Melissa

Melissa… Essential Oil

• BOTANICAL NAME : Melissa Officinalis
• ORIGIN : Turkey & Bulgaria
• PRODUCTION METHOD : Steam Distillation
• PART(S) USED FOR PRODUCTION : Leaves

It is widely produced in the Mediterranean and Aegean Regions in Turkey. It is also found in Provinces of Istanbul, Bursa, Bilecik, Bolu, Ankara, Amasya, Samsun, Kütahya, Malatya, Erzincan, Tunceli and Muğla. In recent years, it has become more widespread in Turkey as a result of which the production increased up to 200 tons. Highest yield is obtained in autumn months. Melissa leaves which are started to be collected in September are placed into vessels which are then subject to steam distillation. 1200 Kg Melissa leaves have to be processed to obtain 1 Kg Melissa oil. Melissa (Melissa officinalis L.) is a perennial plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family.

The plant has fibrous root. It has a tuberous root with many fibrous roots. Its roots are extremely fibrous with a color ranging from whitish to light brown. Plant’s body grows vertically or semi-vertically with a height up to 60 to 100cm. It has oval leaves. Base of leaves is shaped like heart with pointed ends. Length of leaves measures 2 to 8 cm with 1.5 to 5.0 cm width. Leaves on lower part of the plant are bigger than the leaves in upper part, and have toothed edges.

Flowers gathers as groups in the end of stem. Color of plant’s flowers varies from bluish white to yellowish white. The plant is hermaphrodite, i.e. has only female or male flowers. Hermaphrodite flowers can quickly go protandrous.