Monthly Essential: doTERRA's Marjoram

As the first buds of spring cautiously begin breaking through winter's earth, I thought an oil that encourages a softening of the heart and a restoration of trust would be the perfect compliment to our own spring awakening.

​Trust is a hard thing these days.  With so much misinformation and social injustice, it becomes very difficult to know where to place your trust - or even if you should place it anywhere, or on anyone, in the first place.  Isn't it safer to trust no one but yourself?  
No, its not safer.  Because while you always risk being deceived if you trust too much, imagine the sadness and heartbreak that can come from not trusting enough.  If anything, this is the time for more connection, not less.  And Marjoram can help us on this path. 

Packing all the healing power of it's sister oil, Oregano, but sweeter and more delicate, the name given to this lovely little green herb, literally translates to the "joy of the mountains." (a tidbit that always makes me smile) 

Marjoram is the oil of connection. It helps us heal the wounds that have frozen our heart, and take those first timid steps towards re-establishing meaningful relationships by thawing open the pathways to the heart. 

A symbol of happiness to ancient Greeks and Romans, bridal garlands were often woven out of Marjoram, which was seen as sacred to Aphrodite, the Goddess of love.  It was believed that she used sweet marjoram in her love potions to bring lovers together, and often wore them as wreaths in her hair.

The culinary uses for Marjoram extend far beyond the cuisine of Greece and Italy.  It's subtle, fruity nature is often a main ingredient in herb blends in France; it is commonly used to flavor sauces and sausages in Northern Europe, and in Germany it is known as the "goose herb," as one simply cannot roast a proper goose without it.  

Aside from helping us learn to trust others and perfectly seasoning poultry, Marjoram can help calm the nervous system when inhaled and brings an instant lift to the spirit.  My husband uses Marjoram and Frankincense daily, as an uplifting beard conditioner. 
When diffused, Marjoram helps support a healthy respiratory system, and when taken internally, it can help support a healthy cardiovascular and immune system.

Paired with Lavender, it makes a lovely oil to diffuse at night to help promote a calm and peaceful sleep, and can be safely applied to a fussy child's feet to encourage rest. 
Partnered with Clary Sage and applied topically to the abdomen, Marjoram can help bring muscle relaxation during your menstrual flow.  And it is also be a helpful oil for any type of massage or bodywork, since it not only soothes tired muscles and relieves stiffness in the joints, but it would also encourage an increased sense of trust between practitioner and recipient.   

So it's no wonder that in asana, Marjoram becomes the perfect oil to apply to the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet before any partner or Acroyoga work.  Because trust, in those instances, is paramount. 
(Just be sure to rub it into the skin well before attempting anything too drastic.  Because while you can certainly put your trust in Marjoram, well oiled hands and feet don't always make for the best Acro partners.)

And if you take only one thing away from this, let it be...
"The best way to find out if you can trust somebody, is to trust them."
~ Ernest Hemingway