Melissa Essential Oil Recipes
About Melissa Essential Oil
Melissa is one of those essential oils that tend to fly under the radar; it’s sweet and modest and sometimes referred to as Sweet or Common oil. Melissa is distilled from the leaves of the lemon balm plant, and like the herb, has a subtle lemony scent. Because the levels of essential oil found in the plant are low, it takes a larger than normal amount of plant material to produce comparable amounts of essential oil to other plants. This is why Melissa is one of the more expensive oils on the market. When purchasing Melissa, make sure you’re getting the real thing. If a supplier offers Melissa essential oil at an unusually low price, it’s most likely been cut with a less expensive oil, like lemon, citronella, or lemongrass.
Uses for Melissa Essential Oil
Melissa is a powerful essential oil, used to help with symptoms of depression, colds and viruses, nervous disorders, and symptoms of PMS and menopause. It has sedative and antispasmodic properties and has been used to help alleviate anxiety, anger, aggression and irritability in those who suffer from Alzheimer’s or dementia. One study found that using a topical application of Melissa oil diluted in a carrier helped decrease agitation in Alzheimer’s patients compared to those given a placebo. (http://apt.rcpsych.org/content/10/4/296.full)
The same sedative properties makes it a wonderful choice for hormonal issues: menstrual cramps, irregular periods, extreme fatigue due to periods and menopause, irritability and depression. As someone who is in the throes of peri-menopause, I can’t think of anything more relaxing or helpful than soaking in a hot bath with a few drops of Melissa oil added to the bath water.
Melissa Essential Oil Recipes
Ease the Blues Blend
This powerful blend is easy to make and can be really helpful when you're feeling low, stuck and indecisive. Mix 3 drops Melissa, 3 drops Peppermint, and 3 drops Bergamot. Either diffuse into the air, add to a tablespoon of carrier oil or lotion (for massage), or use in a bath.
Melissa for Cold Sores
The antiviral attributes of Melissa make it a great treatment for cold sores due to Herpes I and II. A few drops of Melissa suspended in St. John’s Wart oil, which has some antiviral attributes of its own, applied directly to the cold sore will curtail and might even prevent the outbreak.
A lip balm infused with Melissa is another preventative measure for cold sores.
3 tablespoons beeswax
2 tablespoons coconut oil or shea butter
¼ cup sweet almond oil
15 drops Melissa oil.
Heat the beeswax and coconut or shea until it becomes liquid; mix well with the almond oil and the Melissa. Pour into a flat metal container or other non-plastic container with a lid. Let it cool to become solid.
Historically, Melissa was a main ingredient in the famous Carmelite Water, created by medieval Carmelite nuns to treat nervousness and headaches. Along the way Carmelite water was found to enhance the complexion, probably due to the main ingredient: Melissa. On a spiritual level, Melissa physically calms and soothes while producing a feeling of joyfulness and revitalization.
I think the nuns were onto something.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational purposes only, and not intended to treat, prescribe, cure, or diagnose any disease or condition. This information is not intended as a substitute for consulting with your physician or other health care provider. Dreaming Earth Botanicals is not responsible for any adverse effects resulting from the use of any of the suggestions, preparations, or procedures discussed. All matters pertaining to your physical health should be supervised by a health care professional. Keep all aromatherapy products out of reach of children.