Are you familiar with Melissa Essential Oil benefits? Melissa oil, aka Lemon Balm, is a rare and pricey oil that contains strong soothing properties. It has a fresh, sweet and citrus aroma that is delightful. Learn about Melissa Essential Oil Recipes, Uses and Benefits.
Melissa oil is a popular choice in aromatherapy. When using topically or aromatically, it can promote feelings of relaxation and calm nerves.
Melissa Essential Oil Facts
This treasured oil is frequently used in skincare products due to its anti-inflammatory properties on irritated skin. Historically, it was used for nervous disorders and other aliments dealing with emotions.
Only a very small amount of oil is produced during the distillation process of lemon balm, causing this oil to be high priced. Be sure to buy only from a reputable source. Only a small amount of oil is needed to enjoy its amazing properties.
Melissa has been referred to as "the elixir of life". According to essential oil expert Robert Tisserand:
"Melissa is the nearest one can find to a rejuvenator--not something which will make us young again, but which helps to cushion the effect of our mind and the world outside on our body"
| Botanical Name | Melissa officinalis |
| Botanical Family | Lamiaceae (mint) |
| Aka | Lemon Balm, Lemon Melissa, or Sweet Balm |
| Note | Top-middle |
| Aroma | Fresh, lemony, herbaceous, sweet |
| Extraction Method | Steam distilled |
| Plant Part Used | Flowers & leaves |
| Shelf Life | 2-3 years |
| Kid Safe? | No |
| Safety Concerns | Possible skin irritant |
Melissa Essential Oil Safety Precautions
Non-toxic, but may cause skin irritation in those with sensitive skin. Use in low dilution (0.9%) when applying to the skin, such as in baths or massage oils. That is about 5 drops per 1 oz of carrier oil. May interfere with diabetes medication when taken internally (which is not a recommended use).
Not a kid-friendly oil, best avoided for kids under 10 years old. Tisserand, Essential Oil Safety suggests the use be restricted to 0.5% maximum on the skin during pregnancy due to citral which could affect fetal development in high topical doses.
Main Constituents:
Geraniol, neral, germacrene D, beta-caryophyllene, citronellal. See for a complete list of constituents.
Melissa Essential Oil Blends Well With
There are many oils that Melissa blends well with:
- Geranium
- Lavender
- Rose
- Basil
- Frankincense
- Sweet orange
- Citronella
- Bergamot
- Neroli
- Ylang ylang
- Petitgrain
- Sandalwood
- Vanilla
- Tangerine
- Spikenard
- Roman Chamomile
Discover how you can use melissa essential oil in your daily routine with these tips.
Therapeutic Uses:
Insomnia, sleep disorders, indigestion, nausea, fungal infections, candida, viral skin infections, herpes, menopausal symptoms, detoxifying, nervousness, stress and anxiety-related symptoms, depression
Therapeutic Properties:
Antibacterial, antidepressant, antifungal, antiseptic, antiviral, calmative, circulatory, depurative, insect repellent, nervine, soporific, spasmolytic, stomachic
Melissa Essential Oil Benefits and Uses
Cherished by many for its health promoting benefits and use, here are some ways lemon balm oil can support you.
1. Supports a Healthy Immune System
Our immune system is responsible for keeping us healthy. Many variables can wreak havoc on it, causing it to weaken. Melissa oil can help to strengthen it. This oil is thought to have immunostimulant activity which is related to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Diffuse in a room to enjoy the powerful support. Add in other supportive oils like frankincense, patchouli, or palmarosa to create your own diffuser recipe. Learn more about diffusing essential oils.
Immune Support Bath Blend: Blend 2 drops of Melissa and 2 drops of patchouli into 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil, add in 1/4 cup of Epsom salt, and blend. Pour mixture into running bath water and swirl the water to mix in.
2. Promotes Relaxation
Melissa is frequently used to promote relaxation, reduce tension, and calm the mind and body. Its soothing properties make this essential oil the perfect choice when you need to relax and enjoy some quiet time.
Place one drop on a diffuser necklace to create a peaceful feeling, ease worry, and calm the mind. Read more about how diffuser necklaces can benefit you.
3. Reduces Nervousness and Anxiety
Have a speech, presentation, or big performance? Don't let stage fright or nerves halt your big moment. Let lemon balm oil help get you through the overwhelm.
Apply 1 drop of melissa oil to the palm of hands, rub together, cup hands over nose and inhale. Take a few deep, calming breaths this way and let the nerves melt away. This is especially useful to do during a panic attack as melissa can calm a racing heart and lower blood pressure too.
4. Uplifts Mood and Emotions
Promote emotional well being by adding melissa oil to your daily routine. Its calming and uplifting actions help to balance the emotions. It may also help to remove emotional blocks and instill a positive outlook on life.
5. Promotes Restful Sleep
Besides food, sleep gives your body the strength it needs to work and play. A sedative action makes lemon balm especially useful for nighttime. It can help you fall asleep more peacefully.
Diffuse at night or add to a nighttime cream to encourage relaxation and restful sleep. See our Peaceful Bedtime Blend recipe below.
Relaxing Bedtime Lotion: Take a 2 oz jar, fill it with unscented lotion, add 8 drops of Melissa oil and mix well. Apply to skin before bedtime. (0.6-0.7% dilution)
6. Boost and Rejuvenate Skin
Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, this oil helps calm inflamed and irritated skin. It can assist with skin problems and soothe skin conditions, like eczema. Melissa's pleasant aroma makes it a popular choice for balms and creams.
Melissa has stimulating actions on the circulation, brightening a dull complexion. It also has tightening and toning effects on the skin. Use to fight aging caused by free radical damage due to being high in antioxidants.
Give your skin a rejuvenated feeling by adding a drop to your moisturizer or face cream before applying to your face or body. Also try our Skin Rejuvenating Toner recipe, see below.
7. Assists With Cold Sores
The antibacterial and antiviral properties make melissa useful for treating acne and other skin eruptions, like cold sores. Colds sores are just blisters or sores that occur in the mouth area, they are caused by a virus infection. Melissa oil can be used topically.
Cold Sore Buster: Take a small dab of coconut oil in the palm of the hand, add 1 drop of melissa oil to it, blend together with finger and apply on the sore. Best if used at the first sign of a cold sore.
10 Melissa Essential Oil Recipes
Are you looking for a way to use lemon balm essential oil in your home? If so, there are many different ways you can incorporate it into your daily routine. Here we will explore some of the best recipes that can be used both in and out of the house. Whether it's an oil-infused bath or a calming blend to diffuse while going to sleep, these recipes have it all!
1. Insect Bite Roller Remedy |
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The calming properties of this blend make it perfect for soothing insects bites and stings, even sunburns.
Directions: Add oils to the roller bottle, fill the rest of the bottle with jojoba oil. To use, roll onto the affected area. |
2. Shoreline Stroll Diffuser Blend |
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This blend is relaxing like a nice stroll on the beach.
Directions: Add essential oils to a diffuser with recommended water. |
3. Tension Release Inhaler |
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Let the aroma melt your tension and stress away.
Directions: Add essential oils to cotton wick and insert it into the inhaler. Read more about using aromatherapy inhalers. |
4. Cooling Aloe Gel |
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The cooling action of lemon balm oil makes it a good choice for soothing fevers, heat exhaustion, or sunburns.
Directions: Add essential oils to the glass bottle, fill the rest of the bottle with aloe vera gel. Place in refrigerator for added cooling before applying. |
5. Skin Rejuvenating Toner |
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Refresh and rejuvenate your skin with this homemade toner.
Directions: Add oil to spray bottle, fill the rest of the bottle with witch hazel. Shake up and spritz onto the face as needed. |
6. Peaceful Bedtime Blend |
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Use this massage oil before bedtime to help you fall asleep faster.
Directions: Add all ingredients into the bottle and shake to blend together. To use, massage onto the chest, arms, back, and/or feet. |
7. Merry Meditation Inhaler Blend |
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This recipe is from our 10 Simple Aromatherapy Blends For Peace blog post.
Directions: Add essential oils to cotton wick and insert it into the inhaler. |
8. Merry Meditation Diffuser Blend
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Directions: Add essential oils to a diffuser with recommended water. |
9. Soothing Shingles Blend |
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This oil blend is soothing to painful outbreaks and encourages healing.
Directions: Add essential oils to the glass bottle, fill the rest of the bottle with aloe vera gel. |
10. Peaceful Blend Body Mist |
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This melissa essential oil blend allows for an enhanced sense of well-being.
Read our Peaceful Blend Body Mist tutorial for complete directions. |
Where to Buy Melissa Essential Oil?
Melissa essential oil can offer many health and wellness benefits. To obtain these benefits ensure your oil is pure and high quality without fillers or toxins added. Never mistake perfume oils or fragrance oils as essential oils.
Know the company you are purchasing from, ask questions, and ensure they are 100% pure. You will be inhaling and applying to your body, you need to be sure. Here are three brands I like:
General Essential Oil Precautions
Never use essential oils undiluted, in eyes or mucous membranes. Do not take internally unless working with a qualified practitioner. Keep out of reach from children.
Use essential oils with extreme caution on children, be sure you have researched the oil and that it is safe for use on kids. Plant Therapy clearly labels their oils "KidSafe" on the bottle if the oil can be used for children ages 2–10).
If applying an essential oil topically (on your skin), it is best practice to always perform a small patch test to an insensitive part of the body, use 1-2 drops in a teaspoon of carrier oil like jojoba oil.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, epileptic, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician. For more information on oil safety issues here.
Newbie to Oils? Read More: Essential Oils for Beginners
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