Name: Melissa Organic Essential Oil, Melissa Officinalis.

Obtained by : distillation of the flowering tops.

Note : head.

Origin: France

Composition: 100% pure, whole and natural.

Characterizing biochemical profile : sesquiterpenes (beta-caryophillene 20%, germacrene-D 5%); aliphatic aldehydes (geranial 20%, neral 10%).

Fragrance description: pleasant and subtle aroma, warm and lemony, pungent.

Keyword: filter.

Possible uses: food, room, cosmetic aroma. Described in Applied Aromatherapy.

Melissa is a perennial herb native to southern Europe, introduced to northern Europe by the Romans. The entire plant is fragrant, with a strong lemon odor.

The name lemon balm comes from the Greek word for bee, because it is irresistible to bees and has been cultivated for that purpose for centuries.

Melissa has been known and appreciated since ancient times. Theophrastus and Dioscorides wrote about melissophyllon (bee leaf) as emmenagogic, sedative and vulnerable. Avicenna recommended it as well as other Muslim and Arabic writers to treat melancholy and heart conditions.

Melissa's fame continues in France, as it was an ingredient in the Carmelite water, 'Eau de melisse des Carmes' distilled in Paris by monks from 1611. An early version of eau de cologne, the water was used as a digestive and antispasmodic and still finds a place in many French households.

Melissa oil is not common and is very expensive because 7 tons are needed to produce 1 kg of oil.

Dangers: The expense of producing lemon balm oil leads to counterfeiting, usually with citrus oils or lemongrass (also sometimes called lemon balm herb).

Effects of the fragrance : emotional shock and physical trauma, after serious news, as a mood booster. It mitigates strong emotions and compensates for excesses. In case of frequent panic attacks, pour a few drops of essence into the aroma diffuser, its pleasant scent has a balancing, refreshing and invigorating effect on the environment.

Use in Psycho-aromatherapy: effective against insomnia, palpitations, nervous breakdowns, panic attacks and anguish. Balancing for the psyche, it helps to understand the true nature of emotions, counteracts somatizations resulting from anxiety and depression. Mitigates the effects exerted on the psyche by external events. Excellent anti-stress. Lowers and slows breathing and pulse, eliminates nightmares, nervous breakdowns, hysteria, exasperated emotionality, memory deficit, nervous insomnia, panic attacks. Applications: environmental diffusion and inhalations. 1 drop per square meter, 2 drops in a handkerchief.**

Uses in cosmetics* : tonic waters and beauty serums, regenerating effect. Treatment of stretch marks. Refreshes and brightens the complexion. Beneficial for oily or impure skin.

Curiosity : it is a very rare oil, extremely expensive and often counterfeited.

Warnings and contraindications : non-toxic, non-irritating.

*Disclaimer: the information provided comes from the literature and is not a product attribute, has a purely informative value and cannot be construed as therapeutic properties.

** by Luca Fortuna, Naturopathic Aromatherapy