Essential NoseMarjoram
Sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana) essential oil is rich in oxygenated monoterpenes, principally terpinen-4-ol, sabinene hydrate, sabinene, gamma-terpinene, and linalool, which together account for its well-documented antimicrobial and biofilm-inhibitory properties.[1] In vitro studies on rat and rabbit smooth muscle confirm a direct myorelaxant (antispasmodic) effect, providing a mechanistic basis for its traditional use in relieving abdominal cramps and infantile colic.[2]
Marjoram
Origanum majorana
- Also Known As
- Sweet Marjoram, Knotted Marjoram
- Family
- Herbal
- Perfumery Note
- Middle
- Intensity
- Medium
- Extraction
- Steam Distillation
- Plant Parts
- Flowering tops
- Origins
- Egypt, France, Tunisia
- Effect
- Sleep & Relaxation, Grounding & Centering
- Aroma
- Herbal, Warm, Woody
- Applications
- Aromatherapy, Massage, Medicinal, Culinary
- Price
- $$$$Not a true marjoram (closer to thyme/oregano); grows wild and yields oil easily
Sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana) essential oil is rich in oxygenated monoterpenes, principally terpinen-4-ol, sabinene hydrate, sabinene, gamma-terpinene, and linalool, which together account for its well-documented antimicrobial and biofilm-inhibitory properties.[1] In vitro studies on rat and rabbit smooth muscle confirm a direct myorelaxant (antispasmodic) effect, providing a mechanistic basis for its traditional use in relieving abdominal cramps and infantile colic.[2]
Marjoram Spanish
Thymus mastichina
- Also Known As
- Spanish Marjoram, Spanish Wood Marjoram
- Family
- Herbal
- Perfumery Note
- Top
- Intensity
- Medium
- Extraction
- Steam Distillation
- Plant Parts
- Flowering tops, Leaves
- Origins
- Spain, Portugal, Morocco
- Effect
- Respiratory Support, Focus & Mental Clarity
- Aroma
- Camphoraceous, Herbal, Fresh
- Applications
- Aromatherapy, Massage, Medicinal
- Price
- $$$$A specialty thyme-family oil grown mainly in Iberia; lower production volume than true marjoram keeps it mid-priced
Marjoram Spanish (Thymus mastichina) is botanically a thyme species rather than a true Origanum, and its GC-MS profile reflects this: 1,8-cineole dominates at 50-61%, with linalool, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene and alpha-terpineol as secondary constituents, producing a far more camphoraceous, cineole-forward profile than sweet marjoram's terpinen-4-ol chemistry. Essential oils from wild Portuguese Thymus species sharing this cineole/linalool chemistry showed antimicrobial activity against E. coli, S. aureus and Candida albicans.[3]
References
- [1]Origanum majorana Essential Oil — A Review of Its Chemical Profile and Pesticide Activity — Kakouri E et al. Life (Basel), 2022
- [2]Myorelaxant Activity of essential oil from Origanum majorana L. on rat and rabbit — Makrane H et al. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2019
- [3]Antimicrobial activity of essential oils isolated from Portuguese endemic species of Thymus - Faleiro ML, Miguel MG, Ladeiro F, Venancio F, Tavares R, Brito JC, Figueiredo AC, Barroso JG, Pedro LG. Letters in Applied Microbiology, 2003