MELISSA, TRUE (Dilution: 1:9ml Light coconut oil)
Melissa officinalis

Planet: Jupiter

History and Mythology
Sometimes the humblest of herbs bear the greatest treasures. Melissa is a common garden herb and spreads so liberally that some people regard it as a weed. No showy flowers, nor pretty seeds, yet its essential oil is precious indeed. The ancients praised Melissa as 'an herb of Jupiter that gladdens the heart', the prosac of antiquity it seems, which Paracelsus thought capable of entirely restoring a man's vitality. Other writers admire its ability to strengthen the mind and memory. Melissa is a great oil for students as well as for old people whose memory begins to fade. It brings cheer to those who feel burdened. Lemon Balm is sacred to the Great Goddess and her honey bees, in fact, the name Melissa means 'bee' in Greek, and even in English Melissa is sometimes called 'bee balm'. Bee keepers rub their hives with the herb to ensure that their bees will always come back. Similarly, in times gone by, Melissa was used as a strewing herb to keep the home scented sweet and welcoming. Previously, only the herb was available to herbalist, but in recent years the essential oil has appeared on the market. Melissa may be a gentle herb, but when one considers that 7 tons are necessary to produce a single litre of oil, one begins to appreciate hits preciousness. So despite the price, a little goes a long way.

Magical use:
Melissa enables the student to absorb more deeply and to commit to memory what has been learnt, while freshening the mind and keeping spirits up. It is also a great oil for dispelling the demons of depression and loneliness. It is excellent for meditation, to find one's centre and bring peace to heart and mind. It can be used to open or balance the heart chakra. It may help to connect the practitioner with the cosmic flow of prosperity and help gain an understanding of the laws of giving and receiving. Melissa is also well known as a 'dream herb'. It may induce prophetic dreams and can be used for astral journeys.

Scent:
'Lemon Balm' sums it up - a lemony, balmy scent, sweet, aromatic and joyful. Blends well with Rose, Geranium, Neroli, Lavender, Myrtle and Manuka.

Aromatherapy:
An excellent oil for the nervous system. It strengthens the vital spirits and eases heart and mind. It can be used for all kinds of nervous conditions such as depression, nervous tension, mental exhaustion, anxieties, phobias and even hysterics. It helps regulate menstrual problems and is one of the best oils for PMT and menopausal problems. It is also useful for the digestive system, in particular it supports the liver. It is a wonderful oil for insomnia and ideal to deeply relax after a stressful day. Some people swear by it as a specific for herpes simplex.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON AROMATHERAPY SEE OUR SEPERATE PAGE TITLED 'AROMATHERAPY USAGE'

QUALITY AND PURITY
We only supply the finest quality essential oils certified for Aromatherapy use. This assures that during the process of extraction, handling and bottling our oils receive all possible care and attention, and that the highest quality and purity is maintained throughout the preparation process.

SAFETY **
** Pure essential oils are highly concentrated substances that should always be treated with due respect. Organic oils naturally are the purest oils available.

** Familiarize yourself thoroughly with the properties and uses of each individual oil you intend to use and take note of all cautions.

** Never take essential oils internally! *

** Do not apply essential oils neat (undiluted) to the skin. The recommended Aromatherapy standard dilution is 1 - 3%, though certain oils may be used in higher or lower dilutions. Consider each case individually.

** Always adhere to recommended safety standards and recommended dilution ratios.

** If you have sensitive skin or are prone to allergies test oil blends on a small area of the inner arm prior to general use.

** Keep oils out of reach of children and pets.

** Never allow essential oils to enter the eyes.

** If you are pregnant, consult a qualified aromatherapist for suitability and safety of specific oils. Many oils should not be used during pregnancy, some only need to be avoided for the first 3 - 4 months, others may be helpful during labour, but may pose a risk during the months before.

** If you suffer from serious medical conditions such as (but not exclusively) high blood pressure, cancer, thrombosis, varicose veins or epilepsy, consult a qualified aromatherapist for professional advice on recommended oils and dosages.

** We support the notion of people taking responsibility for their own well being. However, if symptoms persist or re-occur or you are suffering from a serious medical condition, or if you are presently taking prescription drugs, we recommend that you consult a qualified doctor or practitioner before attempting to help yourself. Look for a practitioner/doctor who you can trust and who is prepared to work with you in exploring natural health alternatives.
*...unless you know better.

CARE FOR YOUR ESSENTIAL OILS:
Essential oils are highly volatile substances that easily deteriorate or simply "fly off" if not stored correctly. Keep essential oils tightly closed and store them away from any sources of heat, in a cool, dark place.

A NOTE ON ABSOLUTES
The prices for absolutes may seem high, but in fact merely reflect the vast amount of flowers needed to produce even a small amount of oil. True absolutes have unique and special fragrances which cannot be imitated synthetically. To keep these precious oils affordable and waste to a minimum we dilute pure absolutes to a 10% strength, ie. 1ml absolute to 9ml of light coconut carrier oil, quantities of 5ml and 10ml are supplied undiluted.