Sweet Marjoram
Latin name: Origanum majorana
Aroma Description: Fresh-medicinal, sweet, herbaceous scent
Therapeutic benefits
- Like many herb and spice oils, it is calming and warming and can help encourage relaxation before sleep.
- Can help provide comfort during times of seasonal illnesses.
- When diluted in a carrier oil and massaged onto the abdomen, can help provide relief from menstrual pain.
- Also excellent for providing relief for achy and painful muscles.
Kidsafe?
Yes! Marjoram Sweet IS KidSafe.
Dilution instructions:
Dilute to 3%-5% in your favorite carrier oil and massage onto areas of concern.
Diffusion instructions:
For a relaxing and calming blend before bed, diffuse 2 drops Frankincense Carteri, 2 drops Orange Sweet and 1 drop Marjoram Sweet.
Oils to blend with:
Carrot Seed, Coriander Seed, Cypress, Dill Weed, Helichrysum Italicum, Lemongrass, Mandarin, Nutmeg, Orange Sweet, Sandalwood Australian, Tea Tree and Thyme Thymol.
Check out all our other essential oil spotlight blog posts by heading to our Spotlight Page!
Native to southern Europe and the Near East, Sweet Marjoram (Origanum majorana) may only be on your radar as a culinary herb. But actually, it’s so much more. Its generic name, Origanum, derives from the Greek words oros and ganos, which means “joy of the mountains [1].” Isn’t that beautiful? Who wouldn’t want an essential oil in their collection that, for thousands of years, has been referred to as the joy of the mountains?
And why did ancient humans classify this plant as something so delightful? It’s likely because of all the benefits Sweet Marjoram had to offer them. Traditionally, Marjoram had great symbolic value. It was closely associated with the Greek goddess of love, beauty, and fertility: Aphrodite. The scent of the herb is said to have come from her gentle touch. Young married couples would have a crown of Marjoram placed on their heads as a symbol of love and honor [1].
It was also an important funeral herb. Marjoram would be placed or planted near the graves of the deceased to help bring them peace as they journeyed forward. Leaves and branches of this herb have even been found in ancient Egyptian burial sites [2].
Traditional medicinal uses included ointments and salves meant to warm and strengthen the nerves. Its aroma was thought to keep a person healthy and help with all sorts of aches and pains. Because of its cultural and medicinal importance, it was once one of the most widely grown herbs in Europe [2].
Today, Sweet Marjoram can still make a positive mark in our lives. It’s a fresh, medicinal, herbaceous, sweet smelling essential oil that is steam distilled from the entire flowering plant while still fresh. Check out our top 4 favorite ways to use it.
Calling All Ladies!
Us ladies have concerns, lady concerns. PMS symptoms can strike at any time, taking over our emotions, cramping our stomachs, messing with our nerves, and just making us feel flat-out miserable. Sweet Marjoram offers both physical and emotional benefits to help combat the monthly bummer we have to go through.
For stomach issues, apply Sweet Marjoram topically. Dilute it to 2-5% in your favorite carrier oil or lotion and gently massage it onto your stomach in a clockwise fashion. If you can, blend Sweet Marjoram with other oils known to support menstrual discomforts, such as Clary Sage and Davana.
This will help with cramps and other digestive issues that can come up during this time.
When your mind is wheeling with emotions, Sweet Marjoram can provide some support. Its relaxing and warming aroma is particularly supportive of tension associated with feelings of anxiety and nervous exhaustion. It’s known to help ease emotional cravings and calm excessive thinking while promoting feelings of self-love [1].
Goodbye, Gas!
Not only can Sweet Marjoram help with menstrual cramps, but it’s really great for supporting your overall digestive system. Because you know when your stomach is in a funk, it’s just hard to make your day the best it can be. Sweet Marjoram is excellent for issues like flatulence, diarrhea, indigestion, and constipation [3]. Dilute it and use topically as mentioned above, or blend it with other digestive supporting essential oils. Dill Weed, Ginger Root CO2, and Peppermint all make great additions to Sweet Marjoram blends designed to help soothe stomachs.
Comforting and Calming
Sweet Marjoram is thought to encourage tender and gentle feelings, especially in the face of a grief-stricken heart [3]. It helps bring feelings of peace after a loss, which is a likely reason for its traditional use as a funeral herb. And when feelings of anxiety, agitation, and sleeplessness occur, Sweet Marjoram can help with that, too.
To make a bedtime spray to support a good night of sleep, add 3 ½ tbsp of water, ½ tbsp of Everclear, 10 drops of Sweet Marjoram, 10 drops of Lavender, and 20 drops of Mandarin to a 2 oz bottle. Shake well and spray on your pillow before going to bed! Since this recipe does not contain a preservative, please store it in the fridge and use within two weeks.
Perfect Post-Workout
If you’re a workout enthusiast, Sweet Marjoram is a must-have in your EO collection. It helps boost post-workout recovery by soothing tired muscles and minimizing discomfort from inflammation. Sweet Marjoram is known to dilate arteries and small blood vessels, which makes it great for a massage to support joint and muscle pain. It’s is also helpful for symptoms from arthritis, bruises, and rheumatism [3].
Try this blend to help support your body’s natural recovery process after an especially tough workout: add 5 drops of Cardamom, 5 drops of Frankincense Serrata, 5 drops of German Chamomile CO2, and 3 drops of Sweet Marjoram to an ounce of your favorite carrier oil. Apply this blend to the areas of concern for quick relief. Or, check out our Flame Fighter Roller Blend to take advantage of the benefit Sweet Marjoram has on sore muscles.
And since Sweet Marjoram is so good at calming and soothing our tired muscles, that also makes it a wonderful essential oil to use before going to sleep. Because if you’ve been working hard all day it can be hard to enjoy a full night of restful sleep. This doesn’t just apply to exercise or intense physical work, either. For those of us who spend too much time slumped in front of a computer for work, the muscles in our neck and shoulders may also need some help unwinding from the tension. Try a warm bath before bed by diluting Sweet Marjoram to 2% in a body wash. Then add the mixture to your bath, sit back, and enjoy!
For more blends incorporating Sweet Marjoram for inflammation and discomfort, head over to these recipes:
Some more things you should know about Sweet Marjoram…
Love Sweet Marjoram? Don’t forget to spread the word on our awesome Safe Essential Oil Recipes group on Facebook. With thousands of active essential oil enthusiasts, you’re going to love the community and inspiration!
Also, if you have any questions about Sweet Marjoram Essential Oil, make sure to reach out to our awesome team of aromatherapists at [email protected]
Sources:
[1] Mojay, G. (2005). Aromatherapy for healing the spirit: A guide to restoring emotional and mental balance through essential oils. London: Gaia. Pgs. 94-95.
[2] Worwood, V. (2016). The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, 25th Anniversary Edition. Novato, CA: New World Library. Pg. 603
[3] Purchon, N., & Cantele, L. (2014). The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, 25th Anniversary Edition. (Novato, CA: New World Library. Pgs. 81-82.
Just found the article! Cant wait to try it for monthly cycle, and aches and pains. Plan to pair it with pine for a stuffy head diffuser!
Does anyone else think the plant itself smell like lotion? I absolutely love it. The essential oil doesn’t smell the same.
I purchased this to make PT’s achy leg cream from their blog, and now seeing the other ways it’s helpful, I’m even more excited that I got it. I like the smell. I realize scent is very subjective, but the best way I can describe it is that it smells a little like a combination of tea leaves & mild herbs with an underlying sweetness.
Wish I had ordered this sooner. Heard good things about it. Thank you for the info. Just ordered mine.
I purchased to create my own relaxation oils for when working from home. My son has digestion issues and glad to see it could work to assist him. Hope to share also with my sister. Thanks, PT, for providing affordable, good oils and great CS!
I knew little about marjoram and was not using it regularly until recently. I began diffusing it, mixing with a woody or savory oil for a spicy bump. It has been very nice in creating a pleasant atmosphere. I plan to use in topical blends as well.
This is one of my new oils. I’m looking forward to learning how to use it.
Wow! I didn’t realize all the things marjoram sweet can help manage in addition to being a common recommendation for menstruation related concerns. Thank you for sharing them all here!
Appreciate learning that Sweet Marjoram helps bring feelings of peace after a loss. Sometimes we do not know how to help or ease someone’s pain, this is perfect. Thank you for the article.
Just received this oil! Cannot wait to try for cramps! Thanks for all the info!
This is high on my wishlist! Thanks for the spotlight, I’ll definitely be consulting this article again once I add it to my collection!
I have heard that Marjoram Sweet was good for you and have owned it for a while, but didn’t know what to do with it. Thanks for all this great info. I didn’t know it could do so much and was so versatile.
This oil is next on my list. This is a great informational blog. Thank you Plant Therapy.
I just received this and can’t wait to try it!!!
I am so impressed by the benefits provided by Marjoram Sweet. Definitely my next purchased item besides Coriander! I`ll use it for my achy muscles.
Thanks — going to try Marjoram for menstrual cramps topically. Would it be too much to diffuse at the same time?
Hello Terri! No diffusing should be fine at the same time!
Thanks you for this blog… I just purchased marjoram sweet and now I know so many ways I can use it
Thank you. I think this oil will be next on my list. Sounds like a perfect one for me – calming, helpful for tummy and period issues.
So glad to read this blog as I didn’t know all these uses for sweet marjoram. Definitely trying some of my new knowledge. Thanks PT!!
I didn’t know it had such helpful uses-thanks!
These are great tips. Thank you for the information!
thank you for all this info! My order is on the way & looking forward to blending it with Clary Sage for cramps.
This is the oil that converted my husband to an oil believer. It helped him with some sinus congestion from seasonal allergies he was dealing with. I blended it with some other oils when I needed some emotional support. I love reading about other uses in this blog. Thanks!
Okay, here is another EO that I must have, but don’t yet. My stash keeps growing and there are so many oils that I am convinced I still need. Thanks for the info and the opportunity to obtain at a discount.
So many uses for this oil!!! It is a must have in any collection!!
The blog posts provide so much useful and helpful information.
I bought this oil because I always saw it in pain relief blends. I did not realize it’s also good to help with menstrual cramps or with sleeping! My son has recently started having nightmares, so I’m curious if this will help him. Which is more effective, doing a pillow spray or diffusing in his room? Or does it differ for every person?
Hi Lisa! This is different for every person, but for nightmares sometimes diffusing intermittently all night long can be helpful.
Your blogs always inspire!! Thank you!! I’m excited to already have this oil from you and can’t wait to try your flame fighter roller blend!!
I bought this a while ago…good to point out what it is good for…I especially want to try the Marjoram/Cypress blend for calming mentioned by EaF
Marjoram has such a beautiful, fresh aroma. I’ve been using it mixed with other oils for sore joints/muscles but will definitely try it in my diffuser with either lavender or cypress
I think this blogpost may have tipped me over the edge for buying this oil. Allergies are KILLING me this year, so I’m open to trying this. Would it still be effective for allergies if diffused?
Absolutely! Diffusing is one of the best ways to help with allergies.
I just got this oil and had no idea it had so many uses! Thank you for such great information.
Sweet marjoram is my soul mate oil 😀 I use it with PT’s peppermint lotion to soothe my restless legs. So lovely and calming; i bought the 30 ml bottle w the spotlight code…love to stay stocked up w this one!
I really like these ideas. This is one reason that I PT so much! I can always use new ideas,
Such an under appreciated oil. I love it for itchy winter legs in unscented lotion, mixed with Roman chamomile and lavender.
After reading this blog, I plan to add sweet marjoram to my oil collection for the inflammation and relax properties.
I love Sweet Marjoram and use it in a recipe for Muscle Tension. Thanks for all the info.
It is lovely by itself – so calming. I love freshening up the kitchen with a few drops of Sweet Marjoram in a spray bottle. A little goes a long way.
I might give this a try! I don’t know what I did/ate, but I’m needing help with digestion.
Oooh! Based off this post it seems like sweet marjoram oil will be right up my alley. I can’t wait to try it!
I mix it with Cypress and diffuse for an all-around feel-good blend. Sometimes, I will put these two in my kitchen hand soap.
A lot of great ideas on this blog. I bought Sweet Marjoram some time ago, but have not used it much. I glad I read this post. I will be adding it to a roller to use after my workouts. Thanks for the ideas.
My daughter loves this in her diffuser at night with lavender. Going to have my teenager try it for cramps. Thank you for the wonderful info
LOL… I just bought this oil over the weekend. It should be delivered today. I look forward to adding it to my kid safe calming blend.
Thank you! Going to add this to my next order for sure!
Thank you for these ideas. I have not considered these blends.
Disappointed that the spotlight code won’t work on the organic version this time.
Thank you for letting us know! I passed on this information to the right people so hopefully, this will be resolved soon! Also, feel free to reach out to our amazing Customer Service Team at [email protected] and I’m sure they will be able to help you out!
I didn’t know that Marjoram makes cute little purple flowers! Can’t wait to try it.
Sweet marjoram is one of those overlooked jewels! It works wonders for inflammation and i love the smell. Thank you for this blog post, it brought to light many other great uses i didnt k ow about
Thank you for the information on this oil. Ill have to try this oil begore bed time for my muscle cramps!
I absolutely love the smell of marjoram sweet. I totally agree that is is comforting and calming, in an uplifting kind of way. I didn’t realize that it was good for muscle soreness and seasonal allergies as well. Can’t wait to try it for these purposes. Informative post, PT!