Marjoram Essential Oil health benefits includes promoting healthy digestion, supporting cardiovascular health, helps with treating asthma, bronchitis, cough, and sinusitis, assist in managing type 2 diabetes, rectifies hormonal imbalances, treat amenorrhea, reduces blood pressure, promotes restful sleep and sound mind, relieving pain, prevents anemia, helps prevent sepsis and tetanus, treat certain skin conditions and helps prevent dandruff.
What is Marjoram?
Marjoram is a perennial herb that grew natively in the Mediterranean. Marjoram and oregano share almost the same features; hence, stirring a lot of confusion among consumers. However, marjoram has a finer texture and a sweeter, milder taste compared to oregano. Botanically, the herb is a member of the Labiatae family of the genus Origanum. Its scientific name is Origanum majorana.
The herb possesses a special reputation in Greek mythology, but nowadays marjoram is more notable for its ability to spice up stews, soups, dressings, and meat dishes. Moreover, marjoram can be taken in a more concentrated form as an essential oil to treat or prevent various ailments. The essential oil of the marjoram plant is extracted through steam distillation of its leaves. Furthermore, marjoram essential oil can also be used topically or aromatically for its positive effects on the body.
Nutrition Info of Marjoram Essential Oil (per 100 g leaves)
Folates 274 µg – 68.5% RDA
Niacin 0.902 mg – 25.75% RDA
Pantothenic acid 0.209 mg – 4% RDA
Pyridoxine 1.190 mg – 91.5% RDA
Riboflavin 0.316 mg – 24% RDA
Thiamin 0.289 mg – 24% RDA
Vitamin A 8068 IU – 269% RDA
Vitamin C 51.4 mg – 86% RDA
Vitamin E 1.69 mg – 11% RDA
Vitamin K 621.7 µg – 518% RDA
Sodium 77 mg – 5% RDA
Potassium 1522 mg – 32% RDA
Calcium 1990 mg – 200% RDA
Copper 1.133 mg – 126% RDA
Iron 82.71 mg – 1034% RDA
Magnesium 346 mg – 86.5% RDA
Manganese 5.433 mg – 236% RDA
Zinc 3.60 mg – 33% RDA
Carotene-ß 4806 µg
Cryptoxanthin-ß 70 µg
Lutein-zeaxanthin 1895 µg
1. Promotes Healthy Digestion
Long ago, people have been using marjoram seeds to aid digestion for centuries. The digestive property of the marjoram seeds is obtained from its essential oils. The pleasing aroma of marjoram essential oil alone stimulates the salivary glands and thus, allows a more effective break down of enzymes during the primary digestion of food in the mouth. Likewise, marjoram essential oil helps stimulate the secretion of certain digestive fluids including bile and gastric acid. The lack of bile could corrode the inner lining of the stomach and form ulcers. Marjoram essential oil ensures proper flow of bile to neutralize such acids and prevent ulcers.
Moreover, the oil encourages a fluent peristaltic movement within the intestines and assists the ingested food to progress through the digestive tract. In so doing, marjoram essential oil facilitates digestion and regular bowel movements.
Furthermore, marjoram essential oil can help prevent a number of digestive issues such as indigestion and stomachache. In addition, it can effectively deal with excess gas as it helps relax stomach muscles that allow gas a safe downward passage and stops more gas from forming. This also helps prevent chest pains, nausea, vomiting, and hypertension that may root from excessive flatulence.
2. Marjoram Essential Oil is an Expectorant
Marjoram has been traditionally used for treating colds, coughs, and influenza. Its essential oil has proven quite effective in loosening phlegm and mucus in the throat and sinuses through expulsion. Marjoram contains saponin that is often used in treating asthma, bronchitis, coughs, and sinusitis.
3. Improves Cardiovascular Health
The cardiovascular system consists one of the most vital parts of the human body, the heart. Due to its prominence in keeping the body up and about, keeping your cardiovascular system healthy is of the essence. Marjoram essential oil can help resolve heart conditions. It is abundant in antioxidants, making it beneficial for the cardiovascular system as well as the entire body.
In addition, marjoram essential oil contains omega-3 fatty acids that help regulate cholesterol. Improving the cholesterol balance in your body guarantees a low risk of developing atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries and veins. Likewise, marjoram essential oil has amino acids that help enhance your overall heart health.
Another important attribute of marjoram essential oil is its vasodilative property. As a vasodilator, it helps expand and relax blood vessels to improve blood flow and lower blood pressure.
Inhaling marjoram essential oil alone can decrease sympathetic nervous system activity (fight-or-flight response) and increase parasympathetic nervous system activity (rest-and-digest approach), which reduces the strain on your entire cardiovascular system.
4. Assists in Managing Type 2 Diabetes
There are approximately 415 million diabetics all over the world, and the figure is expected to rise to a staggering 642 million by 2040. Type 2 diabetes has several causes, but an unhealthy lifestyle is the ultimate culprit of this condition. Managing diabetes is such a challenging task since the condition generates a number of complications. Researchers have yet to find a cure for this serious, chronic condition. Fortunately, the effects of type 2 diabetes are reversible with a closely controlled diet, an active lifestyle, and with the help of natural supplements.
Marjoram essential oil, in particular, can help enhance the body’s ability to manage blood sugar levels. Thereby, marjoram essential oil should be integrated into your anti-diabetic arsenal. The oil acts as an efficient inhibitor of the enzymes dipeptidyl peptidase IV and tyrosine phosphatase 1B, both of which act as a negative regulator of insulin. Modern studies suggest that inhibiting DPP-IV and PTP1B activities may be beneficial in the treatment of type 2 diabetes since mice lacking these enzymes have shown resistance to the condition.
5. Rectifies Hormonal Imbalances
Among the traditional use of marjoram includes the restoration of hormonal balance. Women, in particular, can benefit from the marjoram essential oil’s ability to regulate menstrual cycles and balance hormones naturally. Hormonal balance is crucial; otherwise, it could lead to frequent menstrual cycle changes, diminished sex drive, depression, irritability, hot flashes, and insomnia among others. It is also very important during menopause.
Infertility and polycystic ovarian syndrome, both of which are correlated to hormonal imbalance, can be remedied with the help of marjoram essential oil. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics can confirm its positive effects on women.
Apart from alleviating monthly symptoms of PMS or menopause, lactating moms can also benefit from marjoram essential oil since it can enhance the production of breast milk.
6. Treats Amenorrhea
Marjoram essential oil not only regulates hormones but also acts as an emmenagogue. Women who frequently experience amenorrhea, which is the absence or suppression of normal menstrual flow, can greatly benefit from the emmenagogue property of the marjoram essential oil. It increases menses and provides relief from symptoms associated with menstrual periods such as dysmenorrhea, mood swings, etc. In addition, it helps prevent premature menopause.
7. Marjoram Essential Oil is a Diuretic
Marjoram essential oil increases the quantity of urine and the frequency of urination. As a result, it helps eliminate excess water, bile salts, uric acid, sodium, and other unnecessary elements from the body. Increased urination also reduces blood pressure and fat as it cleanses the kidneys.
However, you should drink eight glasses of water or more if you are taking marjoram essential oil. Since the oil tends to increase the flow of urine, you may experience dehydration if your body could not sustain enough fluids needed for bodily functions.
8. Promotes Restful Sleep and Sound Mind
Many people throughout the world have difficulty sleeping. A long stretch of sleep is crucial for maintaining a sound mind and a healthy body. Marjoram essential oil promotes sleep, which makes this oil particularly beneficial to those who have the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep. All you need is a few drops of marjoram essential oil on your pillow so you can have a good night’s sleep.
Furthermore, marjoram essential oil is also beneficial to people who underwent trauma, shock, or a nervous breakdown. Inhaling the aroma of marjoram essential oil has shown positive effects on the mental state of a person. It helps relieve stress and anxiety, as well as induce a calming and relaxing effect on the mind and body.
When a scent molecule is inhaled, it is sensed by the olfactory cells that are closely connected to the brain’s limbic system, which includes the amygdala that is responsible for our emotions. Hence, it generates a feeling of happiness in times of anger or misery.
9. Marjoram Essential Oil Relieves Pain
Massage therapist often includes marjoram essential oil in their massage lotions and liniments for two reasons. First, marjoram essential oil is effective in reducing pain that is associated with muscle spasms or muscle tightness as well as tension headaches. Second, marjoram essential oil produces an enticing sweet fragrance. Inhaling its aroma brings a positive effect on the mind and relieves tension.
Likewise, marjoram essential oil can also alleviate the pain that often comes with colds, toothaches, and fevers. Unlike over-the-counter pain relievers, marjoram essential oils have no adverse side effects regardless of the frequency of its usage.
10. Marjoram Essential Oil Prevents Anemia
Medicinal intake of marjoram essential oil can help prevent anemia as well as prevent excessive bleeding. Marjoram is a good source of vitamin K, an essential vitamin for normal blood clotting. Heavy bleeding is among the several factors that cause anemia. Likewise, marjoram is also an excellent source of iron, another essential nutrient for the production of red blood cells. Consistent medical intake of this essential oil promotes blood circulation, improve energy levels, and optimize organ functions.
11. Helps Prevent Sepsis and Tetanus
Sepsis also called blood poison, is the presence of toxins and pus-forming bacteria in the blood. Tetanus, on the other hand, is an infection of the central nervous system caused by bacterial infection in open wounds. Both are potentially life-threatening and thus, be prevented by all means possible.
Marjoram essential oil has antiseptic properties that effectively cleanse disease-causing organisms. It is ideal for both internal and external wounds. What is more, it speeds up wound healing both internal and external. Thus, this attribute of the marjoram essential oil protects you from developing septic or tetanus.
12. Marjoram Essential Oil Conditions Skin
Marjoram essential oil carries a wealth of antioxidants. In fact, marjoram essential oil is often used in skin-care products such as creams, soaps, and lotions to enhance skin quality. The abundance of antioxidants in marjoram essential oil prevents premature skin aging such as fine lines and age spots. Antioxidants scavenge free radicals that cause cellular damage; hence, helps you maintain youthful skin.
In addition, marjoram essential oil exhibits anti-septic properties that can remedy varying skin conditions such as acne, eczema, skin allergies, and rashes among others. Marjoram essential oil also has anti-fungal properties that help prevent athlete’s foot, ringworm, etc.
13. Nourishes Hair and Prevents Dandruff
Marjoram essential oil helps strengthen hair and promote faster hair growth. Its anti-fungal properties can ward off scalp infections and protect it from dandruff and itchy scalp. Marjoram essential oil nourishes hair follicles so you can have soft and manageable hair. It is also quite effective in darkening grey areas of the hair. Lastly, applying a few drops of marjoram essential oil on your hair imparts a pleasant fragrance that can last all throughout the day.
Conclusion
The fragrant, spicy essential oil is also referred as the ‘happy herb’ or the ‘joy of the mountains’ for its tremendous benefits on the mind and body. Marjoram essential oil invokes a feeling of happiness as it relieves you from tension, grief, and anxiety. A sound mind makes a sound body. You will be surprised how a positive mind can ripple its effects.
Moreover, the very important medicinal properties of marjoram oil are a blessing for those who are suffering insomnia and stress. It also helps treat and prevent several ailments. Hence, you should always have a little bottle of this valuable oil.