Melissa Hydrolat

Melissa is a perennial plant about 60cms high with a hairy stem, dark green leaves and small white flowers. The plant is highly aromatic and the oil is distilled from the flowering tops. The essential oil is notoriously difficult to distil except by cohobation, and even then only a small amount of oil is yielded. It is quite normal for the leaves and flowers to be distilled just for the aromatic water (called a ‘distillate’ in France). 

One of the earliest known medicinal herbs, Paracelsus called Melissa the ‘elixir of life’. It was associated then to help with nervous disorders, the heart and the emotions and was also used for anxiety and melancholy. 

The hydrolat is calming but not sedative; digestive and anti-nausea; promotes relaxation; moderate anti-oxidant; a great cleanser and toner for all skin types; good for baby bath, cradle cap or wet wipes; helpful for exam jitters. 

Hydrolats are the aromatic waters produced by the steam distillation of botanical material, usually during the production of essential oils.  Hydro means water and lat comes from the word for milk, because when fresh these waters can be cloudy or milky from the suspended soluble plant extracts. 

Hydrolats are gentle and effective.  They contain only the most water-soluble chemicals from the plant material plus microscopic drops of the essential oils.  They may be used undiluted without problems but it is usually unnecessary as they are just as effective in dilution – less can be more!  Generally calming and soothing. 

How to use