Oil Spotlight // 25+ Uses and Benefits of Melissa Essential Oil

So, if you’ve been around here for any length of time now, you know that essential oils are seeping their way into all the corners and crevices of our lives. I’ve been a long time user (years!), but I’m loving that there is so much information more easily available now. I’m continually blown away by the natural healing properties available to us with essential oils! That’s not to say that we shouldn’t be careful and knowledgeable in our use of them… natural doesn’t always mean safe, and practicing safe usage of these ancient healing methods is key! With that said, I love digging in and learning about different oils and their properties and uses… and what’s really fun is sharing what I learn with you!

This month I’ve been studying up on Melissa Essential Oil (or Lemon Balm by it’s common name) which has a slightly lemon, herby scent to it, though it’s actually a part of the mint family. It does come with a little higher price tag, which is one of the reasons this oil intrigued me… I wanted to find out why. The price is a direct result of needing 3.5 to 7.5 tons of plant material to produce 1 pound of essential oil. Many times, when this oil is offered at exceptionally low prices it’s altered or actually turns out to be a mix of Lemongrass and Citronella instead of true Melissa Oil which has a long list of highly effective uses. It is also regarded to be one of the most powerfully medicinal essential oils in all of aromatherapy. So there’s that. 

“The way in which melissa oil combines an excellent antiviral component with a soothing but pervasive sedative power is difficult to imagine; it has to be experienced. In its complexity, power, and gentleness, Melissa Oil perfectly illustrates how nature time after time works better than one-dimensional synthetic medicines.”

Kurt Schnaubelt in Advanced Aromatherapy

So let’s take a closer look at many of the great benefits and ways to use Melissa Essential Oil (many of these uses found on Aromatic Science, PubMed.gov, Sustainable Baby Steps, and more). Enjoy using these ideas in your daily life for so many different reasons, and find what works best for you!

25 USES & BENEFITS OF THE MELISSA ESSENTIAL OIL

Allergies
Add 1 drop of Melissa essential oil with 1 drop Lavender and 1 drop Peppermint to several ounces of water, swish around in the mouth and swallow (only if using a brand suitable for internal use). Or apply this formula to the bottom of your feet.

Anxiety
Melissa essential oil is a mild sedative in small doses and believed to calm anxiety.  Place a drop in your palm, rub between your hands, cup over your nose and mouth and breathe slowly for up to 30 seconds or more.

Bacterial Infections
If possible, apply 1 drop over the infected area or massage on the foot reflex points. 

Bronchitis
Massage 1 drop onto the throat and chest up to 3x a day, or work into the reflex points of the feet. 

Calming
Place a drop of Melissa in your palms, rub between your hands, cup over your nose and mouth and breathe slowly for up to 30 seconds or more. 

Cold
Massage 1-2 drops onto the feet or over any symptomatic area. 

Cold Sores
Such a great use for Melissa essential oil! Dab a small amount directly on the area as soon as you feel a cold sore coming on, and repeat several times throughout the day.

Coughs
Massage 1 drop into the throat and chest up to 3x a day, or work into the reflex points of the feet. 

Dementia
A recent study quoted in the Journal of Complimentary Medicine showed that Melissa essential oil is a safe and effective treatment for the management of agitation in severe dementia. Place a drop of Melissa in your palms, rub between your hands, cup over your nose and mouth and breathe slowly for up to 30 seconds or more. Do this as often as needed for aggravation.

Depression
Place a drop of Melissa essential oil in your palms, rub between your hands, cup over your nose and mouth and breathe slowly for up to 30 seconds or more. Do this daily or as desired. 

Eczema
Dilute 1 drop of Melissa essential oil with 3-4 drops of carrier oil and apply a small amount of the area 1-3 times a day.

Emotional Support
Massage 1 drop over the solar plexus and heart. It is a mild sedative in small doses, and believed to calm anxiety. 

Energy
Inhale 1 drop from the palms of your hands for a pick-me-up, or diffuse throughout the room. Alternatively, you can mix 2 drops Melissa essential oil with 4 drops Wild Orange and 1 tablespoon carrier oil to gently rub onto the bottom of your feet or wherever it feels soothing.

Flu
Massage 1-2 drops into the reflex points of the feet or over any symptomatic area. 

Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease
Dilute 1 drop of Melissa essential oil with 3-4 drops of a carrier oil and massage a small amount over any symptomatic area, or the reflex points of the feet.

Headaches and Migranes
Add 2 drops Melissa to 1 teaspoon carrier oil and apply to forehead, temples, or neck.

Herpes
Only one drop is needed on lesions to promote remission… a doctor at the Technical University of Munich reported that application on Melissa Oil caused a complete remission of Herpes Simplex lesions. Place a small amount (up to 1 drop) directly on any outbreak 3x a day, and/or use for ongoing support. 

Hopelessness
Massage 1 drop over the solar plexus, heart, or brow. Diffuse throughout the day.

Hypertension
Inhale from the bottle 3 or more times a day, or use melissa topically over any symptomatic area.

Indigestion
Mix together 4 drops Melissa, 4 drops Grapefruit, 2 drops Peppermint and 1 tablespoon carrier oil to massage onto abdomen, using clockwise strokes. 

Overwhelm
Inhale directly from the bottle, or massage 1 drop over the solar plexus, heart, or brow.

PMS
Massage onto bottom of feet or onto abdomen. You can also mix together formula 4 drops Bergamot, 4 drops Fennel, 3 drops Melissa 1 tablespoon carrier oil and add to a warm/hot bath. Relax and enjoy until the water cools.

Skin Issues
Use a single drop of the Melissa essential oil over the issue (I would recommend diluting with a carrier oil) 1-3x a day.

Stomach Issues
Melissa soothes stomach, tones it up and strengthens it. It helps heal the wounds, scratches or ulcers in the stomach, maintains proper flow of gastric juices and bile into the stomach and also protects it from infections. Use a drop over the abdomen (I would recommend diluting with a carrier oil) and massage using clockwise strokes 1-3x a day.

Stress
Place a drop of melissa oil in your palm, rub between your hands, cup over your nose and mouth, and breathe slowly for up to 30 seconds or more. Do this daily or as desired. 

Vertigo
Inhale directly from the bottle as needed, or apply a small amount over the forehead.

Viral Infections
Apply one drop of melissa essential oil over the infected area or massage onto the feet 3x a day.

Warts
Place 1 drop (or less by dabbing a q-tip on the top of your dropper bottle) directly on the wart 1-2x a day until it falls off.

It is important to note that this Melissa essential oil product should NOT be used if you have hypothyroidism because it blocks the absorption of thyroid medications and also lowers thyroid TSH levels. This can pose a danger to those who take thyroid medication for low thyroid function. It is very helpful if someone has HYPERthyroid function, however.

Please Note: Melissa Essential Oil is a mild irritant and sensitizer. Avoid using in baths or massage if you have sensitive skin. As with any essential oil use, always test for skin sensitivity prior to widespread use and use on the feet when possible. Excessive use of any oil can lead to skin sensitization. Keep out of eyes, ears, or nose.

In addition to melissa essential oil, also consider trying Eucalyptus, creating body scrubs and butters, oils for romance, making your own natural deodorant with oils, or check out how to clean and refresh your mattress.

There are many more uses for Melissa essential oil. Any favorites you’d like to share??

Happy oiling, friends!

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: None of the health topics presented on Fresh Mommy Blog have been evaluated or approved by the FDA. They should not replace personal judgment nor medical treatment when indicated, nor are they intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always talk to your naturopathic physician about the use of these or any other complimentary modalities.