Essential Oil Database

Photo: Melissa Officinalis

Melissa

Essential Oil

Botanical Name:

Melissa Officinalis

Family Name:

Lamiaceae

Source Country:

France

Plant Parts Used:

Leaves

Extraction Method:

Steam distillation

Major Constituents:

Citronellal, caryophyllene, neral, geraniol

Botanical Description

Photo: Melissa Officinalis

Melissa Officinalis is native to Asia, and cultivated worldwide. It is a perennial plant commonly known as Lemon Balm growing up to 1 meter high. Lemon Balm leaves are green, ovate and hairy, the blue to white or yellow to rose flowers grow from the branched hairy stems.

Lemon Balm has traditionally been used as a medicinal herb and for its highly aromatic lemon scented leaves which are used as a culinary herb.

Essential oil of Lemon Balm is often known as Melissa and distilled over Citronella, Lemon or Lemongrass.

Photo: Melissa Officinalis

Fragrance

Melissa essential oil has a refreshing, pungent, lemon scent.

Melissa essential oil is a pale yellow liquid.

Melissa blends well with bergamot, geranium, lavender, neroli, sweet orange and tangerine.

Traditional Therapeutic Uses

Photo: Melissa Officinalis

Properties: antidepressant, antispasmodic, carminative, nervine, sedative.

Aids: sleep.

Alleviates: asthma, catarrh, colic, cramps, depression, dyspepsia, flatulence, headache, menstrual pains, migraine, tension.

Safety Data

Avoid use if pregnant.

Use very moderately within normal therapeutic guidelines to avoid sensitisation.

Disclaimer:

All healing uses, magical uses and metaphysical definitions are provided as a means of education, do not imply a guarantee of effect, and may not be complete or accurate. Those suffering from illness should consult with their General Practitioner in the first instance. Aromatherapy is a holistic complementary healthcare practice and should be carried out by a suitably qualified aromatherapy practitioner.

Pure, medical grade, essential oils & absolutes are for use in aromatherapy and other disciplines of natural healing; and for their fragrance. Essential oils should not be ingested, and avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Pregnant women should not self administer essential oils. Do not administer essential oils to babies. Do not apply undiluted essential oil to the skin and wash hands after use and before visiting lavatory. Do not use essential oils while in a sauna, steam room, or other humid environment; or while engaged in strenuous exercise.

Massage oil should consist of no more than 3% essential oil(s) to 97% carrier or fixed oil. Absolutes should be blended with no less than 98.5% carrier oil. When adding essential oil to bath water do not use more than 4 drops.

Store essential oils at low room temperature, in a dark place, out of the reach of children, pets and away from foodstuffs.