This tender bushy perennial herb, about 60cm (24 in) high, has a hairy stem, dark green oval leaves and small white or pink flowers.Originally from the Mediterranean region, the word “Origanum” is from the Greek word ‘orosganos’ meaning ‘joy of the mountain’ and was given to newlyweds as token of good fortune. It was a very popular herb amongst the Greeks and widely used in medicine and perfumes. In the 16 century, it was strewn on the floor to mask unpleasant smells.

Marjoram Essential Oil is extracted from the fresh and dried leaves and flowering tops of the plant by steam distillation and yields 0.5 – 3 %.

The therapeutic properties of marjoram oil are analgesic, anti-spasmodic, anaphrodisiac, antiseptic, antiviral, bactericidal, carminative, cephalic, cordial, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, fungicidal, hypotensive, laxative, nervine, sedative, stomachic, vasodilator and vulnerary.

The main chemical constituents are sabinene, a-terpinene, y-terpinene, p-cymene, terpinolene, linalool, cis-sabinene hydrate, linalyl acetate, terpinen-4-ol and y-terpineol.

Marjoram Essential Oil can be beneficial in cases of nervous tension, respiratory congestion, painful muscles and joints, digestive problems and menstrual disorders.

Marjoram Essential Oil has a warming action and calms emotions, relieves anxiety as well as stress and helps to calms hyperactive people. It has good muscle relaxant properties and the pain killing properties are useful for rheumatic pains as well as sprains, strains and spasms, as well as swollen joints and painful muscles. It soothes the digestive system and helps with cramps, indigestion, constipation and flatulence and has a beneficial action on colds, sinusitis, bronchitis and asthma. As a general relaxant, marjoram oil is used for headaches, migraines and insomnia and although it can diminish sexual desire, it is great for treating delayed, painful or scanty monthly periods as well as menstrual cramps.

In vapor therapy, marjoram oil can be used for asthma, bronchitis, poor circulation, coughs, physical exhaustion, headaches, tension, insomnia, sinusitis, anxiety, nervous tension and stress.

As a blended massage oil or diluted in the bath, marjoram oil can be used for asthma, arthritis, back pain, bronchitis, poor circulation, colds, coughs, detoxification, physical exhaustion, fatigue, headaches, tension, heartburn, insomnia, painful periods, migraine, muscular pains and spasms, rheumatism, sinusitis, anxiety, stress and grief.

Since it is a greatly warming oil it is useful to counter chilblains and to disperse bruises.

Although essential oils blend well with one another, marjoram oil blends particularly well with Lavender, Cypress, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Bergamot, Eucalyptus and Tea tree.