MELISSA
Botanical name: Melissa officinalis

Also Known As (AKA):  Lemon Balm

Therapeutic Benefit - Mind:  Melissa is calming and uplifting. It especially helps with those in shock or hysteria, and during bereavement.

Therapeutic Benefit - Body:  Melissa is anti-fungal, antiviral, and anti-microbial. It is used to treat allergies, relieve asthmatic symptoms, painful periods, headaches, and chicken pox. Melissa is a tonic for the heart and helps with high blood pressure. It is also effective in the treatment of candida and herpes.

Therapeutic Benefit - Spirit:  Melissa opens the heart chakra and aligns the solar plexus chakra with the divine will.

Application Method:  Dilute 10 drops in 1 oz carrier oil, massage oil, or lotion and apply to skin. Use 4 drops in 2 cups of hot water for a steam.

Action Word:  Calming

Color Energy:  Green - Tonifying

Fragrance:  Floral, lemon-like, sharp, herbaceous

Note:  Middle Note

Color of Oil:  Yellow

Major Chemical Constituents:  beta-caryophyllene, citronellol, geranial, nerol

Common Adulterants:  Lemon oil, lemongrass oil

Blends well with:  Basil, Bergamot, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Frankincense, Geranium, Ginger, Jasmine, Juniper, Lavender, Lemon, Marjoram, Neroli, Rose, Rosemary, Ylang Ylang

Botany:  A perennial herb in the mint family with white flowers that grows to 18 inches tall, native to Southern Europe and the Mediterranean region.

History:  Melissa is frequently used as a flavoring in ice cream and herbal teas. It is a very costly oil due to the amount of plant material that is needed to get an ounce of oil.

Warnings:  May irritate the skin – always dilute.