of utensils for a microwave oven or oven and is intended for grilling). Place a deep plate or salad bowl on it so that the container rises above the water. Close the pan with a lid, turning it over - you should get a kind of cone, pointing downwards.
4. Put the whole structure on fire.

When water boils, steam is produced. It rises, hits the lid, condenses again into water, drops fall into the plate. This is the distillate suitable for use in a humidifier.

The process of distilling water can be accelerated by putting ice in a bag on the outside of the lid. But it will need to be changed frequently.

You can also turn an ordinary kettle into a distiller:

• pour water into it, put on the stove;
• 3-5 minutes before boiling, put a rubber hose on the spout, lower the other end into any deep container in a basin filled with cold water or ice.

It is easy to check the quality of the distillate obtained at home, knowing that water purified from mineral and organic impurities does not conduct current. If you take a light bulb with a cartridge and a wire, clean its edges by 1-2 cm, lower it into a container with distillate and plug in the plug, it will not light up.

Freezing

This method of removing impurities from H2O has long been proven to be effective:

1. Let the water settle, as in the previous method.
2. Pour it into a transparent plastic bottle, making sure that the sediment formed at the bottom does not get inside. Fill the container completely.
3. Put the bottle in the freezer, periodically check its condition. The water should freeze almost completely, only a little will remain in the center.
4. After breaking through the wall of the bottle, drain it. Defrost the remaining ice in a natural way at a temperature not exceeding 25ºС.

Using a distiller

This home-made design is almost a complete analogue of a moonshine still.

The unit consists of:

• a sealed container with a hole on the lid - for example, an old broken steamer or double boiler with a valve is suitable (water will evaporate from it);
• thin-walled metal tube about 2 m long and about 5 mm in diameter;
• any container for cooling condensate;
• piece of hose to connect.

To assemble a "distiller", a metal tube twisted into a spiral must be placed vertically in a container from which water will evaporate. A rubber hose is put on its end remaining outside, the end of which is lowered into the second container.

All joints must be securely sealed using clamps, plastic cable ties, pieces of wire. But at the same time, the whole structure should not be completely clogged, otherwise it will simply explode.

To start the distillation process, water must be poured into a container with a metal spiral and boiled, and the one into which the end of the hose is lowered must be constantly cooled. Reliable sealing ensures minimal steam loss, as a result - the speed of the water distillation process.

Humidifier

This is a unit that, by evaporation, saturates the surrounding atmosphere with moisture and gives us the ability to breathe deeply, inhaling clean and healthy air.

But there is no limit to perfection. And now, in some models of humidifiers, a new function has appeared - inhalation or aromatization.

A humidifier with an aromatization function is a unit that humidifies the environment and fills the room with useful phytoncides.

Most often, this option is available for steam humidifiers, in some ultrasonic ones with a heating function, because aromas spread with hot air many times faster. But there is such a function in traditional appliances, in air washers. Sometimes it is recommended to pour hot (60-70°C) water into the apparatus and add aromatics.

It is very simple to do all this: the container is filled with water, flavoring is added, we plug the device into the network, set the desired speed and enjoy the atmosphere.

Can be added to a humidifier essential oils, an extract or a decoction of herbs, and a delightful and healthy aroma will be fragrant in your room, which will not only please the sense of smell, but also work wonders with well-being and health.

Properties of aromatic additives

Aromatherapy is good for health

Even in ancient Egypt and in eastern countries, aromatherapy was successfully used for the treatment and prevention of various ailments. Even Hippocrates and Avicenna argued that with the help of essential oils, various diseases can be overcome.

And now it has been proven that aromatic oils have very useful properties, for example:

1. Helps improve brain function and memory.
2. Contribute to the improvement of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
3. Improve immunity and body resistance to infections.
4. Improve well-being and sleep.
5. Prevent aging.
6. Restore psycho-emotional balance.

It would seem that everything is clear, but there are questions, for example: is it possible to add essential oils to an air humidifier for allergies? The answer to this question cannot be unambiguous, it is best to consult your doctor before using aromatic oil. He knows about your health and will always advise what you can and what you should avoid.

For allergies, aromatherapy is even recommended, for example, these oils:

• tea tree;
• lavender;
• chamomile;
• bergamot;
• rose oil.

The advice of a doctor will always be useful and relevant, because each person is individual and reacts differently to different substances.

Important: aromatherapy is not recommended at elevated body temperature and children under one year old. All essential oils have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties. Many affect the functioning of internal organs and systems, they are soothing, strengthening, harmonizing, stimulating and even an aphrodisiac.

Many affect the functioning of internal organs and systems, they are soothing, strengthening, harmonizing, stimulating and even an aphrodisiac.

All essential oils have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties. Many affect the work of internal organs and systems, they are soothing, strengthening, harmonizing, stimulating and even an aphrodisiac.

They can even be mixed, blended. Only it is desirable not just to mix them, but to drip onto the water in different places. You need to choose what you like, use different flavors to your taste and do not exceed the dosage. Exceeding the dosage may cause headaches.

Tip: Approximately 3m2 of living space, you can add 1 drop of essential oil.

What can be a combination of flavors?

The most commonly used combinations are:

• For colds: fir, eucalyptus, tea tree, sage.
• Headaches: lavender, lemon, mint, geranium.
• For well-being: pine, ginger, fir, mint.
• For concentration: pine, orange, spruce, frankincense.
• For sleep disorders: chamomile, frankincense, sandalwood.

There can be many different combinations. Create your own blends, listen to your feelings and aromatherapy will bring you not only benefits, but also a lot of pleasant sensations.

There is only one answer to the question of whether it is possible to add oils to a humidifier - it is recommended to read the instructions for use. If the device does not have an aromatization function, you cannot add essential oils to the water.

Follow the recommendations and instructions prescribed in the instructions, aromas and incense will fill your home with peace, harmony, warmth and comfort, creating a unique and favorable atmosphere.

Why is air humidity important?

Humidity is one of the key characteristics of indoor air quality. According to sanitary standards, the acceptable level of relative humidity in the room in the warm season is 30-60%, in the cold - 30-45%.

For children, doctors recommend raising this value to 50-60%, since a young developing organism is more sensitive to air parameters. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the pros and cons of using a humidifier for a child.

To measure humidity indicators, a special device is used - a hygrometer.However, it is not entirely advisable to purchase it for home use. A much more profitable purchase would be a wireless weather station, which, in addition to air temperature and atmospheric pressure, also shows the level of relative humidity. Advanced models display information not only about weather conditions outside the home, but also analyze the microclimate in the room itself

The level of humidity in the air is quite clearly reflected in the state of the body:

1. Excessively dry air becomes a companion of prolonged respiratory diseases - an exhausted mucous surface cannot withstand a viral or bacterial infection. Therefore, the recovery process is delayed, and unwanted symptoms in the form of a runny nose and cough appear even brighter.
2. Low humidity makes breathing difficult. Due to the lack of oxygen, dizziness and other ailments can occur. It is extremely difficult to concentrate on work in such an atmosphere.
3. Skin and hair are the first to suffer from dry air, losing their own moisture. The surface of the eyes also dries out, which makes the person feel uncomfortable.

Additionally, dry air can cause damage to wooden furniture, various finishing materials, musical instruments, and adversely affect indoor plants. During intensive operation of heating devices, the humidity level drops to at least 20%. To avoid these problems, you need to buy a suitable humidifier model and fill it with high-quality water.

Popular fragrances and their impact

Choose fragrances according to your mood, personal preferences or ailments. The most popular aroma oils for a humidifier:

• • Lemon oil increases efficiency, enhances concentration, invigorates and refreshes. Indispensable in the cold season, effectively fights bacteria.
  • Sweet orange oil is a natural relaxant. Calms the nerves, stimulates the brain and improves breathing.
  • Bergamot oil fights depression, boosts immunity and improves mood.
  • Eucalyptus oil protects against bacteria and viruses. Saturated with phytoncides, has a regenerating effect, tones and improves breathing. Useful for those suffering from asthma or chronic rhinitis.
  • Basil oil helps to focus, fights migraine attacks and spasms, and reduces nervous tension.
  • Peppermint oil helps to concentrate, invigorates, restores and relieves nausea. Useful for people experiencing constant overload. Improves the atmosphere and reduces the activity of viruses.
  • Lavender oil eliminates chronic insomnia, calms, relieves anxiety and sets in a positive way. Useful for people who are obese or on a diet. The bitter aroma reduces hunger and improves digestion.
  • Cinnamon oil provides a calming atmosphere, soothes, quenches conflicts and prevents skin diseases.
  • Sandalwood oil contributes to complete relaxation and the development of sensuality. Helps to fall asleep and is useful for constant nervous overload.

In addition to mono-oils, ready-made or self-mixed compositions are used in everyday life. Use a pipette to accurately dose the proportion. Store oil mixtures in dark glass bottles with tight stoppers.

The most successful compositions:

• • • lemon + orange + mint;
    • pine + rosemary + sandalwood;
    • lavender + rose + petitgrain;
    • ylang + sandalwood + grapefruit.

Aroma oils for a humidifier create a relaxing, invigorating or romantic atmosphere of coziness and comfort in the house. Aromatherapy affects the mood and well-being, turning the house into a fortress for relaxation of body and soul.

It is known that the humidifier relieves the room of dry air. Low humidity levels are harmful not only to humans, but also to houseplants and animals. The device refreshes the atmosphere, creates a feeling of cleanliness. Modern models can be used not only as a humidifier, but also as a prophylactic against diseases. To do this, oils, salts and other components are added to the device. How justified is this use? What can be added to a humidifier?

Essential oils or saline?

Sometimes various substances are added to the humidifier, for example, aromatic essential oils. They create a pleasant light aroma and improve the microclimate in the room. Such additives to the humidifier well strengthen the immune system, relax, relieve headaches, and soothe. However, before using, you need to read the instructions - not all moisturizers are suitable for supplements.

It is allowed to add salt to the air humidifier - you get a pleasant sea atmosphere. However, you should be careful with this component. Otherwise, the device may be seriously damaged. Salt may crystallize in some places or settle. If the instructions say "Use only clean water", then any additives are prohibited.

Wishing to warn residents from diseases, some users add saline to a humidifier. It will help to cope with a runny nose and moisturize the nasal mucosa. Saline helps to get well-moistened air.However, not all types of humidifier have the possibility of such an additive. Disc models can quickly break down when adding saline, as all the salt will settle on the discs, and not evaporate.

What do you need to know?

The components in the humidifier can be different, it is most preferable to add essential oils. They have various beneficial properties, thanks to which you can get rid of certain diseases, improve well-being, strengthen the body. But it is worth remembering: it is undesirable to add essential oils if there are children under 3 years old in the room. If you use oils, you should clean your humidifier more often.

You need to be careful with different additives, and before using, read the instructions for the humidifier itself. You should not experiment, such amateur performance will not lead to good. However, if the humidifier provides the possibility of various additives, you can get a good fresh atmosphere that will heal and strengthen the body.