• Melissa (Lemon Balm)
  • Melissa (Lemon Balm)

Melissa (Lemon Balm)

  • Scientific Name
    Melissa officinalis
  • Family
    Lamiaceae
  • Origin
    Europe , Asiaetc.

CONTENTS

Plant description

Melissa, commonly known as lemon balm, is a perennial herb belonging to the Lamiaceae family. It   reaches a height of approximately 60 cm and graces us with beautiful white flowers. During the winter months, the above-ground parts of the plant wither away, only to sprout fresh shoots the following spring from the roots that linger in the soil. The name “melissa” originates from the Greek word “Melissa,” meaning bees, which alludes to its magnetic attraction for bees. Originally cultivated to draw bees for honey collection, it is now widely utilized in herbal teas, various food and beverage products, as well as in perfumery and horticulture.

Essential oil composition

メリッサ

  • メリッサ

  • INCI
    Melissa Officinalis Leaf Oil
  • Parts of Plant Used
    Leaf
  • Extraction Method
    Steam Distillation
  • Extraction Rate
    0.04%
  • Notes
    Middle
  • Aroma Family
    Citrus

メリッサ Essential Oil Properties & Uses

Approximately 0.014% of Melissa's essential oil is obtained from its leaves through steam distillation, resulting in a light yellow to light greenish-yellow oil. The main components of this oil are Citral, β-caryophyllene, and germacrene D. It possesses a refreshing aroma reminiscent of lemon, with a cooling scent and a harmonious, honey-like sweetness. This sweetness is deep, yet not overwhelming, offering a well-balanced freshness to the senses. Due to the limited quantity of essential oil produced, Melissa oil is considered relatively expensive. It blends well with a variety of other essential oils. Given its potent scent, it is advisable to maintain a balanced blend, ensuring not to overpower by using excessive amounts.

Essential oil composition

Essential oil composition

※An example of one batch production is shown here.

  • Citral　39.87%
  • β-Caryophyllene　17.22%
  • Germacrene D　4.48%
  • Caryophyllene oxide　2.96%
  • Methyl heptenone　2.31%
  • Citronellal　1.83%
  • Geraniol　1.61%
  • δ-Cadinene　1.47%
  • Ocimene 　1.43%
  • α-Humulene　1.39%
  • Geranyl acetate　1.39%
  • Linalool　1.15%
  • α-Copaene　1.01%

Functions and Efficacies

Geraniol

Geraniol
  • IUPAC Name
    (2E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-ol
  • Molecular Formula
    C15H26O
  • Molecular Weight
    154.25 g/mol
  • CAS No.
    106-24-1
  • Structure
    Monoterpene alcohol

Functions and Efficacies of Geraniol

in slico in vitro ex vivo in vivo
Non-clinical Clinical
Mice Rats Guinea Pigs Insects Rabbits Human
Anti-inflammatory Effects ○
Anti-bacterial Effects ○
Anti-cancer Effects ○

Anti-inflammatory Effects

A study reported that the addition of geraniol to human umbilical vein endothelial cells inhibited the production of inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, induced by Ox-LDL.1)

Anti-bacterial Effects

A study reported that growth-inhibitory effect on B. botulinum was observed in culture medium supplemented with geraniol. 2) Similar inhibitory effects have also been reported against several other bacteria.3)

Anti-cancer Effects

A study reported an increased hepatic apoptosis (cell death) index in the group of hepatocarcinogenesis model rats treated with geraniol．4)

  • 1)Ammar et al., Nutrients, 2022
  • 2)Ueda et al., Nippon Shokuhin Kogyo gakkaishi, 1982
  • 3)M˛aczka et al., Molecules, 2020
  • 4)Ong et al., Carcinogenesis, 2006

Citral

Citral
  • IUPAC Name
    (2E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienal
  • Molecular Formula
    C10H16O
  • Molecular Weight
    152.23 g/mol
  • CAS No.
    5392-40-5
  • Structure
    Monoterpene

Functions and Efficacies of Citral

in slico in vitro ex vivo in vivo
Non-clinical Clinical
Mice Rats Guinea Pigs Insects Rabbits Human
Stress Reduction ○
Anti-bacterial Effects ○
Anti-cancer Effects ○

Stress Reduction

A study reported that mice exposed to cold stress at 4°C exhibited suppressed increases in brain monoamine levels within the citral-treated group.1)

Acti-bacterial Effects

A study reported that when Aspergillus niger was cultivated in a growth medium supplemented with citral, it exhibited superior antimicrobial activity compared to other essential oil components. Additionally, citral demonstrated a longer-lasting antimicrobial effect against multiple fungi.2)

Anti-cancer Effects

A study reported that the administration of citral to human breast cancer-derived 3D-cultured cells resulted in a concentration-dependent reduction in the size of cell aggregates. Additionally, in experiments utilizing AnnexinV/7AAD flow cytometry—a method used to detect apoptotic cells—an increase in apoptotic cells was observed following citral administration.3)

  • 1)Fukumoto et al., Stress and Health, 2008
  • 2)岡村、木材保存、2002
  • 3)Nigjeh et al., BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2018

Linalool

Linalool
  • IUPAC Name
    3,7-Dimethylocta-1,6-dien-3-ol
  • Molecular Formula
    C10H18O
  • Molecular Weight
    154.25 g/mol
  • CAS No.
    78-70-6
  • Structure
    Monoterpene alcohol

Functions and Efficacies of Linalool

in slico in vitro ex vivo in vivo
Non-clinical Clinical
Mice Rats Guinea Pigs Insects Rabbits Human
Anti-inflammatory Effects ○
Stress Reduction ○ ○
Anti-oxidant Effects ○

Anti-inflammatory Effects

A study reported that linalool reduced hindlimb edema in rats induced by carrageenan administration. 1)

Stress Reduction

A study reported that linalool treatment increased the time it took for mice to escape to a dark room when under light stress. Additionally, it reduced the number and duration of attacks on other mice in a confined room, indicating its stress-reducing effects.2) Linalool inhalation was observed to reverse gene expression alterations in the hypothalamus associated with stress response in mice.3) Numerous studies have documented the stress-reducing capabilities of linalool.4)5)6)

Anti-oxidant Effects

A study reported that the addition of linalool was found to suppress the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by UV irradiation in human skin fibroblasts.7)

  • 1)Peana et al., Phytomedicine, 2002
  • 2)Linck et al., Phytomedicine, 2010
  • 3)Yoshida et al., Neuroscience Letters, 2017
  • 4)Harada et al., Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 2018
  • 5)Souto-Maior et al., Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 2011
  • 6)Weston-Green et al., Frontiers in Scichiatry, 2021
  • 7)Gunaseelan et al., Plos One, 2017

IFRA

Melissa (Lemon Balm)：
There are restrictions on its use in the final product due to its potential to cause dermal sensitization.

Melissa (Lemon Balm)

※Only information for selected components are shown here.

Citral：
There are restrictions on its use in the final product due to its potential of having systemic toxicity and dermal sensitization.

Citral

※Only information for selected components are shown here.

References
Jennie Harding [Handbook of Essential Oil and Plant Oil] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2010.
Shinichiro Otsuki/Yukiko Ozaki [Scientific Name Etymology Dictionary of Herbs] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2009.
Jennie Harding [Illustrated Reference Book of Herbs] Sancho Publishing, 2012.
Freddy Ghozland/Xavier Fernandez [L’Herbier Parfume] Hara Publishing, 2013.
Kyohei Mikami [Comprehensive Guide to Essential Oils] Fragrance Journal, 2010.
Yuzuru Ogura [Dictionary of Plants] Tokyo-do Publishing, 1957.
Nobuo Ohashi [Dictionary of Medical Herbs] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2016.
Wanda Sellar [The directory of essential oils] Fragrance Journal, 1992.
Aroma Environment Association of Japan [AEAJ Aromatherapy Certification Official Textbook grade1&2] Sekaibunka, 1999.
Robert Tissearand [Essential Oil Safety] Fragrance Journal, 2018.
Ayako Berg [Aromatherapy Essential Oil Dictionary] Seibido Shuppan, 2022.
Azusa Annells [Enjoying Fragrance: An Illustrated Book of Aromas with Characteristics]Natsumesha CO.,LTD., 2023
International Fragrance Association, Melissa oil (genuine Melissa officinalis L.), 2020.
International Fragrance Association, Citral, 2020.
(All written in or translated to Japanese.)
Supervisor
Yamamoto Perfumery co., ltd.

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