11 Benefits of Melissa Essential

Oil
Melissa essential oil, also known as lemon balm oil, is used in
traditional medicine to treat a number of health concerns, including
insomnia, anxiety, migraines, hypertension, diabetes, herpes and
dementia. This lemon-scented oil can be applied topically, taken
internally or diffused at home.

One of the most well-known melissa essential oil benefits is its

ability to treat cold sores, or herpes simplex virus 1 and 2,
naturally and without the need for antibiotics that may add to the
growth of resistant bacterial strains in the body. Its antiviral and
antimicrobial properties are only some of the potent and
therapeutic qualities of this valued essential oil.

11 Benefits of Melissa Essential Oil

1. Improves Symptoms of Alzheimers Disease

Melissa is probably the most studied of the essential oils for its
ability to serve as a natural treatment for Alzheimers, and its
very likely one of the most effective. Scientists at Newcastle
General Hospitals Institute for Aging and Health conducted a
placebo-controlled trial to determine the value of melissa essential
oil for agitation in people with severe dementia, which is a frequent
and major management problem, especially for patients with
severe cognitive impairment. Seventy-two patients with clinically
significant agitation in the context of severe dementia were
randomly assigned to the Melissa essential oil or placebo treatment
group.

Researchers found that 60 percent of the melissa oil group and 14

percent of the placebo-treated group experienced a 30 percent
reduction of agitation scores. There was an overall improvement in
agitation in 35 percent of patients receiving melissa oil and 11
percent in those treated with placebo, suggesting that quality of life
was improved significantly with essential oil treatment. (1)

2. Possesses Anti-inflammatory Activity

Research has shown that melissa oil can be used to treat various
diseases associated with inflammation and pain. A 2013 study
published in Advances in Pharmacological Science investigated the
anti-inflammatory properties of melissa essential oil by using
experimental trauma-induced hind paw edema in rats. The anti-
inflammatory properties of oral administration of melissa oil showed
a significant reduction and inhibition of edema, which is swelling
caused by excess fluid that is trapped in the bodys tissues. (2)

The results of this study and many like it suggest that melissa oil
can be taken internally or applied topically to reduce swelling and
relieve pain due to its anti-inflammatory activity.

3. Prevents and Treats Infections

As many of us already know, the widespread use of antimicrobial

agents causes resistant bacterial strains, which can seriously
compromise the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment thanks to
this antibiotic resistance. Research suggests that the use of
herbal medicines might be a precautionary measure to prevent the
development of resistance to synthetic antibiotics that are
associated with therapeutic failures.

Melissa oil has been evaluated by researchers for its ability to stop
bacterial infections. The most important identified compounds in
melissa oil that are well-known for their antimicrobial effects are
citral, citronellal and trans-caryophyllene. A 2008 study showed
that melissa oil exhibited a higher degree of antibacterial activity
than did lavender oil against Gram-positive bacterial strains,
including candida. (3)

4. Has Anti-diabetic Effects

Studies suggest that melissa oil is an efficient hypoglycemic and

anti-diabetic agent, probably due to enhanced glucose uptake and
metabolism in the liver, along with adipose tissue and the inhibition
of gluconeogenesis in the liver.

A 2010 study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that

when mice were administered melissa essential oil for six weeks,
they showed significantly reduced blood glucose levels, improved
glucose tolerance and significantly higher serum insulin levels
compared with the control group, all of which can reduce diabetes
symptoms. (4)

5. Promotes Skin Health

Melissa oil is used for naturally treating eczema, acne and minor
wounds, as it has antibacterial and antifungal properties. In studies
that involve topical use of melissa oil, healing times were found to
be statistically better in the groups treated with lemon balm oil. (5)
Its gentle enough to apply directly to the skin and helps clear up
skin conditions that are caused by bacteria or fungus.
6. Treats Herpes and Other Viruses

Melissa is often the herb of choice for treating cold sores, as its
effective at fighting viruses in the herpes virus family. It can be
used to inhibit the spread of viral infections, which can be
especially helpful for people who have developed a resistance to
commonly used antiviral agents.

A 2008 study published in Phytomedicine found that higher

concentrations of melissa essential oil nearly abolished herpes
simplex virus type 1 and 2 completely when it was tested on
monkey kidney cells using a plaque reduction assay. Researchers
suggest that melissa oil serves as a suitable topical treatment
for getting rid of herpes because it has antiviral effects and is
able to penetrate the skin due to its lipophilic nature. (6)