Thanks to its calming effects, Melissa essential oil is recommended in cases of mood disorders. It also relieves stomach cramps. Its fresh and lemony smell ranks it among the essential oils that are particularly pleasant to diffuse. Latin name: Melissa officinalis L. Distilled part: aerial parts
This article was updated on 20/04/2023Precautions for use
Vigilance! The use of Melissa essential oil has restrictions. Her inhalation is prohibited and any skin application should only be done after dilution in vegetable oil, due to its dermocausticity. Use in pregnant women and babies is only possible by diffusion. For children under 6 years old, diffusion is also authorized, adding highly diluted skin application.
Authorized users
Possible ways of use
Risks of use
Other precautions
Medical advice
Be sure to seek medical advice before use for people with asthma.
Skin application
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Be sure to dilute this essential oil to 10% in a vegetable oil before any application (10% essential oil in 90% vegetable oil).
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For children over 3 years old, skin application is possible, highly diluted.
In broadcast
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Diffusion use is possible for pregnant women and children over 3 months.
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For very sensitive people, lemon balm essential oil can be irritating to the mucous membranes and cause tears or coughing.
Allergenic components
Melissa essential oil has a high dose of allergenic biochemical components:
- citral (geranial + neral) (35 to 75%)
- geraniol (≤ 5%)
- citronellol (≤ 1.5%)
- linalool (≤ 1.5%)
- limonene (≤ 1%)
- eugenol (≤ 0.05%)
Note: It is preferable to test the essential oil before using it (dilute a drop of essential oil in a little vegetable oil and apply it to the crook of the elbow. Wait at least 24 hours to check that it is there is no reaction).
Properties of Melissa essential oil
Melissa essential oil is highly concentrated in citral, beta carophyllene, citronellal and germacrene. These different molecules give it the following main properties:
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anti-inflammatory ++++ :
melissa essential oil contains terpene aldehydes and sesquiterpenes which modulate the body's response to an attack (inflammation) and calms sensations of heat and the resulting redness.
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hypotensive +++ (germacrene D, β-caryophyllene):
the beta caryophyllene and germacrene D contained in this essential oil help to lower blood pressure and thus reduce the risks for the body associated with too high blood pressure.
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calming, sedative +++ :
the terpene aldehydes and sesquiterpenes of Melissa essential oil have a relaxing action on the nervous system. They reduce anxiety states and promote sleep.
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antispasmodic ++ :
terpene aldehydes and sesquiterpenes help calm digestive or respiratory spasms, for example avoiding involuntary muscle contractions.
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intestinal antiparasitic + (citral):
the citrals contained in Melissa essential oil prevent the development of intestinal parasites.
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carminative, stomachic + :
this essential oil promotes the normal functioning of the stomach and the expulsion of intestinal gas.
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choleretic, litholytic + :
this essential oil contains molecules with the ability to dissolve gallstones and promote the production of bile by the liver.
But also these secondary properties:
- heart tonic
- emmenagogue
- stimulating
Against the Mood disorders
Efficiency: ++++
Simple use
Reserved for ages 6+.
- Orally, 1 pure drop of Melissa on a neutral tablet to let melt in the mouth.
- Through the skin, dilute 1 drop of Melissa in 9 drops of vegetable oil and apply along the spine and on the solar plexus.
Use in synergy
Reserved over 6 years old. Orally, put the mixture on a neutral tablet at meal time, repeat 2 to 4 times during the day.
- 1 drop of lemon balm essential oil
- 1 drop of lavender essential oil
- 1 drop of spearmint essential oil
Source: Zahalka, JP. (2017), Comprehensive Dictionary of Aromatherapy. Editions du Dauphin.
In case of Stomach cramps
Efficiency: ++++
Simple use
Reserved for ages 6+.
- Orally, 1 pure drop of Melissa on a neutral tablet to melt in the mouth for better diffusion during the attack.
- Through the skin, dilute 1 drop of Melissa in 9 drops of vegetable oil and apply to the stomach.
In case of Palpitations, Hypertension
Efficiency: +++
Simple use
From 3 months. In broadcast, add the number of drops indicated on the instructions for your lemon essential oil diffuser and diffuse over a period of approximately 30 minutes
Melissa or Complete Ylang Ylang?
Melissa essential oil is effective in cases of hypertension thanks to its hypotensive properties. But if you have essential oil Ylang-ylang complete, it will be even more effective. Cutaneously, 1 drop of Ylang Ylang essential oil on the inside of your wrists, then take deep breaths, as soon as you feel the need (medical advice necessary for long-term use).
Against the Stress
Efficiency: +++
Simple use
Reserved for ages 6+. Through the skin, dilute 1 drop of Melissa in 9 drops of vegetable oil and apply to the solar plexus and the inside of the wrists.
Melissa or Petit Grain Bigarade?
Melissa essential oil is effective against stress thanks to its calming properties. But the essential oil of Petit grain bigarade will be even more effective. Inhaled, 1 pure drop on the wrists to inhale deeply, 3 times a day, until improvement. Take a one-week break after three weeks of use. When diffusing, pour the number of drops indicated on the instructions and diffuse in periods of 30 minutes maximum.
Against the Sleep problems, Insomnia
Efficiency: +++
Simple use
Reserved for ages 6+.
- Orally, 1 pure drop of Melissa on a neutral tablet to let melt in the mouth for better diffusion, in the evening before bed.
- Through the skin, dilute 1 drop of Melissa in 9 drops of vegetable oil and apply to the spine and solar plexus.
Melissa or Roman Chamomile?
Melissa essential oil is effective against sleep disorders and insomnia, but that of Roman chamomile is even better. Diffusion for example, 10 minutes before bedtime or cutaneously, 1 drop diluted in 4 drops of vegetable oil, massaged on the solar plexus and/or the soles of the feet.
Other famous applications of Melissa
Melissa essential oil is used on many occasions, particularly linked to its hypotensive, calming but also litholytic, stomachic and antipasmodic properties. For the majority ofthe following uses it will be effective, but without necessarily being the best essential oil. We therefore indicate to you the best replacement for Melissa for the following different problems.
Cholelithiasis
Melissa essential oil useful, but …it is better to use greenland Ledon essential oil in case of cholelithiasis: cutaneous route, 1 drop in 4 drops of vegetable oil, to apply to the kidney, 2 to 3 times a day.
Food poisoning
Melissa essential oil can be helpful, but… it is better to use lovage essential oil in case of food poisoning: oral route, 2 drops on a neutral tablet, 3 times a day for 5 days.
Nausea, Vomiting, Motion sickness
Lemon balm can be effective, but …it is better to use peppermint essential oil, orally: 1 pure drop under the tongue or inhaled, breathe directly from the bottle, as soon as necessary.
Hepatobiliary insufficiency
Lemon balm is effective, but... it is better to use rosemary Verbenone essential oil in case of hepato-biliary insufficiency: orally, dilute 1 drop in a teaspoon of honey and let it melt in the mouth, 3 times a day, for a maximum of 7 days.
How to recognize a good Melissa essential oil?
Botanical characteristics
- Latin Name: Melissa officinalis L.
- Botanical family: Lamiaceae
- Part used: aerial parts
- Country of origin: South Africa.
Physical characteristics
- Density at 20°C: 0.850 to 0.910
- Refractive index at 20°C: 1,480 to 1,495
- Rotational power at 20°C: -15 to -5
- Flash point: 80
Organoleptic characteristics
- Appearance: liquid
- Color: pale yellow to orange
- Odor: fresh, herbaceous, lemony.
Biochemical characteristics
- citral: 35 to 75%
- β-caryophyllene: 2 to 23%
- citronellal: 2 to 15%
- germacrene D: ≤ 12%
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Bibliography
Publication: Miraj, S., Azizi, N., & Kiani, S. (2016). A review of chemical components and pharmacological effects of Melissa officinalis L.. Scholars Research Library, 8(6), 229–237.
Publication: Abdellatif, F., Boudjella, H., Zitouni, A., & Hassani, A. (2014). Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil from leaves of Algerian Melissa officinalis L.. EXCLI Journal, 13, 772–781.
Publication: Bounihi, A., Hajjaj, G., Alnamer, R., Cherrah, Y., & Zellou, A. (2013). In Vivo Potential Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Melissa officinalis L. Essential Oil. Advances in Pharmacological Sciences, 2013, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/101759
Publication: Shakeri, A., Sahebkar, A., & Javadi, B. (2016). Melissa officinalis L. – A review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 188, 204–228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2016.05.010
Publication: Sadraei, H., Ghannadi, A., & Malekshahi, K. (2003). Relaxing effect of essential oil of Melissa officinalis and citral on rat ileum contractions. Fitoterapia, 74(5), 445–452. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0367-326x(03)00109-6
Work : Falcon, M. (2017). Treatise on scientific and medical aromatherapy: Essential oils, foundations and prescription aids (3rd ed). Blood of the Earth.
Work : Franchomme, P., Jollois, R., & Pénoël, D. (1990). Aromatherapy exactly: encyclopedia of the therapeutic use of essential oils: foundations, demonstration, illustration and applications of a natural medical science. France: R. Jollo
Work : de la Charie, T. (2019). Treat yourself with essential oils. Why and how does it work? Editions du Rocher.
Work : Zahalka, J. (2017). Complete Aromatherapy Dictionary. Editions du Dauphin.
About these tips
This aromatherapy article was written by Théophane de la Charie, author of the book “Treat yourself with essential oils”, accompanied by a multidisciplinary team made up of pharmacists, biochemists and agronomists.
La Compagnie des Sens and its teams do not encourage self-medication. The information and advice provided comes from a reference bibliographic database (books, scientific publications, etc.). They are given for information purposes, or to suggest avenues for reflection: they should in no case replace a diagnosis, consultation or medical follow-up, and cannot engage the liability of the Compagnie des Sens.