Reed scent diffusers, anyone else use them?

I know this doesn't belong on this forum, but I haven't gotten any answers over on the Healthy Living forum, so I'd like to pose the question here:

I like the look of a lot of those reed diffusers, and just bought a set last week that includes the reeds, a cute holder for the oil, and a stand for it. I've never used one before. We usually use those Yankee Candle scent diffusers that plug into the wall but I wanted to try something different (with three kitties and a dog sometimes the air fragrance needs a little...adjusting). I'm just wondering, when the oil mixture is used up, how can I make my own, anybody done this before? I guess you buy a base oil, and then add your own essential oils (of which I have many; I've been into aromatherapy for quite a while). Does anyone know where to buy the base oil (besides on the Internet) or what it consists of (can you make your own)?

Strangely I know what your talking about. I think your right on adding to a base oil but I'm not sure what you would use. Baby oil or so,ething like that. Unscented of course.

Hi - I found this on the NET. here is the site

http://www.abundanthealth4u.com/Reed_Diffusers_s/138.htm

Jojoba oil: Jojoba oil helps thin the essential oils so they can more easily wick to the top of the reeds. This can be found at many craft stores that sell soap/lotion-making supplies, as well as many health stores. You will need about 1.5 ounces for this recipe. Many people also use a common perfume base, isopropyl myristate, instead of the jojoba oil in their solutions to help the oils wick better, but it can be harder to find, and is not a natural oil like the jojoba oil is.

some sites say 25 percent and others say 50/50 ratio - so maybe you have to experiment with the fragrance oil to the base oil.

Thank you missingrosie, that's a big help!!! I couldn't seem to find any info.

I have a dear, dear kitty named Rosie. Is she the kind of Rosie you're missing? Your id name made me instantly sad, I'm trying to not think about the time when I'll be missing Rosie myself. She's 12 now. We just had to put my 17 year old Dorothy kitty to sleep last week......

Thanks again for your help!!!! And have a very Happy New Year!

Thea:
My name is Dorothy another coincidence (smile)

Our Rosie (Rosalie) was a hound. A pointer. At least 99% of her! She developed a mass in her spleen. She got sick very quickly. Like your Rosie, she was 12. One evening near dusk, I was out in the soon to be finished garden - we designed it with Rosie in mind.. a noisy stream (full of frogs we hoped), and a path made from thick, large flagstones - chosen to absorb the sun and make a nice warm place for Rosie to sunbathe. Rosie was my garden companion - we would walk every evening together admiring the flowers, inspecting the woods, and cursing the deer. That evening - as usual - I was in the garden and brokenhearted. I didn't want to inflict myself on my husband who was missing her as much as I was. Rosie was very much on my mind, when a butterfly came and landed in a mud puddle right at my feet. It just stayed there - an unusually long time, and I remained very still. I am a very practical person - a medical/scientific background. No nonsense 'prove it to me' sort. But, I found myself wondering if it could be her! It was black and white just like Rosie! That butterfly rose up circled me twice (twice!) and then settled back on the ground. I remained where I was for a very long time and it got dark and it was time to fix dinner. As I let the screened door close behind me, I turned to look at the butterfly and it was gone. That happened the day before I joined DavesGarden. Rosie was on my mind. That's it. That's my tale.

Oh Dorothy, our beloved grand dog developed a hemangiosarcoma on his spleen while we were caring for him. It happened so quickly we were blindsided so I truly know how you were feeling. A friend who studied Native Americans told me signs, like your butterfly, are very real in some cultures. I would take great comfort in thinking Rosie was still in the garden.

Thea, I've been missing your post on the Butterflies forum. And have been asking about you. I sensed something out of the ordinary happened.....God love you! Dorothy, my heart go out for you and Thea. I too lost my Lily last summer, and the love of butterflies and small creatures in the garden has been such a gift. I'm thinking about you.
Kim

Thank you all. When I got home from work each day, Rosalie would circle me a few times trying to sniff out all I had gotten into during the day, so the butterfly flying straight up from from the mud puddle and circling me twice was a very powerful moment. I like to think Rosie visited that one time to say goodbye and 'all is well.' ;0)

Ardesia: Yes, that is what she had a hemangiosarcoma. She didn't appear sick until she was really pretty far along. There wasn't any intervention that could be done. I am sorry for your loss too.



This message was edited Dec 29, 2007 11:25 PM

Dorothy, what a wonderful story! I'm so glad you pushed your scientific/medical background self into the background and let your emotional self enjoy the magic and mystery of those healing moments with Rosie's butterfly. I've ALWAYS believed that when there is such a huge amount of love in your heart for an animal or person, death cannot just end it. I'm SURE that was your Rosie wanting to let you know, because she loved you so much, that she was enoying peace and beauty in another place. What better messenger than a butterfly, and wearing Rosie's colours too!!! What a wonderful experience.....
And Kim, thank you for thinking of me!!! I'm sorry about your Lily. It takes so much out of you, losing a dear pet. It's so hard to get over it and go on with normal things, you just keep missing that little creature. The week after little Dorrie went to sleep, one day I was sure I heard her little meow in another room. It took me a minute to realize she was gone, that I was hearing things.
And now we've got this little stray dog fostering with us until the shelter and Petfinder can find him a good home. I'm losing more of my heart to him every day and I'll be devastated when he leaves me! He's got to have heartworm treatment because he tested positive for it, and the shelter says it's no big deal and not to worry about him, but it's all I'm doing! Plus worrying that no home will ever be as good as ours for him, he's getting SO much love here! But hubby says no, no more animals, and he's right (I guess); losing them is getting harder and harder as I get older.
Kim, I have no more butterflies here, but I'm gearing up for spring and hoping to attract MANY!!!! Raising my black swallowtails this past summer was one of the BEST experiences I've ever had! And such a huge part of it was meeting all you great people on Dave's Garden, and learning so much.
Happy New Year everybody!!!!
Thea and foster boy Goldie

Thea;
Goldie Boy is adorable. He kinda reminds me of 'Butter' the golden retriever that we're waiting to adopt. I'm so anxious to bring Butter home. She's being fostered by a loving family who has two German Sheppards that are very dorminant, and is in needs of TLC. My other furkids are all "softies" at heart and love to play. So I thought Butter will be safe and happier here with us. Besides, I sure do need another gardener's helper. :-)

Kim

Thank you Thea.
Oh that little face has seen a lot! Maybe your husband will reconsider. If not, I am sure the adoptive family will just be nuts about him --

(the pup not your husband......but it IS worth consideration..(smile)

Don't think for a minute, Dorothy, that I haven't considered the alternative!......... This little Goldie is a keeper. My husband sometimes.......not so much........

Just kidding though!!!!!

Here's little Goldie with his morning walking group: Lucy, on the left, is our little cockapoo (another rescue), and the other two kids are neighborhood dogs. They're all waiting for a little treat after their walk.

Look at those little faces!!!!!!

LOL, about the keeper thing in relation with the DH, those darling faces are keepers. Luckily, two of them belong to neighbors. :-)