Chemical composition

The main chemical components are trans-ocimene, cis-ocimene, 3-octanone, methyl hepenone, cis-3-hexenol, 3-octanol, 1-octen-3-ol, copaene, citronellal, linalool, b-bourbonene, caryophyllene, a-humulene, neral, germacrene-D, geranial, geranyl acetate, d-cadinene, y-cadinene, nerol and geraniol.

Therapeutic properties 

The therapeutic properties of melissa oil are antidepressant, antispasmodic, bactericidal, carminative, cordial, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, hypotensive, nervine, sedative, stomachic, sudorific and tonic.

Uses 

Melissa oil calms the nerves and has excellent qualities in fighting depression. Its sedative effect is well documented. It helps in cases of hysteria and panic and helps to slows the heartbeat, eases high blood pressure and is a tonic to the heart while regulating the menstrual cycle, also helping with period pains.

It can settle the digestive system, helps with nausea, flatulence, vomiting, dyspepsia and dysentery and has a cooling effect on fevers. It can help with headaches and migraines associated with colds.

When treatment is started in the early stages, it can also be used as a topical treatment for cold sores (herpes simplex).

Summary

Melissa oil's great benefit lies in its ability to calm and soothe the nerves, the digestive system, the heart, painful menstrual cycles and fevers.

• Burners and vaporizers
  • In vapor therapy, melissa oil can assist with fighting depression as well as having a greatly calming effect on the mind, reducing fevers, easing headaches, and for combating nausea.
• Blended massage oil or in the bath
  • As a blended massage oil or used in the bath, melissa oil can help with fever, headaches, depression, feeling jittery and stressed-out, settle upset stomachs and fighting fungal infections.
• Cream or lotion
  • Although the high aldehyde content of melissa oil may cause an allergic reaction in some individuals, it is useful to fight fungal infections, checking the blood flow in wounds and in some quarters it is also used to counteract baldness and hair loss.

Melissa oil blends well with

Although essential oils blend well with one another, Melissa oil blends particularly well with basil, Roman chamomile, rose, geranium, frankincense, lavenderand ylang-ylang.

Precautions

Melissa oil is non-toxic but could cause sensitization and irritation and should always be used in low dilutions. For this reason it should be avoided during pregnancy and by people with a very sensitive skin.