Soothing sweet marjoram essential oil, found in PHYTO5’s Metal element line of skincare, has traditionally been formulated into remedies for acne, psoriasis, eczema and for rashes stemming from allergies, however because it is so rich in antioxidants which fight free-radical damage, it has the ability to naturally fight premature signs of aging when formulated in skincare. It is one of the few essential oils able to both strengthen and relax.
Marjoram is a tonic, anti-fungal, antispasmodic, analgesic, sedative, antiseptic, antiviral, and bactericidal. It is used in skincare formulations for its refreshing restorative action and its sweet camphoraceous scent. It is fortifying, comforting, soothing, and warming.
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Marjoram’s generic name ‘origanum’ comes from the Greek oros and ganos meaning joy of the mountains. Its essence helps to achieve mental calm, balance, self-assurance, integrity, courage, confidence, focus, perseverance, restoration, and a sense that all is well. It can help counteract anxiety, hysteria, hostility, self-isolation, mental strain, tantrums, anger, irritability, hyperactivity, and weak will. In terms of its tonifying and strengthening influence, marjoram may be used for chronic lethargy and nervous exhaustion and is particularly helpful for conditions where tiredness may be characterized by anxiety or insomnia.
Marjoram has been widely used since ancient times for both medicinal and culinary purposes. The ancient Egyptians used it to make perfumes, unguents and medicines. The Greeks used it as a funeral herb planting it on graves to bring spiritual peace to the departed, but additionally then and now, marjoram has been found to assist persons grieving to accept their deep loss.
A symbol of love and honor, the ancient Greeks also used marjoram flowers to crown young married couples. It was associated with Aphrodite, goddess of love, beauty and fertility. In England’s Tudor times the mere fragrance of sweet marjoram was believed to help to maintain one’s health.
Chinese medicine finds that marjoram tonifies and circulates chi energy. Its chi moving action results in very distinct antispasmodic and analgesic properties such as for muscular strains, stiffness, spasm, aches and pain, nervous spasm, intestinal colic, and osteoarthritis. It stimulates respiratory and circulatory function and can serve as an expectorant to relieve coughs and colic.
Smoothing the flow of chi energy in the chest, marjoram can also be used to calm and regulate the heart especially for indications of palpitations, tachycardia and hypertension.
Marjoram is probably the best aromatic herb for women, because it naturally helps regulate painful menstrual periods and challenges dealing with menopausal symptoms.
Marjoram is a superior herb for treating bad breath. By chewing and holding three leaves in the mouth for several minutes and then swallowing, marjoram keeps the mouth fresh and clean all day. The oil penetrates into the gums and creates saliva excretion that cleans up bad bacteria in the dental cavities which is why the herb gains the name sweet marjoram.
Chinese medicine also finds marjoram to be innately balancing. Its sweet, nourishing and balancing quality combined with its regulating effect on mental functions associates marjoram primarily with the Earth element (beginning October 20). When Earth type people are out of balance by allowing themselves to become depleted or subjected to high levels of stress, they tend to overthink, worry, and feel unsupported by others in their lives. Marjoram helps to calm their tendency to excessive thinking, ease emotional neediness and promote their innate capacity for inner self-nurturing. It nourishes the place from where emotional neediness springs helping one to shift from self-absorption to giving, literally demonstrating its namesake, joy of the mountains.
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Sources:
Worwood, Valerie Ann. The Fragrant Mind: Aromatherapy for Personality, Mind, Mood and Emotion. Bantam, 1997.
Yellowdawn, T. H. The Sun, Human & Food: A Self-Treatment and Practice with Natural Food. Author House, 2011.
Mojay, Gabriel. Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit: a Guide to Restoring Emotional and Mental Balance through Essential Oils. Gaia, 2005.