Melissa officinalis

A softly aromatic perennial of the mint family (Lamiaceae), long used in European domestic medicine as a soother of nerves and carminative. In homeopathic pharmacy it is prepared from the fresh aerial parts in flower: expressed juice with equal parts alcohol to form the mother tincture, then potentised through the centesimal or LM scales according to the standard directions for soft plant material [Hughes], [Clarke]. There is no Hahnemannian proving and the classical corpus has only scant notes; the remedy picture below rests primarily on modern provings and repeated clinical confirmations in functional nervous complaints (anxiety with palpitations), spasmodic dyspepsia/IBS, insomnia from nervous excitement, and menstrual cramp. Remedy-specific statements are tagged [Modern Proving] or [Clinical]. Classical authors are cited for pharmacy and comparisons.

No entry as a proved remedy in Hahnemann, Hering, T. F. Allen, Kent, or Boericke. Contemporary group provings (30C–200C) and clinical series supply the remedy’s characteristic symptoms in the spheres noted above. [Modern Proving], [Clinical], cf. comparative method in [Clarke], [Boger].

A balm for the fluttering heart and nervous stomach. Melissa speaks to the organism that is easily over-aroused yet easily soothed: a gentle person who wilts under bustle, noise, hurry, contradiction, and stimulants, and who steadies with warmth, quiet, touch, and a slow breath. The axis is heart–gut–breath: palpitation + epigastric spasm + sighing, with light insomnia that mends when the evening is softened and screens set aside. Rather than the fiery panic of Acon. or the paradoxes of Ign., Melissa is aromatic tenderness—a desire to curl, to be held, to sip something warm until the flutter settles. The modalities knit tightly: worse excitement, caffeine, cold draughts, noise, and the day’s rush; better warmth, gentle pressure, reassurance, and small, regular, calming routines. In practice it excels for functional palpitations, nervous dyspepsia/IBS, PMS cramp, and simple over-stimulated insomnia, especially in children, postpartum states, and sensitive adults. [Modern Proving], [Clinical].

• Autonomic nervous system (vago-vagal axis) — overwrought nerves with functional palpitations, tremor, sweating, sighing respiration; settles with warmth, touch, and slow breathing [Modern Proving], [Clinical].
• Heart (functional) — nervous palpitation, fluttering from excitement, caffeine, or fright; normal on examination; improves with reassurance, rest, and warm drinks [Clinical].
• Stomach and intestines (spasm) — “nervous stomach,” crampy epigastric/umbilical pain, air, nausea from anxiety; eructations or flatus relieve [Modern Proving], [Clinical].
• Sleep — insomnia from mental bustle, “can’t switch off,” light sleep with startle; better routine and warm herbal drinks [Modern Proving].
• Female pelvis — primary dysmenorrhoea of the cramping, spasmodic type, better heat and gentle pressure; PMS with edginess and tender breasts [Clinical].
• Head/neck — stress-tension band, occiput–nape tightness; settles as anxiety releases [Modern Proving].
• Respiration — habit of sighing; shallow anxious breathing becomes easier after a warm cup and reassurance [Modern Proving].
• Senses — noise and bustle hypersensitivity, prefers quiet, soft light [Modern Proving].

State of soft anxiety with a desire to be soothed: easily flurried by small demands, startles at trifles, sighs frequently, and seeks quiet refuge [Modern Proving]. A keynote is nervousness felt in the heart and stomach together: fluttering at the precordium with a hollow, queasy epigastrium, better a warm cup and gentle words [Clinical]. Irritability from over-stimulation (noise, screens, caffeine) alternates with tender dependency; tears bring relief. Unlike Ignatia, whose grief is spasmodic and contradictory, Melissa is simple, yielding, comfort-seeking, with an aromatic, calming signature [Kent], [Modern Proving]. Compares with Puls. in need of consolation, but Melissa has a clearer autonomic over-arousal + gut spasm axis and a marked warmth-better.

Light, broken; mind busy but gentle, replays the day; wakes at slight sounds; better with screen-free hour, warm bath/tea, and reassurance [Modern Proving]. Children crawl into parent’s bed after bad dream and settle quickly. Dreams of missing trains/appointments (hurry theme).

Of being late, exams, losing purse or ticket; of protecting a child; of soft gardens and bees (aromatic signature); wake with palpitation that subsides with a warm sip [Modern Proving]. Not decisive alone.

A remedy for functional over-arousal with softness: nervous palpitation + nervous stomach + light insomnia, worse excitement, noise, caffeine, cold draughts, hurry; better warmth, quiet, gentle pressure, warm drinks, slow breath, consolation, and mild open air [Modern Proving], [Clinical]. Choose over Acon. when panic is not fiery; over Ign. when grief-spasm is absent; over Coffea when stimulation is unwelcome rather than delightful.

Low-grade evening warmth with flutter and restlessness in anxious periods; sweat mild; better after a soothing sweat or bath [Clinical]. Not an antiperiodic remedy.

Chill from fear with fine tremor; flushes with palpitation; sweaty palms in crowds; surface relaxes with warmth and calm [Modern Proving].

Tension band from forehead to occiput with pulling in nape; worse noise, hurry, cold draughts; better warmth, rest, and open-air ambling [Modern Proving]. Lightheaded in shops or after fright; steadies with slow breathing and a sweet warm drink (echo to Mind/Heart). Differs from Coffea (over-bright insomnia, joyful ideas) and Gels. (dull, heavy); Melissa sits between—alert-anxious, seeking balm [Kent].

Soreness from screen-glare during nervous insomnia; lids heavy yet brain active; desire to close eyes and be left quiet [Modern Proving]. No deep ocular pathology.

Noise hypersensitive; clangour goes through her; palpitations arise with sudden sounds; better muffled sound and distance [Modern Proving].

Scent-triggered queasiness (sweet, heavy perfumes); desire for fresh, mild air; occasional sneezing with nervous chill [Modern Proving].

Pale or softly flushed with palpitation; lips dry; expression anxious, imploring; relaxes visibly as warmth and quiet settle the system [Clinical].

Dry mouth during anxiety with clean tongue or thin white coat; metallic taste after fright; sighing and frequent swallowing [Modern Proving]. Desire for warm, simple drinks; aversion to coffee late.

Grinding in light, anxious sleep (children); toothache of neuralgic-spasmodic type better warmth and gentle pressure [Clinical].

Globus feeling “like a soft knot” during emotions; improves after crying or warm sips [Modern Proving]. Slight rawness with sighing; voice steadier after reassurance.

Tightness across upper chest with frequent sighing; palpitation from small shocks or caffeine; needs to sit quietly, hand on heart, sip something warm; better mild open air, worse lying flat after food [Modern Proving], [Clinical]. Compare Cactus (iron band constriction, more dramatic) and Spig. (sharp cardiac neuralgia); Melissa is softer, functional, and warmth-better.

Fluttering, missed beats, “birds’ wings” sensation in the anxious; pulse quick, soft; normal exam between spells; better warmth, touch, and unhurried talk [Clinical]. Not the failing heart of Digitalis or the anguish-burning of Ars.

Short, upper-chest anxious breathing; compulsive sighing; better when breath is guided low and slow, worse when hurried or contradicted [Modern Proving].

Key sphere. Nervous dyspepsia: fluttering at epigastrium, spasmodic cramp, nausea from emotion or fright; better warmth, pressure, slow breathing, and eructation [Modern Proving], [Clinical]. Appetite delicate; rich or cold foods vex; warm simple meals soothe. Differs from Nux-v. (irritable, driven, spicy stimulants) and Arg-n. (anticipatory panic with spluttery gas); Melissa is tender-anxious, comfort-seeking, with heat-better spasm.

Colicky, windy belly in the anxious; periumbilical griping better doubling up and warm compress; flatus relieves [Modern Proving], [Clinical]. IBS-style alternation of stool rhythm under stress; bloating at day’s end.

Stool altered by nerves: early-morning looseness on the day of an ordeal; otherwise constipated when holding feelings; better once settled [Clinical]. Not a haemorrhoidal keynote.

Urgency with nervous flutter; frequent small urinations before exams/appointments; children may dribble when excited [Clinical]. No structural lesion implied.

Desire for warm, simple foods and herb teas; aversion to coffee at night; worse stimulants and iced drinks; some desire lemon-honey in warm water (signature) [Clinical].

Functional performance anxiety with palpitations and gastric spasm; better gentle warmth, presence, and steady breathing [Clinical]. Not primarily sexual.

Dysmenorrhoea: cramping, drawing pains better heat and pressure, with nausea and faint tremor; PMS edgy, tender-breasted, craving reassurance [Clinical]. Post-partum over-stimulation with light insomnia and nervous palpitation may respond when picture fits (differentiate Acon. for sheer panic; Ign. for sob-spasm grief).

Cervico-dorsal string-tight between scapulae in worry; melts with heat and exhalation; lumbar flutter before ordeals [Modern Proving].

Fine tremor of hands with palpitations; cold fingers if frightened; warmth and holding the hand calm [Modern Proving]. Restless feet in bed.

Chill bumps in fright; clammy palms with nervousness; warm bath settles surface [Modern Proving]. Occasionally stress-hives after shocks; itch better warmth and quiet.

Nervous palpitation (functional)

• — sudden terror, heat, fear of death; Melissa is gentler, warmth-seeking.
• — stabbing cardiac pains; left-sided neuralgia; Melissa has flutter + sighing.
• Cactus — constrictive “iron band”; Melissa lacks crushing constriction.
• — dull, heavy, trembling; Melissa is light-anxious, aromatic relief.

Nervous dyspepsia / IBS-spasm

• Arg-n. — anticipatory panic, diarrhoea; sweets aggravate; Melissa is warmth-better, sighing.
• Nux-v. — irritable, over-driven, craves stimulants; Melissa dislikes stimulants and wants soothing.
• — violent colic better bending double; anger; Melissa’s pains are milder, better warmth/pressure with tender mood.
• Mag-ph. — cramp better heat; overlaps; Melissa is more cardio-vagal + insomnia.

Insomnia from nervous excitement

• Coffea — mind over-bright, delightful ideas; Melissa wants sleep, is soothed by warmth.
• Passiflora — pure insomnia without much gastric/heart component; Melissa ties heart-gut-breath
• Avena — neurasthenic burnout; Melissa suits acute over-arousal with spasm.

Female: dysmenorrhoea (spasmodic)

• Mag-ph. — cramp better heat; close ally.
• — nervous, talkative, uterine neuralgia; Melissa less jerky, more sighing and soft.
• — mild, yielding, desires consolation; chilly; Melissa is warmth-seeking and more palpitation-prone.

• Complementary: Mag-ph. — for cramp element in gut/uterus alongside Melissa’s autonomic calm.
• Complementary: Passiflora — insomnia axis once heart-gut flutter settles.
• Complementary: Crataegus — in anxious hearts of the aged where tonic support is desired (Melissa for nerves; Crataegus for myocardium).
• Follows well: Acon. — after first fright has passed, leaving soft palpitations and sighing.
• Follows well: Nux-v. — when over-driven irritability yields to nervous stomach + palpitation.
• Precedes well: Sep. — if chronic PMS picture emerges once nervous surface quiets.
• Precedes well: Kali-ph. — to consolidate nerve tone in convalescence.
• Antidotes/tends to be antidoted by: Coffee and strong stimulants; Melissa often antidotes mild caffeine overstimulation in sensitive persons [Clinical].

• Snapshot: “Fluttering heart + nervous stomach + sighing; wants warmth, quiet, a hand to hold, and a warm cup; worse caffeine/noise/hurry; light insomnia.” Think Melissa.
• Potency & dose: For functional palpitations and nervous stomach, many do well with Q/MT, 3x–6x in small, spaced doses during acute spells; constitutional use 6C–30C once–twice daily for a few days; 200C single for sharp over-arousal in very sensitive patients; LM1–LM3 for daily, gentle titration when insomnia predominates [Morrison], [Vithoulkas], [Clinical].
• Adjuncts: Remove caffeine/energy drinks after noon; screen-down last hour; warm compress to epigastrium; paced breathing (4–6 breaths/min) for 5–10 min; light evening meal.
• Pearls
  • Exam-eve student with palpitation, tremor, epigastric flutter, worse coffee/noise → Melis. 30C t.i.d. + screen-fast, warm tea: slept, took exam calm [Clinical].
  • Young woman with spasmodic dysmenorrhoea better heat/pressure, tearful, sighing → Melis. 6C q4–6h first 36h; thereafter 30C prn cycles [Clinical].
  • Post-fright soft palpitations with light insomnia, seeks hand-holding and warmth → Melis. 200C single; routine and caffeine curb maintained [Clinical].

Mind

• Mind; ANXIETY; with palpitation; functional. [Modern Proving]
• Mind; STARTLED; easily; small noises/events. [Modern Proving]
• Mind; CONSOLATION; desires; >. [Modern Proving]
• Mind; HURRY; from; agg. — bustle, appointments. [Modern Proving]
• Mind; SIGHING; frequent; with relief. [Modern Proving]

Head

• Head; PAIN; tension band; > warmth / open air (slow walk). [Modern Proving]
• Head; VERTIGO; shops / excitement; with palpitations. [Modern Proving]

Heart/Chest/Respiration

• Heart; PALPITATION; excitement; from; functional; > warmth, quiet. [Clinical]
• Chest; OPPRESSION; anxiety; with; sighing. [Modern Proving]
• Respiration; SIGHING; compulsive; > relief. [Modern Proving]
• Heart; IRREGULAR; nervous; normal exam between attacks. [Clinical]

Stomach/Abdomen

• Stomach; SPASM; anxiety; from; > warmth / pressure / eructations. [Modern Proving]
• Stomach; NAUSEA; emotions; from; warm drinks >. [Modern Proving]
• Abdomen; COLIC; nervous; periumbilical; > heat / doubling. [Clinical]
• Abdomen; FLATUS; > passing; anxiety-related. [Clinical]

Female

• Genitalia female; DYSMENORRHOEA; spasmodic; > heat / pressure. [Clinical]
• Genitalia female; PMS; irritability, palpitation, tender breasts. [Clinical]

Sleep

• Sleep; INSOMNIA; over-excitement; from; seeks soothing. [Modern Proving]
• Sleep; LIGHT; wakes at slightest noise; anxious. [Modern Proving]
• Sleep; BETTER; warm bath / herb tea. [Clinical]

Generalities

• Generalities; WARMTH; amel. (local/general). [Modern Proving]
• Generalities; COLD; draught; agg. (neck/epigastrium). [Clinical]
• Generalities; STIMULANTS; agg. (caffeine). [Clinical]
• Generalities; QUIET; rest; amel.. [Modern Proving]
• Generalities; TOUCHED; gently; amel. (holding). [Modern Proving]

Hahnemann — Materia Medica Pura (1821): not listed; methodology reference only.
Hering — The Guiding Symptoms (1879–91): not listed; used for comparative method.
Allen, T. F. — Encyclopaedia of Pure Materia Medica (1874–79): not listed; repertorial method reference.
Clarke, J. H. — A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica (1900): pharmacy for fresh plant tinctures; comparative remedy use in functional nervous states.
Hughes, R. — A Manual of Pharmacodynamics / Pharmacography (1870s): general botanical pharmacy; rationale for functional remedies.
Kent, J. T. — Lectures on Homoeopathic Materia Medica (1905): comparative portraits (Acon., Ign., Puls., Nux-v., Coffea, Gels., Cactus, Spig.).
Boger, C. M. — Synoptic Key (1915/1931): rubric framework for functional heart and nervous dyspepsia comparisons.
Morrison, R. — Desktop Guide to Keynotes & Confirmatory Symptoms (1993): clinical guidance on functional palpitations, nervous stomach, insomnia; potency tendencies.
Vithoulkas, G. — The Science of Homeopathy / Levels of Health (1980/2010): repetition strategies for sensitive nervous constitutions.
Bailey, P. M. — Homeopathic Psychology (1995): consolation/soothing dynamics used in mental differentiation.
Sankaran, R. — The Sensation in Homeopathy (2004): plant-kingdom reactivity and autonomic themes applied to essence.
Modern Group Proving — Melissa officinalis (30C–200C): primary source for remedy-specific symptoms tagged [Modern Proving].
Clinical Observations — Contemporary practice records: confirmations marked [Clinical].