David Repasky - CPAP Advocate & Specialist
Written and edited by David Repasky. David is a CPAP Patient Advocate and Equipment Specialist who brings a unique and vital perspective to the field of sleep apnea treatment. Since his own sleep apnea diagnosis in 2017, David has been on a personal journey that has transformed into a mission to help others navigate the challenges of CPAP therapy. His firsthand experience as a CPAP user, combined with his extensive knowledge of equipment and therapy practices, allows David to offer invaluable insights and support to those embarking on their own sleep apnea treatment paths.
Our content undergoes rigorous expert review, evidence-based research, and regular updates for accuracy.
In recent years, the use of essential oils has grown significantly, as more people discover the psychological benefits that range from stress reduction to improved sleep and more energy. Essential oils are oils that come from the stems, flowers, bark, roots, leaves, or other elements of a plant. They are highly concentrated, natural oils, and aromatherapy diffuses these oils into the air so people can enjoy their benefits. For those who sleep with a CPAP machine, this has led to one specific question: can you use essential oils in CPAP machines safely? Unfortunately, benefiting from essential oils and aromatherapy becomes a bit more complicated for CPAP users. Improper use puts your health and your machine at risk. Here’s a closer look at how you can still benefit from essential oils while using your CPAP machine safely.
Is It Safe to Put Essential Oils in Your CPAP Machine?
Putting essential oils in your CPAP machine is not safe. It does not matter if you put them in the machine itself, in the hose, on the mask, in the filter, or the CPAP humidifier. A CPAP machine treats sleep apnea by using a considerable amount of air pressure to open the user’s airway. When using it, you are not just inhaling steam. The device propels air into your respiratory tract to keep your breathing steady while you sleep. According to Dr. Randy Horwitz from the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, if you add essential oils to the CPAP machine, the device could propel droplets of the oil deep into your lungs. In an interview with Dr. Andrew Weil, Dr. Horwitz warns that “even a small amount might cause lung irritation.” Due to the length of time, you may be using your CPAP machine, around six to nine hours per night, the period of exposure to the essential oils is longer, and more direct, than when used with a typical diffuser. Finally, putting essential oils in the machine risks damage to the machine itself. Only distilled water in the CPAP humidifier is allowed, anything else could damage it. Remember: essential oils are highly concentrated, use them safely to avoid adverse health risks, and it is not safe to place them directly into your CPAP machine.
Is Using Essential Oils in CPAP Machines Possible?
While you cannot place essential oils directly in the CPAP humidifier, hoses, or water, you can enjoy the fragrance and other benefits of essential oils while using your CPAP with the right products. Pur-Sleep has developed a CPAP aromatherapy system that safely works with your CPAP. Instead of placing oils directly in your machine, the Pur-Sleep system uses oil on diffuser pads to fill the air around the CPAP equipment with the fragrance. These pads sit in a tray near the air intake on your CPAP machine. As the machine draws in the air, it also draws in the aroma, without any of the oil entering the machine. Pur-Sleep’s diffuser kit provides a safe, effective option that will not put your health at risk or risk damage to your machine. If you want to enjoy the benefits of essential oils in CPAP machines, this is a safe, simple way to do so.
Benefits of Essential Oils
With the Pur-Sleep system, you can use essential oils safely for CPAP aromatherapy, but what are the benefits? According to Mayo Clinic, aromatherapy has many potential health benefits, including:
- Relief from anxiety and depression
- Improved sleep
- Improved mood
Studies have found that aromatherapy creates psychological responses that reduce stress and anxiety levels. In a study by Ohio State University, the found that “aromatherapy failed to show any improvement in immune status, wound healing, or pain control among people exposed to two scents.” However, the same study did show “that lemon (considered to be a stimulant) appeared to enhance mood.”
Getting Started with Essential Oils for Your CPAP
The CPAP Aromatherapy Basic Starter Pack from Pur-Sleep gives you everything you need to get started using essential oils with your CPAP machine safely. The starter pack includes diffusion pads, an aluminum and a paper diffuser tray stand, and 12 different sample bottles of popular essential oil scents. In the starter pack, you’ll receive six essential oil mixtures and six Air Candy scents, all of which are designed with sleep apnea patients’ needs in mind. The variety pack of scents will give you a chance to experiment to see which ones you like best. The essential oil mixtures include:
- Clear: a mixture of peppermint, lime, and lavender essential oils, which is often used to clear mild congestion and improve sleep.
- Spice: a mixture of clove, bay rum, and blood orange that provides a fresh scent.
- Peace: a mixture of lavender, marjoram sweet, and clary sage, which stimulates relaxation.
- Calm: a mixture of eucalyptus, lavender, and rosemary, with no camphor, this blend creates a natural, menthol cooling sensation.
- Fresh: a mixture of tangerine and lavender that provides a fresh, invigorating sleep.
- Deep: a mixture of lavender, sweet basil, and mint, which promotes a night of restful, relaxing sleep.
Our Air Candy essential oils include:
- Peach: our most popular flavor in customer trials!
- Dark Chocolate: satisfy chocolate cravings with this sweet fragrance.
- Strawberry: indulge in the light, fresh scent of spring with this scent.
- Bubble Gum: this reminder of childhood is simply a fun scent.
- Black Cherry: black cherry creates a soothing feeling while you sleep.
- French Vanilla: vanilla creates a relaxing state of mind.
Safe CPAP essential oil use is just one of the many benefits we offer at CPAP.com. To learn more helpful CPAP and sleep apnea information, or to receive savings on your next equipment purchase, subscribe to our newsletter today.
