Essential Oil Database

Photo: Thymus Mastichina

Sweet Marjoram

Essential Oil

Botanical Name:

Thymus Mastichina

Family Name:

Lamiaceae

Source Country:

Spain

Plant Parts Used:

Leaves and flowers

Extraction Method:

Steam distillation

Major Constituents:

terpinenes, terpineol, sabinene, linalool, carvacrol, linalyl acetate, ocimene, cadinene, citral, eugenol.

Botanical Description

Photo: Thymus Mastichina

Thymus Mastichina is native to Asia, and is widely cultivated in the Mediterranean. It is perennial plant commonly known as Marjoram growing up to 60 cm tall. Marjoram has dark green oval leaves and small grey to white flowers growing from hairy stems.

Marjoram has traditionally been used as a culinary herb in many European and Middle Eastern cuisines.

Photo: Thymus Mastichina

Fragrance

Marjoram essential oil has a sweet, pungent herb, camphor like, slightly spicy scent.

Marjoram essential oil is a pale yellow to amber liquid.

Marjoram blends well with bergamot, cedarwood, chamomile, cypress, eucalyptus, juniper, lavender, rosemary, tea tree and ylang ylang.

Traditional Therapeutic Uses

Photo: Thymus Mastichina

Properties: analgesic, anti-infectious, antispasmodic, antiviral, astringent, bactericidal, carminative, diuretic, expectorant, fungicide, laxative, nervine, stomachic, tonic

Aids: high blood pressure, digestion, immune system, sleep.

Alleviates: anxiety, asthma, bronchitis, bruising, chilblains, constipation, diarrhoea, flatulence, painful periods, rhinitis, sinusitis, stress, ulcers.

Marjoram has traditionally been used to ease stress.

Safety Data

Avoid use if pregnant.

Disclaimer:

All healing uses, magical uses and metaphysical definitions are provided as a means of education, do not imply a guarantee of effect, and may not be complete or accurate. Those suffering from illness should consult with their General Practitioner in the first instance. Aromatherapy is a holistic complementary healthcare practice and should be carried out by a suitably qualified aromatherapy practitioner.

Pure, medical grade, essential oils & absolutes are for use in aromatherapy and other disciplines of natural healing; and for their fragrance. Essential oils should not be ingested, and avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Pregnant women should not self administer essential oils. Do not administer essential oils to babies. Do not apply undiluted essential oil to the skin and wash hands after use and before visiting lavatory. Do not use essential oils while in a sauna, steam room, or other humid environment; or while engaged in strenuous exercise.

Massage oil should consist of no more than 3% essential oil(s) to 97% carrier or fixed oil. Absolutes should be blended with no less than 98.5% carrier oil. When adding essential oil to bath water do not use more than 4 drops.

Store essential oils at low room temperature, in a dark place, out of the reach of children, pets and away from foodstuffs.