Melissa (Lemon balm) oil

                                                                                         

Melissa (Lemon balm) oil

Melissa oil is extracted from Melissa officinalis of the Labiatae family and is also known as Lemon balm.

This plant from the Mediterranean region grows to about 60 cm and likes soil with high iron content and has small serrated slightly hairy leaves and small white-pink flowers.

The flowers are very attractive to bees; the name 'Melissa' is the Greek word for honeybee and is also know as "lemon balm' or in Hebrew 'Bal-Smin" meaning 'Chief of oils.

Melissa oil is extracted from the fresh flowering tops, leaves and stems by steam distillation.

Melissa oil calms the nerves and has excellent qualities in fighting depression. Its sedative effect is well documented. It helps in cases of hysteria and panic and helps to slow the heartbeat, eases high blood pressure and is a tonic to the heart while regulating the menstrual cycle, also helping with period pains.

It can settle the digestive system, helps with nausea, flatulence, vomiting, dyspepsia and dysentery and has a cooling effect on fevers. It can help with headaches and migraines associated with colds.

Melissa oil has a sweet, fresh and citrus-like smell and is pale yellow in color and has a watery viscosity.

It can be used up to 60 ppm in flavor formulations, but not recommended for fragrance applications.

The chemical composition [in %] of the oil is as follows;

Neral-18-20

Geranial- 25-28

Citronellal- 12-15

Caryophyllene-Beta- 4-6

Caryophyllene oxide- 9-11

Geraniol- 4-6

Methyl heptenone- 3-5

Neryl acetate-1-2

Alpha-Terpineol-1-2

The minor components in the oil are Para-Cymene, Linalool, Nerol,
Gamma-Terpinene, Myrcene, etc.

About the author:
Prashantkumar Kudli Shrinivas has a vast industrial experience of Aroma chemicals,Essential oils,Perfumery and Flavour formulations.

E-mail: prashantkudli@yahoo.co.in


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