Melissa

(Melissa officinalis - Lemon Balm)

This member of the Labiateae family is well known and extensively used in eastern and central Europe where it is known as ‘The Elixir of Life’. The oil, extracted by steam distillation from the above ground parts of the plant, is clear and slightly viscous with a sweet, lemony aroma.

 

Uses in Natural Skin Care:

Melissa is soothing and gentle being suitable for all skin types and is added to Wildcrafted Yellow Earth Medicine Facial Clay as a soothing hydrosol. It has been recommended to relieve allergic skin conditions and irritations.

Traditional Medicinal Uses:

The action of this oil is tonic, rather than stimulant; it is a tonic to the heart, nervous and digestive systems, and the uterus. It is sedative, calming, antidepressant. Melissa slows therespiration and pulse, lowers the blood pressure and has an antispasmodic effect on smoth muscle.

There is a strong traditional use of Melissa for conditions arising from shock and stress reactions. It is beneficial for migraine, colic and menstrual problems and is reputed to relieve asthma.

In Massage and Bath Oil blends, Melissa is uplifting and soothing, being useful to those who suffer from depression, psychosomatic illness, hypersensitivity and feelings of anxiety.

The overall effect of melissa is that of a gentle but effective general tonic, a mild 'yang' remedy. Because of its notable effect on the heart, blood pressure, nervous system, and intimately related to these, the emotions, melissa is the nearest one can find to a rejuvenator - not something which will make us young again, but which helps to cushin the effect of our mind and the world outside, on our body. Perhaps Paracelsus was not so wrong when he called it the elixir of life!