Melissa Essential Oil Its Uses And What It Is

The essential oil is collected from the flowers, leaves and stems via steam distillation, it is pale yellow in colour and clear in nature, with a thin or watery viscosity. The aroma itself is a middle, rising to top, note with a fresh, sweet, lemony citrus character.

The primary constituents that yield the properties of this oil are citronellal, geraniol, neral, citronellol, trans-ocimene, cis-ocimene, 3-octanone, methyl hepenone, cis-3-hexenol, 3-octanol, 1-octen-3-ol, copaene, linalool, b-bourbonene, caryophyllene, a-humulene, germacrene-D, geranial, geranyl acetate, d-cadinene, y-cadinene, nerol.

Use in dilute form. A 1% solution is advisable when using it therapeutically. In baths 3 to 4 drops is a safe limit, beyond which skin irritation and effects similar to burns can occur.

It should also be avoided during pregnancy due to its emmenagogue action.

As shown above the oil has seen good results in terms of aiding treatment of Alzheimer's disease. In general it has a very soothing effect on both the physical body, as well as the mind and emotions. In line with this it has been used to good effect with those experiencing sudden loss or bereavement. It is also beneficial in regulating the menstrual cycle, one of the times that its emmenagogue property is useful though requires its avoidance during pregnancy.

Whilst being one of the most expensive oils it is also one of the most potent. So where a few drops of an alternative may be used to achieve an effect, just a 1% solution of Melissa can bring a similar effect. Thus making it very useful and in many ways more cost effect than it first appears. The potency can lead it to cause irritation in high doses, yet when you stick to a 1% solution it becomes effective at treating very sensitive skin and allergies.

The antihistamine property is a rare one within essential oils, and leads it to be very useful for a great many people. As mentioned above when used for treating allergies it should be kept to a 1% dilution within a carrier oil, greater concentrations risk reactions which could be unpleasant. A factor which also comes into beneficial effect when treating any allergic reaction with Melissa is its nervine action which calms and soothes the mind, aiding the user in relieving stress caused by the allergy they have. The sedative action also provides benefit here.

Many of the conditions noted here have a mental and emotional connection, Lemon Balm is incredibly effective when treating such issues as it is a powerful nervine. The soothing fragrance is brings great relief to many within aromatherapy, and can be used within aroma massage, in 1% solution, to aid in even deeper relief from stress and other related issues, especially depression where the combined nervine and anti-depressant qualities provide a synergistic benefit.

Of great note are the fact that it should be used in dilute form, 1% solution to avoid adverse reactions. Also it is an emmenagogue and as such it should be avoided during pregnancy.

Those things aside, when used in dilution with a good carrier oil it provides helpful relief from a variety of difficult to treat skin issues such as asthma and eczema, allergies, many things relating to stress and anxiety, alongside aiding women to have a better regulated menstrual cycle.

When buying it be very cautious where you purchase it from, it is expensive due to its rarity, and there are various imitations which are far less effective than the real thing. You will do best in terms of all of the Melissa essential oil uses by using a quality good value product, check through here for a recommended high quality source.