• Marjoram
  • Marjoram

Marjoram

  • Scientific Name
    Origanum majorana
  • Family
    Lamiaceae
  • Origin
    Egypt, Spain, Tunisia, Franceetc.

CONTENTS

Plant description

Marjoram is a perennial plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family, growing to a height of about 50 cm. It features distinctive, rounded leaves that are arranged alternately along the stems. White or pink flowers bloom on the tips of its branches. Marjoram is sensitive to cold and humidity, requiring careful cultivation. The genus name “Origanum” is thought to originate from the Greek words “Oros” and “Ganos,” which mean “mountain joy.” As for the name “Marjoram,” it is derived from the Latin word “Major,” meaning “large.” Marjoram has a rich history of use in various cultures. In ancient Egypt, it was used as a medicinal herb and in the embalming process for mummies.  In ancient Greece and Rome, it was a symbol of happiness and was often used in weddings, with couples wearing Marjoram flower crowns. Additionally, they are a popular ingredient in soups, stews, and Italian cuisine, paring particularly well with tomatoes. While it is native to regions like Libya, Egypt, and the Mediterranean, the majority of this oil is produced in France.

Essential oil composition

Majorjam

  • Majorjam

  • INCI
    ORIGANUM MAJORANA LEAF OIL
  • Parts of Plant Used
    Whole Plant
  • Extraction Method
    Steam Distillation
  • Extraction Rate
    0.3％ ‐ 0.4％
  • Notes
    Top - Middle
  • Aroma Family
    Herbal

Majorjam Essential Oil Properties & Uses

About 0.3% of Marjorjam essential oil is obtained from the whole plant by steam distillation, and it is light yellow in color. Terpinene 4-ol and sabinene are the main components. The fragrance is gentle and soft sweet, with a fresh , somewhat spicy herbal tone. It has a warm fragrance with a core of deep green tones. It is not a strong, impressive fragrance, but its presence is certainly felt in this essential oil. It is mainly useful for men's cologne, fougere and oriental fragrances. It is a complex fragrance with various components intertwined. In blends, it is especially good with citrus such as Mandarin and Sweet Orange, as well as with refreshing Eucalyptus and Rosemary. Note that if the fragrance is composed only of green scents, it tends to have a bitter taste. It also excels at "bridging" in blends, and its addition gives cohesiveness to the blend. Given its relatively mild scent, adding a bit more to the blend can help maintain a well-balanced scent.

Essential oil composition

Essential oil composition

※An example of one batch production is shown here.

  • Terpinen-4-ol　24.48%
  • cis-Sabinene hydrate　17.54%
  • γ-Terpinene　8.69%
  • Sabinene　7.34%
  • α-Terpinene　4.51%
  • trans-Sabinenehydrate　4.50%
  • α-Terpineol　4.27%
  • p-Cymene　4.25%
  • p-Menth-2-en-1-ol　2.63%
  • Linalyl acetate　2.47%
  • Terpinolene　2.17%
  • β-Caryophyllene　2.12%
  • Linalool　1.76%
  • Limonene　1.70%
  • β-Phellandrene　1.63%
  • Other components　9.94%

Functions and Efficacies

Limonene

Limonene
  • IUPAC Name
    1-methyl-4-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohexene
  • Molecular Formula
    C10H16
  • Molecular Weight
    136.23 g/mol
  • CAS No.
    138-86-3
  • Structure
    Monocyclic monoterpene

Functions and Efficacies of Limonene

in slico in vitro ex vivo in vivo
Non-clinical Clinical
Mice Rats Guinea Pigs Insects Rabbits Human
Stress Reduction ○
Memory Improvement ○ ○
Anti-cancer Effects ○ ○ ○

Stress Reduction

A study reported that mice subjected to cold stress at 4°C (41°F) exhibited reduced elevations in blood corticosterone levels when treated with limonene. Furthermore, the same report demonstrated that limonene effectively lowered corticosterone levels in the blood of mice exposed to both physical and mental stress.1)

Memory Improvement

A study reported that when acetylcholinesterase reacts with acetylthiocholine in phosphate-buffered saline, the introduction of limonene inhibits the degradation by acetylcholinesterase. Acetylcholinesterase plays a role in the breakdown of acetylcholine, a hormone associated with memory and learning. In the same report, it was also noted that limonene suppressed memory impairment induced by scopolamine administration in rats.2)

Anti-cancer Effects

A report indicated that the consumption of limonene by breast cancer patients resulted in reduced expression of Cyclin D1, a protein crucial for cell division, within tumors.3)Furthermore, numerous other studies have also documented the anticancer properties of limonene.4)5)

  • 1)Fukumoto et al., Stress and Health, 2008
  • 2)Zhou et al., Nutritional Neuroscience,, 2013
  • 3)Miller et al., Cancer Prevntion Research, 2013
  • 4)Ajikumaran Nair S et al., Phytomedicine, 2018
  • 5)Chaudhary et al., Human & Experimental Toxicology, 2012

Linalool

Linalool
  • IUPAC Name
    3,7-Dimethylocta-1,6-dien-3-ol
  • Molecular Formula
    C10H18O
  • Molecular Weight
    154.25 g/mol
  • CAS No.
    78-70-6
  • Structure
    Monoterpene alcohol

Functions and Efficacies of Linalool

in slico in vitro ex vivo in vivo
Non-clinical Clinical
Mice Rats Guinea Pigs Insects Rabbits Human
Anti-inflammatory Effects ○
Stress Reduction ○ ○
Anti-oxidant Effects ○

Anti-inflammatory Effects

A study reported that linalool reduced hindlimb edema in rats induced by carrageenan administration. 1)

Stress Reduction

A study reported that linalool treatment increased the time it took for mice to escape to a dark room when under light stress. Additionally, it reduced the number and duration of attacks on other mice in a confined room, indicating its stress-reducing effects.2) Linalool inhalation was observed to reverse gene expression alterations in the hypothalamus associated with stress response in mice.3) Numerous studies have documented the stress-reducing capabilities of linalool.4)5)6)

Anti-oxidant Effects

A study reported that the addition of linalool was found to suppress the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by UV irradiation in human skin fibroblasts.7)

  • 1)Peana et al., Phytomedicine, 2002
  • 2)Linck et al., Phytomedicine, 2010
  • 3)Yoshida et al., Neuroscience Letters, 2017
  • 4)Harada et al., Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 2018
  • 5)Souto-Maior et al., Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 2011
  • 6)Weston-Green et al., Frontiers in Scichiatry, 2021
  • 7)Gunaseelan et al., Plos One, 2017

IFRA

Marjoram：
No restrictions applied

※Only information for selected components are shown here.

References
Jennie Harding [Handbook of Essential Oil and Plant Oil] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2010.
Shinichiro Otsuki/Yukiko Ozaki [Scientific Name Etymology Dictionary of Herbs] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2009.
Jennie Harding [Illustrated Reference Book of Herbs] Sancho Publishing, 2012.
Freddy Ghozland/Xavier Fernandez [L’Herbier Parfume] Hara Publishing, 2013.
Kyohei Mikami [Comprehensive Guide to Essential Oils] Fragrance Journal, 2010.
Yuzuru Ogura [Dictionary of Plants] Tokyo-do Publishing, 1957.
Nobuo Ohashi [Dictionary of Medical Herbs] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2016.
Wanda Sellar [The directory of essential oils] Fragrance Journal, 1992.
Aroma Environment Association of Japan [AEAJ Aromatherapy Certification Official Textbook grade1&2] Sekaibunka, 1999.
Robert Tissearand [Essential Oil Safety] Fragrance Journal, 2018.
Ayako Berg [Aromatherapy Essential Oil Dictionary] Seibido Shuppan, 2022.
Azusa Annells [Enjoying Fragrance: An Illustrated Book of Aromas with Characteristics]Natsumesha CO.,LTD., 2023
(All written in or translated to Japanese.)
Supervisor
Yamamoto Perfumery co., ltd.

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