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Volatility :

Head/Heart

Price Range :

€€€€

Appearance :

Green liquid

Major components :

Terpinen-4-ol (14-22%)
Gamma-Terpinene (14-20%)
cis-4-Thujanol (4-10%)
Sabinene (2-10%)
Myrcene (1-9%)
Alpha-Terpinene (6-8%)
Linalool (2-5%)

CAS number :

8015-01-8

EINECS number :

616-955-7

FEMA number :

2663

Stability :

The terpenes identified in this raw material can polymerize when they are oxidized

Crédits photo: ScenTree SAS

Botanical name :

Origanum majorana

Botanical profile :

Marjoram is a plant of the Lamiaceae family (such as mint or patchouli) and of the genus Origanum.

Geographic origin :

Originally from the Mediterranean region, Marjoram is now mainly grown in France, Spain, Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt (main producer).

Extraction process :

The marjoram is a plant of 30 to 60 cm high with many leafy stems.
In Europe, the marjoram is an annual plant that has to be replanted each year as it does not survive the winter. It is a fragile plant and many factors can affect the quality of its essential oil. For example, the conditioning of seeds with gibberellic acid has a beneficial effect on the extraction yield, without affecting the composition of the essential oil. The extraction yield is also affected by the average temperature on the crop. The higher the temperature, the better the yield.
In Egypt, marjoram is grown from March to July. In France, it is from September to November. The cultivation should be done before the plants bloom and a second cut of the plants can be made two months after the first. The plants are cut 5 cm above the ground and the leaves are dried in the sun or in a ventilated room from a few hours to a few days. Storage is protected from light and moisture in a cold place. The dry leaves are hydro-distilled under pressure in a distillation tank for 1h30 to 3h. The essential oil is collected in a florentine vase by decantation, after refrigerating the water vapor.
The yield of the essential oil varies from 1 to 3 ‰. The first year is better compared to the following years. It is also optimal for the second cut of leaves.
Extraction is possible using supercritical CO₂ which gives a higher olfactory quality, slightly modifying the composition of the essential oil.

Chemotypes :

The genus oreganum is very largue, as it designates lots of species, belonging to various subgroups :
Origanum :
Origanum compactum : Oregano with compact inflorescence, found in Morocco and in the South-West of Spain, gives an oil rich in Carvacrol, Thymol, or both.
Origanum glaucum : Glaucous oregano of Afghanistan, containing Carvacrol and a small part of Thymol.
Origanum floribundum : Flower-bearing oregano, containing Carvacrol and a small part of Thymol.
Origanum vulgare : Common oregano - Oregano EO, to which belong two major species : var. macrostachyum (from Crete, a Carvacrol and Thymol chemotype) and var. virescens (containing Carvacrol and Terpineol or Thymol alone or Beta-Terpineol). Many sub-varieties also exist, but we are not explaining them in details here.
Majorana :
Origanum syriacum : Syrian Oregano (A thymol and a Carvacrol chemotype)
Origanum dubium
Origanum majoricum : Italian Oregano
Origanum majorana : Including Marjoram EO (Thujanols or Terpinen-4-ol chemotype)
Amaracus :
Origanum dictamnus : (rich in pulegone)

Aromatherapy :

Informations provided below are taken from reference works in aromatherapy. They are given for information purposes only and can not constitute medical information, nor engage the responsibility of ScenTree.

The essential oil of marjoram has many virtues, among which its antibacterial, antiseptic, neurotonic, analgesic and diuretic qualities are to be noted. It is recommended in case of neurovegetative dystonia (dysregulation of the neurovegetative system, fatigue, thirst, dizziness), rheumatism and digestive infections.

Allergens :

D-Limonene - Citronellol

For more information on allergens used in perfumery, please consult our article about allergens

IFRA :

This ingredient is not restricted

Restriction type :

Cause of restriction :

Amendment :

Comments :

Quantitative usage limits :

Cat.1	Cat.2	Cat.3	Cat.4	Cat.5	Cat.6	Cat.7	Cat.8	Cat.9	Cat.10	Cat.11

Skin contact products		Non skin contact products
Leave on products	Rinse off products	Non skin contact products

Annexe I :

Ingredients containing
Ingredient Name	Botanical Name	CAS N°	Estimated Concentration

Annexe I :

Some regulated synthetic ingredients are found in nature and in certain proportions in natural ingredients. This presence in nature has to be taken into account when calculating limits of use recommended by the IFRA. In case you do not know these concentrations, you can use the ones estimated by the IFRA. Here They are :

List of regulated compounds contained in this ingredient
Regulated ingredient name	CAS N°	Estimated Concentration
Geraniol	106-24-1	0,3

Restriction type :

Cause of restriction :

Amendment :

Comments :

Quantitative limit on the use :

Cat.1	Cat.2	Cat.3	Cat.4	Cat.5A	Cat.5B	Cat.5C	Cat.5D	Cat.6

Cat.7A	Cat.7B	Cat.8	Cat.9	Cat.10A	Cat.10B	Cat.11A	Cat.11B	Cat.12

Annexe I : EN Ici nous avons un texte qui n'est pas en gras et qui est à la suite de Annexe I

Ingredients containing
Ingredient Name	Botanical Name	CAS N°	Estimated Concentration

Annexe I :

Some regulated synthetic ingredients are found in nature and in certain proportions in natural ingredients. This presence in nature has to be taken into account when calculating limits of use recommended by the IFRA. In case you do not know these concentrations, you can use the ones estimated by the IFRA. Here They are :

List of regulated compounds contained in this ingredient
Regulated ingredient name	CAS N°	Estimated Concentration
Geraniol	106-24-1	0,3
d,l-Carvone	99-49-0	0,4

To learn more about IFRA's standards : https://ifrafragrance.org/safe-use/library
To find out the specificities of each category and the ingredients prohibited by IFRA, click article about l'IFRA
ScenTree is solely responsible for the information provided here.

Uses in perfumery :

Used in eaux fraîches perfumes, aromatic notes, fougere, amber and spicy perfumes. Gives a spicy effect.

Other comments :

In ancient Greece, marjoram was cultivated for its universal healing virtues and to aromatize dishes.
Several adulterations of the essential oil are common and consist of adding Terpinen-4-ol, Linalyl Acetate or Linalool, to reduce the cost and improve the olfactory quality. Nevertheless, the composition of the essential oil of marjoram can be controlled by chromatography and must respect physicochemical values determined by standards.