Aromaceuticals

The tiny flowers of melissa, or lemon balm, yield a miniscule amount of essential oil. The yield is among the lowest in the aromatherapy industry, making melissa one of the costliest oils available, yet it is one of the most potent antivirals and antibacterials in the botanical world.

Melissa (Melissa officinalis) has a very long history of medicinal cultivation, and has traditionally been used as a nerve tonic. It is the primary ingredient in the German folk remedy Klosterfrau Melissengeist, a cure-all tonic that is still popular today. Although Klosterfrau Melissengeist is most often used for anxiety, depression, insomnia, fatigue and other nervous complaints, researchers who studied the preparation found that it was effective aginst a surprising number of pathogens, including pneumococcus, klebsiella, streptococcus and haemophilus.

Further investigation of melissa has shown that is is remarkably effective against many viruses, especially herpes simplex. This has led to the herb's incorporation in a number of OTC herpes drugs, notably the German Lomaherpan. Melissa's effect is twofold: it is both antiviral and anti-inflammatory to herpes lesions. The aldehydes citral and citronellal, which lend melissa its characteristic lemony odor, are potent anti-inflammatories when present in very low concentrations. Citral is also antiviral against herpes, as are tannic polyphenols present in the herb.

Using a very low dilution of melissa oil during the prodrome stage of a herpes outbreak can significantly lessen the duration of the outbreak, and may prevent it altogether. The dilute essential oil can be applied to existing lesions to quickly dry them up, and it is preferable to use a vegetable oil carrier such as rosehipseed oil to prevent overdrying of the surrounding skin. Other high citral oils such as geranium or litsea can also be used to combat herpes, although I have found that they work best when combined in a synergy with oils such as lavender and tea tree.

Do be aware that true melissa oil is hard to come by, as the cost and chemical composition make adulteration a simple and tempting alternative. Aromaceuticals carries true melissa from the largest organic grower/distiller in Europe.

Aromaceuticals moved into our new home at the end of May and we still don't have a permanent phone number. After having spent half the day on the phone with AT&T (which seems to be how I am spending most of my days lately), I'm doing a slow burn. Time for a late night bath with melissa.

Melissa is also known as heart's delight, and has long been regarded as a heart tonic. It is especially effective at resolving emotional issues of the heart where liver imbalance or repressed anger is involved. Those who are worriers and easily discouraged benefit from this oil's cheery, lemony aroma, as do pessimistic types. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), melissa calms the shen, or spirit, allowing it to fully reside in the heart, freeing up a overheated heart and congested liver (the TCM organ of anger) which are not working in concert. Yep, that's where I'm at right now, because like many small business owners, my business is my heart and lifeblood. My situation is compounded at the moment by a fast and liver detox, and the oil will also provide support to the liver.

Melissa is also a terrific oil for those who are easily distracted and running from crisis to crisis. Not my usual state of mind, but this is what happens when your clients don't know where to call you.

I'll be adding a few other essential oils to my bath... neroli, petitgrain and black pepper. All of these are cooling for anger and irritability. So is ylang ylang, a heavy and exceptionally sweet floral which might replace melissa in a blend where supporting the liver isn't as critical.

By the way, Aromaceuticals temporary phone number is 214.485.6668. My two phone companies have assured me that the permanent number, 214.428.6668, will finally be fully installed as of July 7. I'll be taking long soaks with melissa until then!

We're packing up our oils and moving to a bigger space in downtown Dallas. On Tuesday, May 25, we'll reopen at the historic Southside on Lamar warehouse adjacent to the Dallas Convention Center. Our phones switch over to the new number below on May 21.

As with any move, things are in a state of complete upheaval. Even so, I'm still jazzed about the new space, which offers many client conveniences including a spacious lobby, a comfortable and intimate treatment area, generous classroom space, concierge service and ample parking. Southside presents a positive and health-oriented atmosphere, with a wonderful yoga studio and Cooper-certified personal trainers onsite. Not to mention a vibrant artistic community which hosts a constant stream of public cultural events.

Along with all of this are some new aromatherapy products in the making. Stay tuned.

The new contact information:

Aromaceuticals/Essential Oils from Artisan Distillers
1409 South Lamar Street
Suite 408
Dallas, TX  75215
214.428.6668
info@aromaceuticals.com

OK, I've been obsessed with scented candles lately. This obsession is partially fueled by the large number of spa supply catalogs that have been showing up in my mailbox featuring the newest spa trend, "massage" candles. These candles are composed of a vegetable-based wax, usually soy wax. The literature encourages users to light the candles, enjoy the (synthetic) fragrance, then extinguish the flame and smear the melted wax all over their clients, significant others and/or themselves.

From everything I've read, I've been led to believe that these things are selling like hotcakes. Is it just me, or does anyone else find the use of these weird candles to be repulsive, unsanitary and... just a little bit kinky?

Whenever I give a community outreach program on aromatherapy and essential oils, audience members enthusiastically tell me that they make frequent use of aromatherapy candles. These candles can be found just about anywhere, including your neighborhood supermarket or drugstore. They are often someone's first introduction to "aromatherapy." Yet sadly, few consumers realize that when they light a sweet smelling candle, it has everything to do with fragrance and nothing to do with true aromatherapy.

Let's look at the word aromatherapy. Aroma has to do with a substance generated from an aromatic plant. Candles seldom contain essential oils from a named botanical source. Therapy implies a therapeutic or healing effect, helping the body maintain homeostasis or proper balance. Inhaling the vapors generated by a so-called aromatherapy candle will not assist you in falling asleep, help you recover from depression, balance your hormones, or clear your stuffy nasal passages. Appropriate use of a true aromatherapy blend designed for your specific condition will... and aromatherapy blends, or synergies, can be created to effectively assist in healing from any number of common ailments.

Essential oils are highly volatile substances. They are largely held together by weak hydrocarbon bonds which disintegrate upon exposure to heat. The heat generated by a burning candle continually volatilizes any essential oils contained in the candle. Therefore, it is necessary to use a large amount of cheap, adulterated, industrial quality essential oil to maintain the candle's fragrance, or to substitute artificial and longer-lasting fragrance chemicals for the oils. The more popular mass-produced "aromatherapy" candles are created in factories owned by large chemical concerns such as Dow and Johnson & Johnson. Do you really believe that these inexpensive candles contain valuable, genuine and authentic essential oils?

Check the fragrance names on your aromatherapy candles. Commonly used aromas such as fig, berry, pomegranate, mango, etc., don't exist in the form of essential oils. These scents are created from artificial fragrance chemicals. While they smell pleasant to some, they can cause allergic reactions in others. If a burning candle causes sneezing, coughing or irritated eyes, you've likely experienced an allergy to one of these chemicals. If you experience frequent allergic reactions to perfumes and colognes, it's a wise idea to avoid burning aromatherapy candles in your surroundings.

These fruit-scented products sell well because Americans are culturally conditioned to love overly sweet aromas and tastes. We are a society that enjoys our Coca-Cola and Slurpees. Contrast the typical scented candle with the subtle and complex aroma of a fine quality Japanese incense, and you'll understand what I mean.

Don't get me wrong... I'm not opposed to the use of aromatherapy candles. At this writing, I have several Archipelago Botanicals "Stonehenge" candles in various parts of my home. I love the scent, and it's one of the few fragrance candles I can burn that won't send me running for a box of tissues. They create a nice ambient atmosphere during a dinner party or nighttime bath and can be used to freshen room air. I don't consider them "aromatherapy" nor have I ever expected them to provide any therapeutic benefit.

Enjoy scented candles for air freshening and "recreational fragrancing". If you desire a truly therapeutic effect (such as destruction of airborne pathogens in room air), invest in an aromatherapy diffuser, which will effectively disperse essential oils throughout your environment in a microfine mist. There are many different diffusers available on the market, and Aromaceuticals stocks several varieties to fit any budget.