Today’s featured essential oil is a good friend when a restless mind
won’t let you sleep or your muscles feel achy.
Her warming, soothing nature is a gentle balm that
helps soothe grief and release the past.

  • Updated on June 14, 2022  for accuracy and relevance.
  • This blog post may contain affiliate links which means I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase using them. The commission is paid by the retailer at no extra cost to you. 

Essential Oil of Sweet Marjoram

Origanum majorana

Marjoram

The Foundations

Important Name Distinction: Do not confuse this Sweet Marjoram with Spanish marjoram (Thymus mastichina) which has very different properties.

Geographical Source: Oil-producing countries include France, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Germany.

Plant Part:  The essential oil is extracted from the flower tops by steam distillation.

Extraction: Marjoram essential oil is extracted from the flowering tops of the herb by steam distillation.

Oil Characteristics: The oil is thin and watery with a pale yellow color.

Aroma: Personally, Marjoram doesn’t “wow” me aromatically.  However, in a blend, it adds a lovely, warm, almost camphoraceous element, to a blend.

Marjoram Essential Oil Chemistry

Primary chemical components are monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, monoterpenes and esters

Therapeutic Properties of Marjoram Essential Oil

  • Can help settle hyperactivity as it is a CNS sedative (central nervous system)
  • Provides pain relief
  • Cephalic – Helps to clear the head
  • Warming – warms the area of application

Applications:  (Here are some helpful blending guidelines)

  • Add a few drops in any blend designed to warm sore muscles and increase local circulation.
  • Add 3 drops in the bedroom diffuser to help encourage sleep
  • Blend in unscented cream for menstrual cramps with Bergamot.
  • Steam inhalation: will clear the chest and ease breathing. Use one drop. Blends well with: Lavender, Sweet Orange, Bergamot, Roman Chamomile, Cypress, Cedarwood, Tea Tree and Eucalyptus. 

Marjoram Essential Oil Safety

Non-toxic, non-irritating.

A Recipe with Marjoram Essential Oil

Sleepytime Diffuser Blend

My favorite way to use Marjoram, aside from in the massage room, is to calm my mind when it’s overactive and I can’t sleep.  If I’m feeling wound up before bed, I’ll often diffuse Marjoram essential oil with lavender and sweet orange next to my bed while reading. Before I know it, my eyelids to get heavy!

Ingredients:

  • 3 drops Sweet Marjoram Essential Oil (Origanum majorana)
    2 drops Lavender Essential Oil (Lavandula latifolia)
    1 drop Sweet Orange Essential Oil (Citrus sinensis)

Subtle Properties (vibrational and energetic) of Marjoram Essential Oil

According to author Joni Keim, Marjoram helps you experience and integrate the peacefulness that comes from emotional healing, especially of grief and loss.  Wow.  That’s huge.   We experience loss in so many ways in our lives; a divorce, subtle changes in friendships, our jobs, our youth, our children growing up, the death of someone close, and even our own levels of energy as we age.  Marjoram can help you move through the experience of your grief and help you reach the other side.  Acceptance.  Peace. 

If you feel drawn to Marjoram, you might want to ask if you are grieving something in your life.  If so, what is it and is it time to let it go?

My AromaticWisdom SoulCollage Card for Sweet Marjoram SoulCollageMarjoram

  • I bring in light and warmth to comfort your emotional wounds
  • I settle your restless mind so you can experience inner peace.
  • I help you release your loss and move on.

 

 

Where to Buy Marjoram Essential Oil

Suggested Essential Oil Suppliers – with GC/MS reports

Lotus Garden Botanicals

Rocky Mountain Oils

Plant Therapy

Suggested Essential Oil Suppliers – without GC/MS reports

Aura Cacia 

Amrita Essential Oils

Starwest Botanicals

Edens Garden

Want to learn about more warming essential oils? Check out the Essential Oil Profiles below:

Ginger Essential Oil Profile Spotlight

Black Pepper Essential Oil Profile Spotlight

 

References:

1. Keim, Joni, Daily Aromatherapy
2. Battaglia S. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. 2nd edition, The International Centre of Holistic Aromatherapy, Australia, 20033. 
3. Keville, K. Aromatherapy, A Complete Guide to the Healing Art, The Crossing press, USA, 19954. Price S. 
4. Aromatherapy for Health Professionals, 2nd edition, Churchill Livingstone, 1999

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