Adriatic Melissa Essential Oil

What makes Eastern Adriatic/Herzegovina region-grown, Melissa herb/essential oil profoundly special?

During the domestic research work on the realization of the project of introduction of Immortelle seedlings into the organic production, it was shown that the area of the town Ljubinje, i.e. Herzegovina, has better climatic and pedological (soil) conditions for growing not just Immortelle, but numerous other herbal, and plant species, as well, which results in their prominent therapeutic/healing characteristics, than Europe’s/French well-known regions of Provence, and Corsica.

The “exclusivity” of the two lastly mentioned French regions, in this context, is nothing more than a decades-long/well-financed, branded myth.

Herzegovina region, a worldwide heritage of more than 700 medicinal herbs and plants, many of which are endemic, specific/unique climatic, and soil characteristics, represents the mix of a warm Mediterranean, and cold Alpine mountains atmospheric conditions, followed by the rocky soil, rich in limestone.

It is exactly these, upper stated, Nature itself-given aspects, that are resulting in the inimitable chemotype structure of Melissa, and other essential oils, made from the herbs and plants, collected within the Herzegovina region borders. 

Pay close attention to what you are purchasing, and using, that markets as a “essential oil”, futhermore, and esspecially, as a “therapeutic-grade”, “food-grade”, “pure”, “local”, and similar!

It is not uncommon, and not a big secret, as a matter of fact, that many essential oil manufacturers, and retailers, are using shady/dishonest practices while distiling, and/or distributing their products.

These include, among other:

1. Completion of the distilation process within the period of time that is too short, and using temperatures/pressure that are/is too high/strong, at the same time, in order for the essential oil extraction process to pass properly/smoothly, and to result in a final extract/essence that possesses all of the therapeutic/healing components of the herbal/plant raw material, in a concentrated form (this is a common, shady practice, with the industrially-made products)
2. Diluting the concentrate (essential oil/s), with natural and/or synthetic matter (for example, with using the following: Almond oil, fragrance chemicals, etc.)
3. Diluting the concentrate (essential oil/s), with other essential oil/s, which possess similar aroma, and are, usually, incomparably cheaper than the original concentrate being diluted; (Melissa essential oil is a classical example here – it is often times diluted with the citrus essential oils, whose smell resembles Lemon balm)
4. Subterfuge of synthetic/fragrance substances, marketed as “natural” “essential oils”
5. Deception regarding the location where the essential oil was distilled (for example, the Lemon/Orange/Melissa essential oils, marketed as “Mediterranean”, are, actually, made in India, China, etc.)
6. Increasing the amount of certain beneficial/valued compounds within the essential oils, explained within the following example/s – the levels of neryl acetate, a valued/healing compound within the Helichrusym Italicum, is being increased by some distributors, through citrus fruits derived one, and/or it’s levels are being increased by mixing the two, different manufacturers produced, Helichrysum essential oils (one possessing lower levels of neryl acetate, and the other one higher levels of this compound).

Eastern Adriatic Melissa Officinalis Healing Essential Oil

Melissa has always been valued for its rejuvenating properties, and even enjoyed/enjoys a reputation of being a panacea.

The “Honey plant” has been cultivated since antiquity, by the Slavics, Greeks, Romans, and Arabs, which worshiped, and nourished it, for its aroma and medicinal value.

Its written use as a medicinal plant dates back to Theophrastus and Hippocrates in ancient Greece, and records of its medicinal properties and application are found in the writings of Dioscorides, and the texts of Pliny the Elder, who recommended it mixed with honey as a remedy intended for strengthening the eyes, and preventing cataracts.

In ancient Arabic medicine, it was considered as a means to relieve spasms, while in European areas it was considered as a remedy for improving the mood.

Saint Hildegard of Bingen wrote that melissa tea “warms the spleen and the heart, that becomes joyful”, while Mattioli praised lemon balm as the foremost medicine for the heart health, because it “removes fear, anxiety and sadness, warms the stomach, and all of the internal organs.”

At the beginning of the 17th century, an order of Carmelite nuns began producing a drink – an elixir made of lemon balm called “Eau de melisse des Carmes”, according to a recipe that is still kept as a secret, as it is considered for being an “Elixir of long life” and a “Liquor of health”.

Melissa essential oil, also known as lemon balm oil, is used for centuries in aromatherapy and holistic medicine, to treat a number of health concerns, which justifies its holistic view of being a “panacea”.

This lemon-scented oil can be taken internally, applied topically, or diffused at home.

Health Benefits, Uses:

• Soothes inflammation
• Prevents/relieves stress and anxiety; tonic for the nervous system
• Eliminates melancholy, sleep disturbances, irritability, depression, hysteria, fear, helps to overcome dark emotions (envy, ill will, jealousy)
• Normalizes sleep, and natural human biorhythms
• Positive effect on asthenia, anemia, weakness, a tendency to dizziness, fainting
• Promotes heart health
• Prevents and treats infections
• Relieves spasms
• Antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal properties
• Promotes skin health; natural remedy for eczema, acne, wounds
• Has anti-diabetic effects
• Treats herpes and other viruses
• Natural remedy for treating of Alzheimer’s, and dementia; boosts memory; stimulates the intellectual centers, increases the ability to memorize and assimilate information, concentration, and the ability to make correct conclusions
• Serves as a anti-tumor agent
• Aids in reducing high blood pressure
• Reduces triglyceride levels
• Relieves PMS and menstrual symptoms
• Improves appetite
• Aids in easing the pain and discomfort from indigestion; boosts digestive processes
• Nausea
• Candida
• Reduces fever
• Eliminates bad breath odor
• Promotes good overall health – Melissa essential oil aids all of the body/mind/spirit systems/spheres to function properly, by acting as a tonic that keeps everything in order
• Boosts the immunity, and gives added strength

Botanical Name: Melissa officinalis

Extraction Method: Steam distilled

Part of Plant Distilled: Leaves, flowers

Country of Origin: Bosnia and Herzegovina

Composition: 100% Melissa officinalis

Consistency: Thin to medium viscosity

Cultivation Method: Organic

Scent Description: Sweet and lemony fresh, floral, slightly herbaceous, with subtle notes of mint and honey