Marjoram (Origanum marjorana)

A member of the extensive Labiatae Family, Marjoram is a herb that is frequently used in cooking for its spicy flavour and beneficial effect on digestion. The essential oil is clear with a spicy-woody aroma and is extracted from the whole herb by steam distillation.

Uses in Natural Skin Care:

Few cosmetic uses are recorded although Marjoram has toning properties.

Traditional Medicinal Uses:

In Traditional Medicine, Marjoram has been used as a stimulant and tonic and is used against asthma, indigestion, headache, rheumatism, and toothache. Marjoram has been employed in the treatment of cancer. The plant also exhibits some antifungal activity (Purdue University, 1997).

Marjoram has been recognised as a smooth muscle relaxant with an effect on all organ systems. It has a profoundly sedative effect and is said to relieve muscular and menstrual cramps and spasms.

Marjoram oil (Essential oil) is predominately 'yang' and sedative. It warms, relieves spasm, aids digestion and menstruation, and lowers high blood pressure; it stimulates the parasympathetic nervous function and lowers the sympathetic function, resulting in general vaso-dilation. Most of its functions centre around this action on the autonomic nervous system.

Marjoram can be found in the following Wildcrafted Herbal Products:

Wildcrafted Mellow Mood Massage Oil Blend and can be added to Bath oil blends to ease nervous tension, insomnia, restlessness, irritability and where there is ‘Psychosomatic’ symptoms that manifest as pain, muscle twitching and cramping.