How to make lemon balm oil + 10 ways to use it

Learn how to make lemon balm oil from the lemon balm herb and discover 10 ways to use its soothing, moisturizing, and healing properties.

Known for its refreshing citrus scent, lemon balm oil offers soothing effects on the mind and may even help with healing cold sores.

Lemon balm oil is known for its refreshing citrus scent and soothing effects on the mind. It’s healing properties may help with cold sores.

Making your own lemon balm oil at home is a simple and rewarding process. Not only will you enjoy its therapeutic benefits, but you’ll also have the joy of creating something special with your own hands.

Let’s dive into the benefits of lemon balm oil before exploring how to craft your own DIY version.

lemon balm herb

Lemon balm, also known as honey plant or balm mint, is a versatile herb with a long history of use for easing anxiety and uplifting mood. One of the simplest ways to enjoy lemon balm internally is by brewing a soothing cup of lemon balm tea.

For a more potent option, a DIY lemon balm herbal tincture can help manage emotional stress effectively.

This aromatic herb, known in Latin as Melissa officinalis, boasts an intense citrusy flavor that attracts honeybees while naturally repelling mosquitoes. Growing lemon balm in your garden not only enhances its charm but also helps keep pesky insects at bay. You can even use lemon balm to craft a handy mosquito spray, perfect for on-the-go protection.

Make Lemon balm Oil

Lemon balm infused oil is made by macerating dried or wilted lemon balm leaves in a carrier oil for several weeks. The cold maceration process allows the lemon balm to release its oil-soluble compounds into the oil. After straining out the herbal material, you’ll have a potent lemon balm oil that retains the medicinal properties of the herb.

Homemade Lemon Balm Infused Oil vs Lemon Balm Essential Oil

At this point, it’s important to clarify the difference between lemon balm-infused oil, which you can easily make at home, and lemon balm essential oil, which is produced through steam distillation and requires specialized equipment and multiple steps.

While lemon balm-infused oil is simple to make at home, producing essential oil requires a much larger quantity of herbs, often a hundred times more, to yield just a few drops. The steam distillation process involves simmering the herbs to create steam, which is then directed through a distillation tube and cooled, turning back into liquid. This liquid, known as hydrosol, contains a small amount of essential oil, which floats on top and must be carefully captured. The process is intricate and results in only a tiny amount of essential oil.

In this tutorial, however, we will focus on the easy, step-by-step process of making lemon balm-infused oil at home.

Benefits of Lemon balm oil for the skin

Heals cold sores caused by herpes simplex (HSV)

This study suggests that using lemon balm topically may help heal cold sores caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Lemon balm possesses antiviral properties that help to ease herpes simplex virus, both oral and genital.

In another study of 116 people with HSV, those who applied lemon balm cream to their lip sores experienced significant improvement in redness and swelling after only two days. 

Here is an easy tutorial on how to make lemon balm lip balm.

Antibacterial properties

Another study revealed that melissa oil showed a higher degree of antibacterial activity than did Lavandula oil against Gram-positive strains. Both oil samples tested have shown high activity against Candida albicans. The gram-negative bacteria were not affected by the lemon balm oil.

Moisturizing and astringent

Lemon balm oil possesses astringent and antibacterial properties and can serve as a facial cleanser and moisturizer.

Ingredients

Fresh Lemon Balm Leaves and Stems

Whether you choose to forage for lemon balm plant or harvest it from your garden, it’s an easy herb to identify. A simple test involves crushing the leaves between your fingers, releasing their unmistakably citrusy aroma.

Like all herbs from the mint family, lemon balm stems are squared—twirling them between your fingers makes this feature easy to feel. Its oppositely paired, deeply wrinkled leaves range from dark green to yellowish green, making the herb simple to recognize.

If fresh lemon balm isn’t available, you can also order dried lemon balm leaves online.

drying lemon balm leaves

Using fresh lemon balm leaves could spoil the infused oil as they contain moisture. To avoid this, it’s best to use dry or wilted leaves for the infusion.

Spread the leaves on a baking sheet or drying rack and place them in a dry, well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight. It typically takes up to 3 days for them to dry completely.

If you’re short on time, use wilted leaves, which lose most of their moisture within a few hours. Alternatively, you can use a dehydrator for faster results.

Carrier oil

Choosing the right carrier oil depends on your intended use for the infused oil:

• For massage oils, opt for a carrier oil that is easily spreadable and absorbs quickly.
• For skincare products like night creams, choose oils rich in fatty acids and vitamins to nourish the skin.

The scent of the carrier oil is another important consideration. A neutral oil works best to let the lemon balm’s citrus fragrance shine. For this tutorial, I used almond oil, as I planned to use the infused oil in a lemon balm lip balm.

You can refer to a carrier oil guide to explore their properties, actions, and viscosities, and select the best option for your project.

Homemade Lemon Balm Oil Recipe

First step: Combine the Ingredients

Gently crush the dried leaves between your fingers to increase their surface area, allowing the carrier oil to better absorb the herb’s active compounds.

Place the crushed leaves into a sterilized, completely dry jar. Pour your chosen carrier oil over the leaves until all the herbal material is fully submerged. Seal the jar tightly with a lid.

Second step – Infuse

I used the cold maceration method, which is easy but requires some patience. For a faster method, see the recipe notes. Place the sealed jar in a warm, dry spot for at least four weeks. Shake the jar occasionally to mix the contents, and ensure the leaves remain covered with oil to prevent spoilage.

Third step – Strain the oil

Infuse for at least 2-4 weeks and strain the oil through a fine strainer or cheesecloth to remove the herbal material. Transfer the finished lemon balm oil into a clean, labeled container.

 

How long does this lemon balm oil last?

When stored in a cool, dark place, lemon balm oil can last up to 1 year. Refrigerating it can extend its shelf life to 2 years.

How to use lemon balm oil 

1. I used it as a base for this lemon balm lip balm which is a great solution for cold sores.
2. Similarly, you can make salve or cream
3. Add Melissa oil to your moisturizer or to a spray bottle with water and spritz your face
4. For its astringent properties, add a few drops to your toner or make up remover.
5. Use it to make lemon balm soap
6. BATH OIL – its soothing and relaxing properties make a wonderful calming bath. Relax with a lemony fragrance of lemon balm oil. Just a few splashes make you relax, help to relieve tension, and calm your mind.
7. Similarly, this melissa oil makes a great massaging oil that makes you relaxed and can help calm anxiety and ease pain. 
8. Use it to in easy to make at home relaxing lemon bath bombs
9. The refreshing, citrusy scent can help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation when used in aromatherapy blends or diffusers.
10. Because this oil has an aromatic, citrusy flavor, it is great to use in salad dressings or in marinades for the chicken or fish.