White Lotus Aromatics Newsletter - Sweet Marjoram, January 31, 2002
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Sweet Marjoram
Dear Friends- For those of you have an interest in Natural Perfumery there is a wonderful book out which really captures the spirit of this ancient art and craft. The name of the book is Alchemy and Essence. It is written by Mandy Aftel who by good fortune lives near us. Suzanne is taking an intensive series of classes on creating natural perfumes along with 7 other lovely people and it is a total joy and happiness for everyone. Actually 3 of the students were over today in the afternoon doing olfactory explorations of the 200 plus attars, absolutes, essential oils, CO2 extracts, etc in stock. Such times are very precious in this life because everyone's heart is filled with the simple and pure joy of appreciating the wonders of the natural world and then figuring out how they might be combined to bring a ray of sunshine into the lives of others. The oils themselves when sniffed with concentration and appreciation naturally open up doors of creativity dwelling in the heart and then laughter bubbles forth in a natural expression of gladness for being alive and surrounded with so much beauty.
Mandy has kindly agreed to share her thoughts on oils highlighted in newsletters
to appear in the future. She will be sharing her thoughts as to odor intensity,
the basic qualities of the oils in terms of top, heart and base notes, what
are possible combinations, etc. So that is something that should delight those
of you who love finding ways to blend oils into exquisite creations. In the
months to come Mandy will be teaching more and more and will be glad to consider
invitations to share her precious knowledge with folks throughout the USA who
are interested in this topic. She can be reached through her web site at:
http://www.aftelier.com/
A last reminder about the preorder for organic oils.Today is the last day
to receive your order. It is a wonderful list that has developed and I am always
very excited to do this. If you would like to understand a bit more about the
process involved in getting a crop certified organic it would be worth looking
at the web site listed below.
http://www.napoleon-co.com/newproducts/organic.htm
Reading this will give a good idea why organic oils are more expensive and also
how much hard work goes into bringing such delightful items into our hands.
I hope each of you will take a few quiet moments to radiate out to all the environments
and peoples that bring such precious gems into our hands a big gigantic heartfelt
"Thank You".
Soon after the 1st of the year I will put out a newsletter where you can join in with me for an order from Clive in South Africa. It will probably be ready(the newsletter) by the middle of the month. This will give all of you a chance to order some very unique and special conventional, organic and wild crafted essential oils, cold pressed fixed oils, absolutes,etc.
Sweet Marjoram/Orgiganum majorana
Synonyms Majorana hortensis (Moench.) , Origanum majoranoides (.) Knotted Marjoram
[H], Marjolaine [E], Marjoram [H,E], Mayorana [E], Mayorana-So [E], Mercenkosk
[E], Origanium [E], Sweet Marjoram [H,P,B], http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Origanum+majorana
Marjoram is a highly perfumed herb with thick trusses of dainty white or purple flowers which make it a highly decorative herb that is suitable for the flower garden. In warmer climates it is a perennial, but it is treated as a half-hardy annual in colder areas since it will not survive a severe winter. Plants grow to 1-2 feet with a spread of about 8 inches. Flowers are tiny but plentiful and grow in clusters around the stem.
Images
www.superbherbs.net/Sweetmarjoram.htm
aoki2.si.gunma-u.ac.jp/.../HTMLs/sweet-majoram.html
www.bayhousearomatics.co.uk/product-Essential%20Oils%20...
www.xtec.es/~ccols/jardiner/hortjardi/hortjardi.htm
www.campbells-nrsy.com/ Handouts/herbs.htm
Edible Uses
Condiment; Leaves; Tea. Leaves - raw or cooked[2, 52]. Sweet marjoram is widely
used as a flavouring for salad dressings, vegetables, legumes and oils[7, 14,
27, 61, 171, 238]. It has a more delicate flavour than the closely related oregano
(Origanum vulgare), and is best when used fresh and only added towards the end
of cooking[238]. The aromatic seeds are used as a flavouring in sweets, drinks
etc[183]. A herb tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves[21, 183]. The flavour
resembles a blend of thyme, rosemary and sage[183].
Medicinal Uses
Disclaimer Antiseptic; Antispasmodic; Aromatherapy; Carminative; Cholagogue;
Diaphoretic; Emmenagogue; Expectorant; Stimulant; Stomachic; Tonic. Sweet marjoram
is mainly used as a culinary herb, but is also medicinally valuable due to its
stimulant and antispasmodic properties[254]. It is a good general tonic, treating
various disorders of the digestive and respiratory systems. It has a stronger
affecr on the nervous system than the related oregano (O. vulgare) and is also
thought to lower the sex drive[254]. Because it can promote menstruation, it
should not be used medicinally by pregnant women though small quantities used
for culinary purposes are safe[254]. The herb is antiseptic, antispasmodic,
carminative, cholagogue, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, stimulant,
stomachic and mildly tonic[4, 7, 21, 240]. It is taken internally in the treatment
of bronchial complaints, tension headaches, insomnia, anxiety, minor digestive
upsets and painful menstruation[238]. It should not be prescribed for pregnant
women[238]. Externally, it is used to treat muscular pain, bronchial complaints,
arthritis, sprains and stiff joints[238]. The plant is harvested as flowering
begins and can be used fresh or dried. Marjoram is often used medicinally in
the form of the essential oil, about 400 grammes being obtained from 70 kilos
of the fresh herb[4]. The oil is used as an external application for sprains,
bruises etc[4, 240]. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword
is 'Muscle relaxant'[210].
Other Uses
Disinfectant; Dye; Essential. The leaves and flowers yield 0.3 - 0.4% essential
oil by steam distillation[240]. Called 'Oil of Sweet Marjoram', it is used as
a food flavouring and in perfumery, soaps, hair products etc[57, 61, 171, 238].
The plant is often used to disinfect bee hives[7]. http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Origanum+majorana
The highly aromatic leaves and flowering tops are used fresh, dried, and ground
to flavor salads, stews, stuffings, soups, eggs, vegetables, fish, meat, and
sausages. Fresh leaves are added to vinegars, and seeds are added to confections.
Marjoram has been used in bouquet garni. Leaves and flowering tops are used
in sachets and potpourris (14.1-16). Oil is used in place of plant material
and in perfumes and cosmetics. The plant has been noted to exhibit antioxidant
and antifungal properties (1.8-8, 6.4-104, 11.1-126). Marjoram is sometimes
grown as an ornamental plant. As a medicinal plant, marjoram has traditionally
been used as a stimulant and tonic. As a folk remedy it has been used against
asthma, indigestion, headache, rheumatism, and toothache. Marjoram has been
employed in the treatment of cancer (14.1-16). The plant exhibits some antifungal
activity (11.1-126).
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/med-aro/factsheets/MARJORAM.html
Essential Oil
Distilled from the leaves and flowering tops of the plant Origanum majorana.
Pale yellow or amber colored liquid warm-spicy, aromatic camphoraceous and woody
odor that displays parts of the bouquet of nutmeg, cardamon, thyme and tea tree.
An evanscent sweetness wafts through the central spicy, woody and herbaceous
bouquet. The gently tingling sensation effected by the aromatic molecules perfuming
the olfactory preceptors is pleasing and gently stimulating. As one studies
the heartnotes in the first phase it is quite easy to detect individual spicy,
camphoracious, woody and herbaceous notes but deep into the heartnotes and toward
the base all the components begin to meld together in a very fine sweet harmonius
perfume which is a balanced blend of the individual notes detected earlier on.
A wonderful delicate sweetness pervades the entire composition. This seems to
appear about 45 minutes into the dryout.
Chemicals
ALPHA-PHELLANDRENE Plant 18 - 103 ppm BML
Odor Description : Citrus Terpenic Green Black Pepper
ALPHA-PINENE Plant 15 - 86 ppm BML
Odor Description : Fresh Camphor Sweet Pine Earthy Woody
ALPHA-TERPINENE Plant 183 - 1,050 ppm BML JBH
Odor Description : Woody Terpene Lemon
BETA-CARYOPHYLLENE Plant: HHB
Odor Description : Sweet Woody Spice Clove Dry
BETA-PHELLANDRENE Plant 27 - 155 ppm BML
Odor Description : Sweet Fresh Pine Woody Hay Green
BETA-PINENE Plant 6 - 34 ppm BML
Odor Description : Sweet Fresh Pine Woody Hay Green
CARVONE Plant 12 - 69 ppm BML
Odor Description : Spice Bread Caraway
ESTRAGOLE Plant: 411
Odor Description : Sweet Phenolic Anise Harsh Spice Green Herbal Minty
ETHYL-CAPRATE Plant: BML
Odor Description : Sweet Waxy Fruity Apple Grape Oily Brandy
ETHYL-LAURATE Plant: BML
Odor Description : Light Fruity Floral Waxy Soapy
ETHYL-MYRISTATE Plant: BML
Odor Description : Sweet Waxy Violet Orris
GERANIOL Plant: BML
Odor Description : Sweet Rose Wax
GERANYL-ACETATE Plant 12 - 69 ppm HHB
Odor Description : Sweet Fruit Rose Lavender Fresh Green Fatty Terpene
LIMONENE Plant 18 - 103 ppm BML
Odor Description : Lemon Citrus Citral Fresh Sweet
LINALOL Plant 99 - 568 ppm BML
LINALYL-ACETATE Plant 3 - 17 ppm BML
Odor Description : Citrus Bergamot-lavender Woody
METHYL-CHAVICOL Plant 96 - 550 ppm WOI
Odor Description : Sweet Phenolic Anise Harsh Spice Green Herbal Minty
MYRCENE Plant 18 - 103 ppm BML
Odor Description : Fresh Peppery Terpy Spicy Balsam Plastic
NERYL-ACETATE Plant: BML
Odor Description : Sweet Floral Orangeflower Citrus Dewy Pear
P-CYMEN-8-OL Plant 8 - 43 ppm BML
Odor Description : Sweet Fruity Cherry Coumarin Floral Camphor Cooling
P-CYMENE Plant 21 - 120 ppm BML
Odor Description : Fresh Citrus
TERPINEN-4-OL Plant 1,365 - 7,826 ppm BML
Odor Description : Pepper Woody Earth Musty Sweet
TERPINENE Plant: HHB
Odor Description : Woody Terpene Lemon
TERPINENOL Plant: WOI
Odor Description : Fresh Sweet Lilac Floral Citrus Lime
TERPINOLENE Plant 75 - 430 ppm BML
Odor Description : Fresh Woody Sweet Pine Citrus
TRANS-ANETHOLE Plant 8 - 43 ppm BML
Odor Description : Sweet Anise Licorice Mimosa
Organic-non Certified Sweet Marjoram Oil/South Africa
GC Analysis In the future Clive will do his best to identify more components
but for now these simple gc's are what is available.
Sabinene-4.589%
Myrcene-1.26235
Alpha Terpinene-3.351%
Para Cymene-4.48918%
Limonene-7.07326%
Gamma Terpinene-7.33192%
Tran-Sabinene Hydrate-2.29161%
Cis-Sabinene Hydrate-8.10188%
Terpinen-4-ol-23.91779%
Alpha Terpineol-2.79099%
Linalyl Acetate-3.05007%
Carryophyllene-2.06257%
Just a reminder, you may easily access the biological activity information by going to Jim Duke's web site. http://www.ars-grin.gov/duke/chem-activities.html
Ethnobotanical Uses Origanum majorana (LAMIACEAE)
Ache(Tooth)* Woi.6; Aphrodisiac Steinmetz; Bruise* Woi.6, Steinmetz; Cancer
Hartwell; Carminative Steinmetz, Woi.6; Diarrhea Woi.6; Digestive Steinmetz;
Diuretic Steinmetz; Emmenagogue Steinmetz; Expectorant Woi.6; Insomnia Brutus;
Lactogogue Steinmetz; Paralysis* Woi.6; Poison Steinmetz; Sedative Takeda; Spasm
FontQuer, Steinmetz; Sprain Steinmetz, Woi.6; Stimulant Steinmetz; Stomachic
Takeda; Sudorific Steinmetz; Tonic Steinmetz
http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/duke/ethnobot.pl
Sweet Marjoram in Aromatherapy
The history of sweet marjoram in aromatheapy Sweet marjoram is a perennial herb
with dark green leaves and small white flowers. It is sought after for its sedating
and warming characteristics. It can be found in Egypt, Morocco, Bulgaria, and
Hungary. It originated in the Mediterranean, Egypt and North Africa. Sweet marjoram¹s
essential oil is steam distilledfrom its leaves and flowers. It has a sweet,
spicy aroma that is strong. It is used for its antiviral, digestive, fungicidal
and sedative properties. Sweet marjoram has been used for centuries in different
cultures. The Greeks used it in every day life for a cleansing agent; it was
used to help relieve muscle spasms and an antidote to poison. It was also used
in their burial ceremonies to bring peace to the souls of the dead. The English
used it when delivering children as an antiseptic to dissolve germs. They used
sweet marjoram leaves in their baths to soften skin, and sweet marjoram oil
was used to alleviate symptoms of insomnia, nausea and headaches. Sweet marjoram
is used for many differentailments in today¹s aromatherapy. It is usually blended
with other essential oils because of its strong mineral content. Sweet marjoram
is best when blended with cypress, lavender, Atlas cedar wood, and rosemary.
It is used for relieving painful muscles and joints. When used as a blood detoxifier
it clears unhealthy toxins. It also improves blood circulation, which promotes
healthy arteries and the heart. When used as a tonic, sweet marjoram has the
effect to help lower blood pressure. Sweet marjoram is a decongestant and is
used to clear mucus from the chest and relieves symptoms of asthma, bronchitis
and sinusitis. It is often prescribed to relieve sinus headaches, migraines
and insomnia. Sweet marjoram is safe for many uses; it is best used when diluted.
It is recommended for the elderly for its relaxing qualities. Sweet marjoram
is not suitable to be used while pregnant or for small children.
http://mt.essortment.com/sweetmarjoram_rstg.htm