Melissa Officinalis, more commonly known as Lemon balm is a perennial herb from the mint family. The name of this valuable plant is derived from the Greek word for “Honey bee”, as the Greek used to put Melissa plants near bee hives in order to produce the most delicious honey on earth.
The essential oil which distilled from the plant — Melissa Officinalis — is considered to be one of the most powerful essential oils in the world, and it has a unique sweet herbaceous aroma as well.
Melissa Officinalis Oil has various qualities, one of which is employed in the treatment of digestive problems. Research has shown that the oil can alleviate stomach pain, as well as numerous digestive problems, such as vomiting, stomachache, etc.
That is not all, though, Melissa Officinalis Essential Oil can also be used for mental disorders, including melancholia and hysteria.
Additionally, it is widely used in aromatherapy, as it has an unparalleled calming effect.
It is believed to induce sleep and soothe anxiety symptoms. Last, but not least, the oil is used for swollen airways, high blood pressure, Alzheimer’s disease, ADHD, and even Graves’ disease.
The cost of the oil is rather high, but that is not without a reason – as much as 7.5 tons of plant material are required to produce just one pound of essential oil.
A large number of the Melissa Officinalis Essential Oil varieties sold on the market are actually a blend of lemongrass and citronella oils.
The 100 per cent pure Melissa Officinalis Essential Oil has a pale yellow colour and a fresh aroma with a delicate tone of lemon.
Our company is concerned with the wholesale of Melissa Officinalis Essential Oil. Our product is a 100 per cent natural, chemical-free, which is also CERES certified. We can assure the client that our Essential Oil does not contain any additional substances – it is distilled from Melissa plants exclusively.
What is unique about our company is that we do not simply deal in producing the oil – we own the Melissa plants comprised in our valuable oil, and we extract it ourselves, too.
Benefits of Melissa Officinalis Essential Oil
- Promotes Skin Health
Melissa Officinalis has long been used to treat acne and eczema. As the the oil has powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties, it has also been used to promote healing process of wounds.
- Treats Herpes and Other Skin Conditions
Melissa is a preferred choice in the treatment of viruses from the herpes virus family. The spread of viral infections may also be limited with the help of using the oil. Essentially, the essential oil can replace commonly used antiviral agents and that is why it is great for people who have developed a resistance to antibiotics.
- Helpful in the Treatment of Dementia And Related Ailments:
According to research, the use of Melissa Officinalis Essential Oil can be beneficial in the treatment of dementia and related illnesses, as it strengthens memory and reduces memory loss. Additionally, patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease can also benefit from using the oil, for it helps reduce agitation caused by the disease.
- Induces Sleep and Relieves Anxiety
Melissa Officinalis Oil is an outstandingly efficient sleep inducer. Thanks to its nervous tension-soothing qualities, it can be used by people suffering from insomnia and other sleep disorders caused by excessive stress.
Melissa Officinalis Essential Oil Extraction Methods
As with every other essential oil, the distillation method that is said to produce highest quality of Melissa Oil is the steam distillation method. Naturally, this is the distillation method used by our family company. Below, we will discuss this oil extraction method, as well as another popularly used method.
Steam Distillation Process
Melissa plants are placed in a large container called still, which is filled with water. Steam is then injected via an inlet through the plant material. This releases the Melissa plant’s aromatic molecules and turns them into vapour.
Vapourised aromatic molecules travel to a condenser via tubes. There, vepourised molecules are cooled and turned back into a liquid.
The scented liquid from the condenser is collected inside a receptacle that contains water, too. Since water and oil do not mix, the Melissa Essential Oil floats above the water and is then collected.
Solvent Extraction
This method utilises food grade solvents, such as ethanol and hexane to isolate oils from the plant. This extraction method is best suited for plants which yield small amounts of essential oil or whose aromas are more delicate and unable to withstand the pressure of steam distillation method.
Once the plant material undergoes a treatment with solvent, a waxy aromatic compound called concrete is produced. When this substance is mixed with alcohol, oil particles are released. Since the chemicals which have been employed in the solvent extraction method remain in the produced essential oil, the latter is mainly used in the perfume industry.
Differences between Essential Oils and Fragrance Oils
All organic essential oils are produced by plants, i.e., organic material, through complex procedures. Different essential oils have different chemicals, and as little as 50 or as much as 500 different natural chemicals may be contained in an essential oil.
Essential oils produced from natural substances have numerous amazing qualities and may be included in aromatherapy. Natural essential oils can also be applied directly on the skin or hair, depending on their qualities, and they do not cause irritation.
Perfume oils, also known as fragrant or aromatic oils, are man-made products, i.e., they are artificially produced oils which have nothing in common with essential oils, except for the fact that they mimic essential oils’ aroma.
As their name suggests, perfume oils are primarily used in the perfume industry. It should be noted that perfume oils have none of the medicinal qualities of essential oils.