Lift your spirits and enjoy the healthful benefits of Melissa essential oil. With a lemony and floral aroma, it’s also known as Melissa Officinalis or Lemon Balm. It is steam distilled from the leaves and flowers of an herb grown in Bulgaria. 

A favorite for relaxation and skincare, Melissa oil is rich in anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. It can help soothe the body and mind while promoting overall health. 

To better understand this dynamic Lemon Balm essential oil, let’s take a deep dive into the benefits and uses of Melissa essential oil. 

Benefits Of Melissa Essential Oil

Whether used aromatically or topically, Melissa essential oil has an array of health benefits that can be easily integrated into everyday life. It’s rich with healing and restorative properties that can have an effect on mood, skin, pain and so much more. 

Melissa For Skin

Multiple studies have suggested that Melissa is an effective treatment for cold sores. Research performed in 1999 found that using Melissa could actually extend the time in between cold sore breakouts.

Also known as fever blisters, cold sores are caused by herpes virus type 1 (HSV-1) or herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and spread from person to person through close contact according to the Mayo Clinic. Unfortunately, cold sores cannot be cured but there are ways to manage outbreaks.

To use Melissa as a support for healing cold sores, dilute by combining 5 drops of Melissa and 2 tbsp of carrier oil and apply to the affected area within 24 hours of the breakout. 

In addition to cold sores, Melissa essential oil can help promote overall skin health. Its antibacterial properties can be powerful in preventing and treating acne, blackheads and other minor skin conditions. For sensitive skin, use a minimal amount.

Traditionally, Melissa has also been used to help reduce redness and irritation caused by eczema, psoriasis and insect bites. Its anti-fungal and antioxidant properties also make it effective for relieving fungal infections.

Melissa For Mental Wellness 

There are numerous essential oils that help promote relaxation and relieve symptoms of anxiety. For ages, the Melissa plant has been a holistic remedy for treating anxiety and nervous disorders. Its calming properties have shown very promising results.

Early research suggests that Melissa can help lessen feelings of anxiety such as excitability and nervousness. When stress levels are high, add Melissa to a diffuser to create a peaceful atmosphere.

Melissa For Headaches

Amazingly, the same healthful properties in Melissa oil that encourage relaxation of the mind can also have a relaxing effect on the body. In addition to helping manage stress levels, Melissa can offer headaches relief. Its soothing properties can help reduce muscle tension and minor aches.

Combined with a therapeutic massage and a carrier oil, Melissa essential oil can have a powerful effect on the body. Massage therapy can be incredibly effective at relieving headaches. The results of a 2002 study suggested that "massage therapy is effective in reducing the number of headaches per week in chronic tension headache sufferers."

Generally, Melissa can help support a healthy immune system to keep you feeling your best day-to-day.

How To Use Melissa Essential Oil

It's easy to take advantage of the therapeutic benefits of Melissa. You can apply it topically dilute with a carrier oil or add a few drops to an aromatherapy diffuser.

To apply to the skin, Melissa should be diluted at 1%-3% with a skin-loving carrier oil like Jojoba oil or Prickly Pear Seed oil. Prickly Pear Seed's high oleic acid content combats free radical damage, reducing the appearance of dark spots that can occur over time. Prickly Pear Seed is replenishing, softening, and high in linoleic acid. This makes the oil ideal for dry skin and oily skin, acne-prone skin.

Beyond skincare, Melissa is renowned for its calming effects. For helping to relieve feelings of anxiety, diffuse Melissa essential oil or dilute 3-5 drops with a carrier oil and apply it to pulse points. You can also inhale it directly from the bottle to quickly inspire calm and relaxation.

What Does Melissa Essential Oil Blend Well With?

Sweet and bright, Melissa blends well with a number of essential oils. If you're looking to add an earthy aroma to your blend, start with resins like Frankincense, Myrrh or Elemi. For a floral twist, try Geranium, Rose or Ylang Ylang. And although Melissa has a slight citrusy aroma, it complements other citruses like Tangerine and Sweet Orange.

Stress-Busting Diffuser Recipe

• 8 drops Sandalwood

• 3 drops Frankincense

• 2 drops Geranium

• 2 drops Melissa

• 1 drop Helichrysum

Sources:

1. R. Koytchev, R.G. Alken, S. Dundarov, Balm mint extract (Lo-701) for topical treatment of recurring herpes labialis,Phytomedicine,Volume 6, Issue 4,1999, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0944711399800130

2. AskMayoExpert. Cold sores (herpes simplex infection). Mayo Clinic; 2019.

3. Lemon balm. Natural Medicines. 
   https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed Feb. 13, 2018

4. Quinn, C., Chandler, C., & Moraska, A. (2002). Massage therapy and frequency of chronic tension headaches. American journal of public health, 92(10), 1657–1661. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.92.10.1657