Antonio Mcgowan
Lemon balm, also known as Melissa officinalis, is a versatile herb with a refreshing citrus scent and a long history of use for easing anxiety and uplifting moods. It is simple to make lemon balm-infused oil at home, which can be used as a base for perfumes. To make lemon balm-infused oil, one can macerate dried or wilted lemon balm leaves in a carrier oil for several weeks. The cold maceration process lets the lemon balm release its oil-soluble compounds into the oil. After straining out the herbal material, one will be left with a potent lemon balm oil that retains the medicinal properties of the herb. This oil can then be used as a base for perfumes, with essential oils added for fragrance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Beeswax, coconut oil, verbana lemon balm scent, lemon verbena essential oil, lavender petals, rosemary essential oil, lemon myrtle, lemongrass, almond oil |
| Cost | Approximately $0.20 |
| Preparation | Melt almond oil and beeswax in a saucepan over low heat, cool for a minute, add essential oils, swirl to combine, decant into tins |
| Storage | Store in a sealed container in the fridge, will remain fresh for at least a week |
| Benefits | Lemon balm is believed to help with relaxation and has healing properties for cold sores |
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What You'll Learn
Lemon balm-infused oil
To make lemon balm-infused oil, you will need dried or wilted lemon balm leaves and a carrier oil of your choice. The process involves macerating the lemon balm leaves in the carrier oil for several weeks. This allows the lemon balm to release its oil-soluble compounds into the carrier oil through a cold maceration process. After this steeping period, strain out the herbal material, and you will be left with a fragrant lemon balm-infused oil that retains the medicinal properties of the herb.
It is important to note that lemon balm-infused oil is different from lemon balm essential oil, which requires a much larger quantity of herbs and a complex steam distillation process. Lemon balm-infused oil is a more accessible and straightforward option for at-home creation, while still offering the therapeutic benefits of the lemon balm herb.
With its soothing and uplifting properties, lemon balm-infused oil can be a versatile addition to your self-care routine, providing a natural and fragrant option for personal care and perfume creation.
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Essential oil
Lemon balm essential oil is obtained through steam distillation of the lemon balm plant leaves, concentrating all the plant's constituents. This process requires specialised equipment and multiple steps. The lemon balm plant, also known as Melissa, is well-known for its ability to calm the mind and ease anxiety.
To make lemon balm essential oil, you will need a large quantity of lemon balm leaves, a carrier oil, and some specialised equipment. The leaves should be dried and chopped finely to speed up the extraction process. The carrier oil can be olive oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, or even a neutral oil like canola oil.
- Place the chopped lemon balm leaves into a clean and sanitized glass jar.
- Pour the carrier oil over the leaves, ensuring they are completely submerged.
- Seal the jar and store it in a dark place that is not too cold or too hot, and avoid direct sunlight.
- Allow the mixture to infuse for at least two weeks, shaking the jar slowly every day to help extract the fragrance from the leaves. The longer you infuse, the more potent the oil will become.
- After infusion, place a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth over a clean bowl or measuring cup. Slowly pour the infused oil through the strainer to separate the oil from the leaves.
- The oil is now ready to be used or stored. Lemon balm oil can last up to two to three years when refrigerated.
It is important to note that lemon balm essential oil is different from lemon balm-infused oil, which is simpler to make at home. The essential oil production process is intricate and requires a larger quantity of herbs to yield a small amount of oil.
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Solid perfume
To make lemon balm solid perfume, you will need a few key ingredients and tools. A pyrex bowl, a microwave, or a bain-marie/double boiler (a saucepan to put the pyrex bowl in for melting ingredients), and a spatula are required.
For the ingredients, you can use a combination of beeswax, carrier oils such as sweet almond oil or jojoba oil, and fragrance or essential oils. Lemon verbena essential oil is a good choice for a lemon scent, but it should be noted that it is phototoxic and should not be used above 0.69% of the final product. You can also add a UV blocker for extra protection. Other essential oils can be added to complement the lemon scent, such as lavender, rosemary, or lemongrass.
To make the solid perfume, melt the sweet almond oil and beeswax together in a small saucepan over low heat. Remove from the heat and let it cool down for a minute. Add your choice of essential oils and stir to combine. Then, pour the mixture into small tins or compact containers, such as old trinket pots, for storage. It is recommended to use dark-colored glass jars as they provide more UV protection and help retain the fragrance quality.
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Fragrance oil
Lemon balm oil can be used as a base for perfume. To make lemon balm oil at home, you will need fresh lemon balm leaves, a carrier oil such as almond, olive, or coconut oil, and a clean glass jar with a lid.
First, wash and dry the lemon balm leaves, removing as much excess moisture as possible. Chop the leaves finely to speed up the extraction process. Next, place the chopped leaves into the jar and pour the carrier oil over them, ensuring they are completely submerged. Seal the jar tightly and store it in a warm, dry place out of direct sunlight for at least two weeks. The longer you leave the mixture, the more potent the oil will become.
After the infusion process, place a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth over a clean bowl and slowly pour the infused oil through it, collecting the pure oil in the container below. This will result in a lemon balm-infused oil that retains the medicinal properties and refreshing citrus scent of the herb.
When making a solid fragrance, it is recommended to use fragrance oils that are formulated for skin contact, rather than essential oils, due to sensitization risks. You can add lemon verbena fragrance oil to your blend of oils and fats, but it should not exceed 0.69% of the final product due to phototoxicity concerns.
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Macerating dried lemon balm
To macerate dried lemon balm, you will need dried lemon balm leaves. It is important to ensure that the leaves are completely dry, as even a small amount of water could attract mould and spoil the preparation. You will also need a carrier oil, such as almond oil, which has a neutral scent that allows the lemon balm's citrus fragrance to shine.
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 sterilised, 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.
The next step is to use the cold maceration method, which is easy but requires some patience. 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. Infuse for at least two to four weeks, then strain the oil through a fine strainer or cheesecloth to remove the herbal material.
After straining, you will be left with a potent lemon balm oil that retains the medicinal properties of the herb. This oil can be used as a base for creating a lemon balm perfume.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need lemon balm, a carrier oil, and a few other essential oils of your choice.
Macerate dried or wilted lemon balm leaves in a carrier oil for several weeks. After straining out the herbal material, you will have a potent lemon balm oil.
Popular choices include lavender, rosemary, lemongrass, and coconut oil.
First, melt the sweet almond oil and beeswax together in a saucepan over low heat. Remove from the heat and let it cool down, then add the essential oils and swirl to combine. Finally, decant the mixture into small tins.
Lemon balm has a refreshing citrus scent and is known for its soothing effects on the mind. It is also believed to help manage emotional stress and anxiety.
