Melissa Essential Oil
Melissa essential oil is extremely useful oil with a few different common names and is used for all kinds of health applications and for the aromatherapy potential that it has. Sweet Oil and Common Oil are just two of the names that this particular essential oil goes by, and the reason is fairly simple: it is one of the most versatile essential oils with more uses than just about any other essential oil out there. Melissa essential oil is used on cuts, bruises, bites, scratches, skin conditions and so many different external maladies, not to mention a great number of internal maladies as well.
The Basics about Melissa Essential Oil
Melissa essential oil has a great reputation and is one of the healing herbs that is in just about every alternative medicine cabinet out there. You can find Melissa in the Mediterranean, and it treats many mental and physical health conditions, from memory loss to depression. In addition, Melissa is used in many aromatherapy concoctions, sometimes mixed in with other essential oils because that is one of the ways that you can get the benefit of Melissa – and probably the most popular. It is a very sweet smelling plant with a soothing fragrance and lots of aromatherapy offices have it displayed prominently.
How is Melissa Essential Oil Manufactured?
When it comes to the manufacturing process of Melissa essential oil, there is really no difference between the way that it is manufactured and the way that most essential oils are manufactured. The process of stream distillation is used to extract the essential oils from the Melissa plant. In the case of this particular plant, the leaves and twigs, as well as the buds, of the Melissa Officinalis plant is used.
Types of Melissa Essential Oil
One thing that you want to be aware of is that Melissa essential oil is often marketed and labeled under the name Lemon Balm. This refers to the skin-healing properties of Melissa and the fact that it has a remarkable similar fragrance to lemon or lemongrass. Just make sure that the distillation process was from the Melissa officinalis plant and you will be using the correct oil.
How to Use Melissa Essential Oil
As for the ways to use Melissa essential oil, there are a number of ways that you can use it. One of the best ways is to use it topically, but you need to know what you are doing. Also, there is the financial factor with this particular essential oil because it is one of the most expensive essential oils out there – so dilution of 1 to 100 parts is not unheard of. You can use Melissa essential oil in a diffuser and breathe it in to give the healing benefits, or you can use a very tiny (or diluted) amount on acne breakouts and other skin problems. Melissa essential oil can be ingested, but only a drop or two.
Composition of Melissa Essential Oil
Here is the chemical composition of Melissa essential oil, also known as Lemon Balm:
- Trans Ocimene
- Citronellal
- Caryophyllene
- Germacrene
- Geranial
- Geranyl Acetate
- Cis Ocimene
- Octanone
- Linalool
- Beta Bourbonene
- Methyl Hepenone
- Cis Hexenol
- Octanol
- Copaene
- Alpha Humulene
- Neral
- Delta Cadinene
- Gamma Cadinene
- Geraniol
Aromatic Description of Melissa Essential Oil
As previously mentioned, Melissa essential oil has a very distinctive lemon-like scent, which is why the name Lemon Balm is often used to market the product. It is a very bright flavor and fragrance, and you feel energized when you smell it, but there is also a hint of floral that calms you and reduces anxiety.
Precautions & Side Effects of Melissa Essential Oil
When it comes to Melissa essential oil, there are several things that you’ll want to keep in mind, many of them applicable to most of the essential oils that are out there. First of all, although Melissa is non-toxic, it should only be digested in a drop or two, or diluted in a carrier oil or water, because it is very strong. In addition, it will cause irritation with sensitive skin, so make sure you test out a patch beforehand. Like all essential oils, they should never be given to children or women who are pregnant or nursing.
Attributes of Melissa Essential Oil
The properties that Melissa essential oil contains are what contribute to its healing properties. Here are some of the standard attributes for essential oils that Melissa contains.
| Attribute | X | Definition |
| analgesic | Reduces pain in muscles and joints | |
| anti-arthritic | Reduces arthritis symptoms | |
| anti-infectious | Prevents infection | |
| anti-inflammatory | Reduces inflammation | |
| antibiotic | Keeps biotic infections from developing | |
| antidepressant | X | Helps to alleviate depression |
| antiemetic | Prevents nausea and vomiting | |
| anti-galactogogue | Reduces milk supply in the body | |
| antifungal | Kills harmful fungal life forms | |
| antimicrobial | Kills microbial life forms that cause disease | |
| anti-neuralgic | Counteracts nerve pain | |
| anti-rheumatic | Counteracts pain from rheumatism | |
| antiseborrhoeic | Keeps the body from making an unhealthy amount of sebum | |
| antiseptic | Prevents growth of organisms which cause disease | |
| antispasmodic | X | Prevents spasms from occurring |
| antiviral | Kills viral agents | |
| aperient | Relieves constipation | |
| aphrodisiac | Increases sexual desires | |
| astringent | Causes skin tissue to contract – to counter lines and wrinkles | |
| bactericidal | X | Kills bacterial agents |
| carminative | X | Prevents formation of gas in the GI tract |
| cholagogue | Assists with the discharge of bile | |
| cicatrisant | Assists in the formation of healthy scar tissue | |
| circulatory | Promotes healthy circulatory system function | |
| diaphoretic | Induces perspiration | |
| decongestant | Reduces or eliminates congestions of nasal cavities | |
| deodorant | Eliminates and prevents body odor | |
| depurative | Helps to detoxify the body | |
| Digestive | Helps with the digestion of food | |
| diuretic | Removes excess water from the body | |
| expectorant | Loosens mucous and helps clear it from the body | |
| emenagogue | X | Promotes healthy menstrual discharge |
| febrifuge | X | Aids in the reduction of fever |
| hepatic | Promotes healthy liver function | |
| hypotensive | Helps to lower blood pressure | |
| Insecticide | Kills certain types of insects or pests | |
| muscle relaxant | Relaxes tight muscles and prevents muscle spasms | |
| nervine | X | Reduces anxiety and calms the nerves |
| sedative | Aids in calming or induces sleepiness | |
| stimulant | Increases physiological or nervous system activity | |
| stomachic | Aids in a healthy appetite or digestion | |
| sudorific | X | Promotes or aids in activation of sweat glands |
| tonic | X | Tones the skin or muscles |
| vermifuge | Kills parasitic worms | |
| vulnerary | Promotes rapid healing of wounds |
What is Melissa Essential Oil Primarily Used For?
There are a number of things that Melissa essential oil is primarily used for. First of all, it is an antidepressant and this is often one of the main reasons that this particular essential oil is used, because it quite potential. It helps a person feel better internally as well, bringing a warmth to both the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. It is a nerve deadener, so anxiety can be controlled as well as nerve pain problems to a certain extent (like sciatica). This is also a sedative essential oil, because it soothes you when you are exposed to it, also reducing inflammation and anxiety.
Melissa is also an antispasmodic, which can help with painful muscle spasms but can also help with nausea and vomiting as well as coughs, abdominal pain and more. However, some spasms can be very serious so do not try to treat them without talking to your doctor. This is a great essential oil for helping to remove toxins from the body. It helps to promote healthy perspiration which does exactly that, and it cleans the pores of the skin. It also helps lower blood pressure and fights against all manner of microbial life forms that can be harmful to the human body.
Recommended Combinations Involving Melissa Essential Oil
There are quite a few different essential oil combinations that you can try with Melissa essential oil. Bergamot, which is a citrus essential oil is a good one to combine it with as well as tea tree oil, oregano, thyme, wild orange, lavender and many other oils that you may want to try on your own.
The Final Word on Melissa Essential Oil
The final word on this essential oil is that you definitely want to have it on hand because you will get enormous benefit from all of the healing properties that it possesses. All you need is something to treat and you will probably have a reason to use this terrific essential oil. With all of the healing properties, it is no wonder that so many alternative medicine kits include Melissa essential oil and you should definitely be keeping it in yours. You will find many uses for it and you’ll be able to treat just about any illness that comes along.
