I've been a fan of aromatherapy for several years now, so when my little boy started getting a snuffly nose and having trouble breathing, I immediately grabbed my burner and bottle of camphor oil.
Unfortunately, while that did the trick during the day, I couldn't use it at night, and where ... Read review
Advantages: Can be used anywhere, especially good for kids Disadvantages: None that I can think of
I've been a fan of aromatherapy for several years now, so when my little boy started getting a snuffly nose and having trouble breathing, I immediately grabbed my burner and bottle of camphor oil.
Unfortunately, while that did the trick during the day, I couldn't use it at night, and where I would simply put a few drops of oil on a pad in my pillow for me, I couldn't do that with him.
So, I went looking for an electric ... ...what I found.
There are several different ones available, I chose this one because it can be battery operated or mains operated, and said it was whisper quiet when running. It also specifically said 'Use overnight in a child's bedroom'
What you get in the box are the mouse, a mains adapter and five refill pads.
To work it, you simply plug it in using the adapter, or fit it with four AA batteries (not included). ... more
I've been a fan of aromatherapy for several years now, so when my little boy started getting a snuffly nose and having trouble breathing, I immediately grabbed my burner and bottle of camphor oil.
Unfortunately, while that did the trick during the day, I couldn't use it at night, and where I would simply put a few drops of oil on a pad in my pillow for me, I couldn't do that with him.
So, I went looking for an electric diffuser that I could use at night, and this is what I found.
There are several different ones available, I chose this one because it can be battery operated or mains operated, and said it was whisper quiet when running. It also specifically said 'Use overnight in a child's bedroom'
What you get in the box are the mouse, a mains adapter and five refill pads.
To work it, you simply plug it in using the adapter, or fit it with four AA batteries (not included). Then you slide out the refill tray on the top, pop a pad into the tray and put a few drops of oil onto the pad (about 10 drops is recommended*). Then you slide the tray back into the mouse and switch it on. It usually takes less than a minute for you to notice the first whiff of oils about the room, much faster than a traditional burner.
The mouse contains a small powerful fan and it works by fanning the air over the pad with the oils on, thus diffusing the scent around the room.
The refill pads are reusable until they harden. I've been using one pad per oil or combination of oils. For example I have one with Camphor and Lavender for when my boy is snuffly, and one with just Lavender for when he's restless. In order to help stop each pad going crusty when it's not in use, I've been keeping them in a small Ziploc bag. So far, they haven't dried out, but then I haven't had it for long.
I position mine on the floor about a foot back from the head of my boy's cot, so the aromas get fanned up and over the cot where he's sleeping, and I have to say it's really helped. His breathing's been a lot better and he's slept better since I started using it.
The fan is very quiet. It can sound a little loud in a dark room at night (as most things do) but it's not an intrusive noise and it certainly doesn't keep my boy or me awake. It's about the equivalent of one of those mini hand-held personal fans.
I got mine from thinknatural.com and it cost me £19.99. You can also buy additional packs of refill pads, 10 to a pack, for £2.50.
I'd recommend this to anyone who likes aromatherapy and wants to use it where they won't, or can't, use a traditional candle operated burner.
* If you're using it regularly (say every night) and using the same pad and oil every time, then it's not necessary to load it up with 10 drops of oil every night. I've found that adding two or three drops each night is plenty.