04/21/2025
The Rarity and Art of True Inula Graveolens:
At Melissa’s Botanicals, we are proud to carry one of the rarest and most powerful essential oils in the world: Inula graveolens. This oil is so uncommon that most companies don’t even attempt to offer it. It takes time, deep relationships, and serious dedication to even find a source — and that’s just the beginning.
Inula grows wild in specific regions like Corsica and Morocco, and working with distillers in those areas requires years of trust and persistence. Not only is it rare to find a distiller willing to process this plant, but locating certified organic or even biodynamic Inula? That’s another level of impossibility. And yet, even among the very few who manage to source it, almost no one has what we do: the green Inula — the vibrant, emerald-colored oil that has not oxidized.
This green hue is a hallmark of purity and meticulous craft. It means the distillation was done with precision — either in stainless steel or copper, under low temperature and low pressure, for a short duration to preserve the most fragile and therapeutic esters and sesquiterpenes. It also means that the oil was stored immediately in airtight, UV-protected containers, and in some cases — like with our distiller Bernhard Nusstein in Munich, Germany — nitrogen gas is added post-distillation to halt the oxidation process completely. This is the kind of care typically reserved for medicinal oils, and it makes all the difference.
Just like every other true medicinal essential oil, the quality of Inula depends on several crucial factors:
• Plant identification: Correct species and chemotype are essential.
• Soil composition: The terroir affects both the chemistry and vitality of the plant.
• Topography: Altitude and exposure to sun dramatically impact oil constituents.
• Temperature and pressure during distillation: These must be carefully controlled to protect delicate molecules.
• Storage: Immediate and intelligent handling post-distillation — including protection from light, air, and heat — preserves the therapeutic quality of the oil.
Most competitors, if they carry Inula at all, sell a clear, yellow version sourced from Morocco — an oil that’s been oxidized and has lost much of its medicinal complexity. Our green Inula, on the other hand, is the result of decades-long partnerships and a deep commitment to quality at every level.
Therapeutic Uses of Inula graveolens:
Our emerald green Inula is a classic in the world of French medical aromatherapy — known for its deep-cleansing action on the bronchial tissue. It's one of the strongest essential oils for clearing out old, stagnant, colored mucous and deeply embedded phlegm from the lungs. It’s powerfully antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic, making it the go-to choice when you need a serious anti-tussive (anti-cough) agent.
For best results, pair Inula with supportive oils such as:
• Eucalyptus globulus or radiata for bronchial dilation and strong antiviral activity (thanks to cineole, menthol, and eucalyptol).
• Phenolic oils like thyme (thymol and linalol types) and clove to directly address the bacterial or viral root of infection.
• Together, they form a synergistic protocol for acute and chronic respiratory conditions.
A beautiful way to deliver these oils is by making an herbal honey blend. To do this:
• Add 7 drops of each essential oil (Inula, eucalyptus, thyme, clove, etc.) into 1/2 cup of raw, unfiltered honey.
• Take 1/2 teaspoon every 2 hours, allowing it to dissolve slowly in the mouth.
• Always rest and drop into your parasympathetic state (rest-and-digest) to allow healing to take place.
In addition, do 5 deep, conscious breaths of Melissa’s Botanicals Breathe Easy, a French medical-style inhalation blend designed to clear airways, soothe inflammation, and boost respiratory resilience.
And here’s a tip from the field:
If you've ever had a curiously strong Altoid, you've already experienced what one drop of peppermint oil can do. That sudden clarity in your breathing? That’s peppermint acting as a bronchodilator and vasodilator.
For a direct sinus-opening effect:
• Take one drop of peppermint oil on your thumb.
• Press your thumb into the roof of your mouth, then close your mouth and use your tongue to rub the oil into the palate, back and forth, while breathing in.
• This drives the vapors into your sinus cavity — which sits just above the roof of the mouth — opening the sinuses like nothing else can.
This whole protocol — Inula for deep bronchial work, eucalyptus and thyme for antivirals, peppermint for instant relief, and honey as the delivery vehicle — creates a multi-layered approach to healing the respiratory system at every level.
