The sun makes its way through the last remaining clouds, illuminating the beach and the sea with the bright colors that can only be seen after a great storm. When the air is clear and bright and the blue skin of the sea calms down, no longer being whipped by the winds. The show is breathtaking, we are admiring the wonders of Greece as we walk along the road that runs alongside the sea. The rain that has just passed and the heat release aromas from the earth and fields. They are fascinating, strong and enveloping scents, which smell of plants and myth. One perfume among all attracts our attention, a warm and spicy perfume, but at the same time sweet and delicate. Intrigued, we try to follow the aroma and arrive at a plant, but this is marjoram! We rub the leaves between our fingers and smell the scents that are released. Closing our eyes, we feel like Aphrodite, the goddess of love, who, according to legend, was the first to cultivate this plant and give it its special aroma. Among the ancient Greeks it was common for girls to place a sprig of marjoram under the pillow that, it was said, made the face of the future husband appear in a dream. And the ancient Greeks always loved marjoram so much that they invented the first cosmetics based on this plant, leaving it to infuse in oils such as olive, sweet almond or flax oil and then place the ointment in precious jars. So, let us be enveloped by myths and aromas, preparing cosmetics with marjoram, the plant sacred to Aphrodite. But first, let's see what science says about the cosmetic properties of marjoram.
Marjoram in cosmetics
Marjoram is antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal. Therefore, it can help both in contrasting wrinkles and aging processes and in case of skin irritations and acne (Bina et al, J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med., 2017). In fact, one of the main active ingredients of marjoram is rosmarinic acid, which determines its great antioxidant and anti-inflammatory power. Rosemary acid has been shown to be useful in countering the effects of UV rays on the skin, including dry and lifeless skin, wrinkles, erythema and dark spots (Sutkowska et al, Pharmaceutics, 2021). Not only that, rosmarinic acid reduces inflammation of the skin, including that caused by the bacterium Propionibacterium acnes, one of the main causes of acne (Tsai et al, J Med Food, 2013). And then the marjoram aroma brings calm and serenity, counteracts stress, anxiety and insomnia (Ali et al, Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 2015).
Marjoram for skin care
Add a drop of essential oil of marjoram to a little of your cream and apply on the skin of the face. This will help both in the case of mature skin with wrinkles, since marjoram fights free radicals, tones the skin and reduces dark spots, and in the case of acne and skin irritations, by soothing and purifying the skin. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory action, marjoram, always added to the face cream, is also useful in case of sunburn. You can also take inspiration from ancient wisdom and add 4-5 drops of marjoram essential oil to 50 ml of jojoba oil, in case of impure skin, since this oil helps regulate the production of sebum, and of argan in case of mature skin.
Marjoram for hair health
Marjoram essential oil soothes irritation and purifies the skin, therefore it is also useful for scalp care, in case of itching, irritation and dandruff. In a small bowl, pour two tablespoons of softened coconut oil and 2 drops of marjoram essential oil. Apply to damp scalp and leave on for ten minutes, then rinse with your shampoo.
Marjoram for massages
As we have seen, marjoram also acts as a calming and relaxing. In 50 ml of sweet almond oil pour 10 drops of marjoram oil. Use for slow, circular massages on the legs, back, shoulders and arms to bring relief from stress and anxiety. Not only that, add two drops of essential oil to a tablespoon of vegetable oil and apply on the temples, massaging slowly, even in case of a headache. In fact, marjoram is also a pain reliever (Ali et al, Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 2015).
