One of the reasons aromatherapy has been growing in popularity is that the oils can be used in so many different ways. Good quality oils are really potent, so only a few drops is needed at a time, whether it’s to clear the air of bad smells or indulging in a luxurious aromatherapy bath oil. Some uses for essential oils call for using them in an aromatherapy oil burner. What are they and do you have to buy a special kind?
Many store bought aromatherapy oil burners are quite inexpensive and quite small. They can usually only be used for one room. These inexpensive aromatherapy oil burners are usually made of terra cotta, another kind of pottery or glass. They look a bit like candleholders, because you do need a tea light candle to make them work.
At the top of these kinds of aromatherapy oil burners is a shallow dish or pan to place some water and a few drops of essential oil. You then place a lit tea light candle underneath the container so it heats up the water and releases the scents into the air. You need to supervise this constantly and not just because of the lit candle. If the water dries up, then the aromatherapy oil burner can crack.
Another common store bought aromatherapy oil burner is a ring with some drops of oil placed on an electric bulb. The bulb heats the oil ring, which in turn releases the scents. These can shatter, but at least they don’t need such close supervision as the water and tea light kinds of aromatherapy oil burners.
You can easily make your own aromatherapy oil burners. All you need is a shallow pan with water and a working radiator. Just sprinkles a few drops in the water-filled pan and place under the working radiator. You need to keep this pan only for aromatherapy uses, as the essential oils will get into the taste of any food you may later make in the pan.
Another way to make an aromatherapy oil burner is to use the stove and a heat resistant pan devoted to just aromatherapy purposes. Place water in the pan or pot, add a few drops of your favorite essential oils and turn the oven on to simmer. You do need to supervise this to be sure the water doesn’t boil away and ruin the pan or pot.