Melissa Essential Oil  (Melissa officinalis) Therapeutic Grade Organic Source Also see:  • Melissa Oil, CO2     Distilled  « Essential Oil Index  « A-Z Summary Listings	From Ananda Aromatherapy, pure true Melissa essential oil steam distilled from the leaves and tops of Melissa grown in South Africa. This is the finest we've tried in quite some time ~ Bright, fresh and very potent. We use this oil ourselves in all aromatherapy applications. Very highly recommended. What makes Ananda's oils different? Learn about our conscientious selection process here...
Melissa essential oil (also known as Lemon Balm) has a great variety of possible effects. The word 'Melissa' is Greek for 'Honey Bee', Melissa having been planted near bee hives to produce the most delicious honey. Melissa oil is considered one of the most powerfully medicinal essential oils in all of aromatherapy, with a wonderfully pleasant sweet, herbaceous aroma. A great deal of oil sold as Melissa today is actually a blend of lemongrass and citronella oils - 'true' Melissa oil has its own unique aroma and properties. Melissa's high cost is a result of needing 3.5 to 7.5 tons of plant material to produce 1 pound of essential oil. The resulting oil from this sweet-smelling herb is a pale yellow liquid with a light, fresh lemony aroma. Melissa oil offered at exceptionally low prices is likely to be adulterated in some way, and will not have the medicinal properties of the true essential oil. Melissa was called the 'elixir of life' by Avincenna, the ancient Roman physician. The herb was associated particularly with nervous disorders, the heart, and emotions. Melissa was used for anxiety, melancholy, and to strengthen and revive the vital spirit. To quote Kurt Schnaubelt in Advanced Aromatherapy, "The way in which melissa oil combines an excellent antiviral component with a soothing but pervasive sedative power is difficult to imagine; it has to be experienced. In its complexity, power, and gentleness, melissa oil perfectly illustrates how nature time after time works better than one-dimensional synthetic medicines." Melissa is a strong antiviral - a doctor at the Technical University of Munich reported that application caused a complete remission of Herpes Simplex lesions. A component of Melissa oil was isolated and is sold in 'Lomaherpan' cream in Germany, though the oil can effectively used alone. While it is expensive, only one drop at a time is needed on lesions to promote remission. A drop can be applied directly on the area a few times a day to speed healing, and again when an outbreak is soon to occur - following this protocol was shown to prevent further outbreaks in a significant portion of study participants. At the same time, Melissa is very gentle on the emotions, and can bring out this quality in a individual. Melissa oil is said to be calming and uplifting, may relieve headaches, and may help balance the emotions. Results of a study published in an alternative medicine journal showed Melissa to be effective in reducing agitation, and may have significant quality-of-life effects. Further, it may help release emotional blocks and lead to an improved outlook on life. See our 'anti-viral essential oils' article for further reading.
Suggested Uses:	Diffuse or apply topically. For external application, melissa essential oil may be highly diluted, up to 1:100 in carrier oil and be very effective. Can be applied directly to herpes outbreaks, and used in a 10% dilution if this feels too strong.
Possible Actions:	Has been traditionally used for calming, sedative, anti-viral, anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, stomachic, choleretic.
Possible Indications:	Can offer support in cases of high blood pressure or hypertension, cold-sore blisters, asthma, eczema, menstrual disorders, menopause, depression, insomnia, anxiety, irritability, headaches, digestive disorders, dyspepsia, gastric spasm, dysentery, nausea.
Cautions:	Always test a small amount of essential oil first for sensitivity or allergic reaction. If pregnant or under a doctor's care, consult a physician. Dilute for external use. According to the liturature, no toxicity for Melissa is known.
Blends and Recipes:	Melissa oil mixes well with: Geranium Oil, Lavender Oil, Orange Oil and Lemon Oil. Herpes outbreaks: Try 1 part Geranium Oil, 1 part Melissa Oil, 1 part Lavender Oil, 10 parts Tea Tree Oil - apply to affected area undiluted 3 times a day; once skin dries and tightens, add mixture to 9 parts Almond Oil.
About Ananda Aromatherapy Essential Oils:	All oils from Ananda Aromatherapy are therapeutic grade, meaning they are produced to the highest quality standards possible. Our essential oils are chosen for their integrity (all chemical constituents important for aromatherapy are intact), ecological 'soundness' (most are organic or wild grown), and wonderful aromas. You may order a sample of any oil before trying larger amounts. Most samples are about .75ml; exotic oils such as Melissa, Rose, Angelica and Jasmine are only a few drops, but certainly enough to enjoy their aroma!
Disclaimer: No claims are made as to any medicinal value of this oil. The information presented here is for educational purposes of traditional uses and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases. (more...)

Sizes:
3ml	$24.83	Qty:
5ml	$37.50	Qty:
12ml	$85.14	Qty:
30ml	$193.50	Qty:
60ml	$393.39	Qty:
Sample	$4.00	Qty:

Melissa Oil and other organic essential oils from Ananda Aromatherapy