A Mediterranean plant which grows to around 2 feet and has small hairy serrated leaves. The flowers are yellow in colour and are notorious for attracting bees - Melissa is the greek word for honey bee. Melissa grows best in iron rich soil which may contribute to it's anti anaemic qualities. France is the largest producer of Melissa.

Pure Melissa oil is extremely expensive and notoriously hard to find as it is often adulterated with lemon oil. It is worth reading the section on buying essential oils before you buy some.

Avoid during pregnancy.
Avoid if you suffer from LOW blood pressure.
May irritate sensitive skin.

In mythology it is said that bees fed honey to the infant Jupiter which his mother Rhea hid from her husband Chronus. The best honey in the world is produced from Melissa.

Paracelsus, a well respected Swiss medic, called Melissa 'The Elixir of Life' due to it's calming effect on the heart. Melissa is well known for it's rejuvenating properties and is said to be a cure all. The plant has been used in medicine for centuries and is also drunk as a cordial in the Middle East.

Also known as 'Lemon Balm', in Hebrew it is called 'Bal-Smin' meaning 'Chief of Oils'. The Romans brought Melissa to Britain and has remained a popular herb since.