This content has been reviewed and updated on August 12, 2024.
Aromatherapy—the use of fragrant essential oils to stimulate olfactory nerves and produce a specific response within the brain—has been a wellness practice for centuries. Whether you’re trying to create a feeling of calm and relaxation before sleep, give yourself a boost of energy before a busy day, or simply clear your mind so you can focus, there’s an essential oil that can help.
But how do you get the benefits of these aromatic oils? One of the most effective options is diffusion, which spreads the scent molecules around your space. Canopy’s family of devices makes this easy with built-in aroma diffusion, allowing you to enjoy fragrance oils and clean, hydrated air.
If you’re eager to try essential oils and fragrance diffusion but not sure where to start, we have some simple suggestions on how to dive in and use a Canopy humidifier or diffuser to enhance your home environment. From how many drops of essential oil to add to a diffuser to which scents to use, this is your one-stop guide.
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are highly concentrated plant “essences” created through a process of mechanical pressing or distillation. The result is a highly concentrated plant oil with extremely valuable therapeutic properties—and pleasant scents.
Although you can enjoy the wide-ranging benefits of essential oils by ingesting them or applying them topically, aromatic use is often the easiest and safest option. Aromatherapy via diffusion allows the essential oil particles to waft through the space. When they reach your olfactory system, these particles impact both the amygdala, the emotional center of the brain, as well as the limbic system. The limbic system controls stress emotions and hormones and regulates the body’s blood pressure, breathing, and heart rate.
The effects on your amygdala and limbic system will vary depending on the essential oil you use. For example, lavender is one of the most popular choices for relaxation because the scent can help you feel calmer and breathe more deeply. Citrus aromas, like lemon and sweet orange, on the other hand, can give you a boost of energy, creativity, and positive feelings.
Getting the Most from Essential Oils With Your Canopy Humidifier & Diffuser
Diffusing essential oils in your home is easy with Canopy, thanks to our array of options. Our humidifier and diffuser devices all use the Aroma Puck which you can saturate with oil whenever you want to experience the benefits of aromatherapy. The Aroma Diffuser and Large Room Humidifier also offer the option of using a Diffusion Well, which accommodates a full bottle of your favorite scent for up to 15 days of scent.
While many aromatherapy diffusers release scent particles into the air with mist, which can introduce bacteria and other contaminants into the air, the Canopy Diffuser works differently. It uses evaporation to spread scent from an Aroma Puck or Well. It doesn’t require any water or produce smoke like a candle but produces a strong, safe, and long-lasting scent in spaces of up to 400 square feet, making it an ideal choice for introducing aromatherapy to a kids' room or play area.
Our humidifiers use the same evaporative technology to diffuse essential oils into your space, but also provide clean hydration. Whether you choose the Bedside Humidifier or Nursery Humidifier for rooms up to 500 square feet, or the Large Room humidifier for up to 1,000 square feet of hydration, Canopy humidifiers add moisture by blowing evaporated water into the air.
You can even diffuse clean aromas into small spaces with the Portable Humidifier, a smaller device that allows you to take hydration on the go. Enjoy aromatherapy anywhere with this unit, which emits an ultrafine mist and uses a fan to release cool hydration.
How Much Essential Oil Should I Use?
A very common question for the new diffuser owner is: “How many drops of essential oil should you put in a diffuser?” If you’re using a traditional diffuser that requires you to add the oil to the water, the number of drops can vary significantly depending on the amount of water in the well, your desired level of scent, and the type of oil you select.
One of Canopy’s greatest advantages is that we’ve taken the guesswork out of how many drops of essential oil to add to diffusers with the Aroma Puck. Every Aroma Kit comes with diatomite pucks, which you place on top of your device’s grate. Add two to five drops of essential oil and enjoy the boost of scent. You can revive the puck with a few extra drops of oil or change out the aroma completely with a new puck.
If you’re using the Canopy Diffuser or the Large Room Humidifier, you can use an Aroma Puck or opt for the Diffusion Well, which accommodates up to a whole bottle of oil.
Choosing the Best Oils for Your Needs
Whether you prefer to diffuse a single oil or a blend of aromas, the choice of what to use depends on your goals and the therapeutic benefits you seek. Are you looking for a way to help calm anxiety, sleep better, or manage stress? Jasmine and lavender are great choices. Does a gray, dreary day have you feeling down? Diffusing a bright blend of lemon, bergamot, or grapefruit might help you feel a bit more optimistic.
Canopy’s proprietary aroma kits are specially blended to suit every mood and need:
- Unwind is Canopy's signature scent—a blend of bergamot and tea blossom that helps you relax and refresh, giving your home a scent that’s reminiscent of a luxurious hotel or spa.
- Restore is a kit containing the cool and refreshing scents of sweet eucalyptus, honey citrus, and orchid neroli that can help you feel rejuvenated and energetic.
- Little Dreams—a favorite for both babies and grownups—contains Lull, a calming blend of vanilla and lavender to encourage sleep, and Rise, a fresh sweet orange and eucalyptus scent that supports healthy breathing.
- Rituals, a collection of aroma blends designed to support clarity, comfort, healing, and energy with scents like basil, lemon, mango, juniper, and chamomile.
- Intentions, an exclusive scent collection from Canopy president Alli Webb, encourages you to start each day with intention using aromatherapy blends that feature warm, earthy, and spicy oils like vetiver, sandalwood, and clove. This is a great combination for meditation practice.
Explore different essential oils to find the aromas and combinations that work for you. Canopy makes it easy to safely diffuse your favorite scents, so explore the family of products and combine the benefits of clean hydration with the benefits of aromatherapy.
