Cultivation and Harvesting:
Melissa is Native to the Mediterranean region and Southern Europe. The largest producers of Melissa oil are Italy, United States, Egypt, Ireland, and Hungary.

Melissa officinalis is a herbaceous upright perennial, generally referred to as Bee Balm and Lemon Balm.

The cultivation of Melissa officinalis is by seed. It will grow best in cool weather, well-drained, sandy loam soil with pH range 6.7 to 7.3, it grows to 1 to 2 feet height, white to creamy yellow flowers at the top.

Melissa Essential Oil is steam distilled from the leaves and flowers of Melissa officinalis. The yield of oils is as low it ranges from 0.014 to 0.15%. Steam distillation of the leaves produces a sweet and citrus oil type of essential oil.

The main chemical constituents of Melissa essential oil are geranial and neral. These two chemicals contain soothing properties that make this essential oil a suitable aromatherapy oil for relaxing massage therapy oil.

Odor profile:
Fresh, lemony, and herbaceous

Major Constituents:
Geranial, Germacrene, Citronellal, Geranyl Acetate, Neral, Methyl Heptenone, Aesculetine, Caryophyllene, Linalool, and Geranyl Acetate, etc.

Application:
~ Melissa essential oil can be used to cure stress, insomnia, infections, sleep disorders, indigestion, nausea, fungal viral skin infections, herpes, nervousness, and depression up to a certain extent.
~ Lemon balm is a mosquito repellant and can be used to repel mosquitoes without additional chemicals. 

Aromatherapy:
Melissa essential oil is used to improve: memory problem, increase alertness, support liver health, improve sleep, reduce stress and anxiety, improve digestion, ease stomach pains, improve skin health, reduce muscle tension, treat cold sores, and improve liver health, normalize blood sugar levels and functionality.