Marjoram
Origanum majorana
The Greeks have many myths and gave us the name of this ancient culinary herb: oros ganos, meaning joy-of-the-mountain. If you have been fortunate enough to visit Greece, where oregano (wild Marjoram) covers the hill slopes imparts the summer air with its peppery fragrance, you have seen why the Greeks gave this plant that name. Goddess Aphrodite is attributed with imparting the sweet-spicy smell to the Marjoram plant as a symbol for luck. Bridal couples were crowned with garlands of Marjoram and plants were placed on tombstones to give rest to haunted spirits. The Greeks loved the smell after a bath, as Marjoram oil was massaged on their forehead and hair.
What is Marjoram Used For?
As we saw in the history section, Greek Culture has given us many practical uses of Marjoram. A few drops of the oil sprinkled on a pillow were recommended to promote relaxing and restorative sleep. It was used traditionally to promote healthy digestion and intestinal health as well. In ancient times covering them with Marjoram, Rosemary, Oregano, and Thyme, preserved meats before refrigeration was used. The essential oils from the leaf have been tested for its microbial properties in-vitro. These applications were researched for food safety and natural preservative techniques.
Traditional Health Benefits of Marjoram
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Additional Information on this Herb
Primarily volatile oil compunds including: alpha and gamma terpinene, p-cymene, 4-terpineol, terpinolene, sabinene, linalool, beta-caryophylline, borneol, carvachrol, cis and trans sabinene hydrate, linalyl acetate, ocimene, cadinene, alpha-pinene, geranyl acetate, citral, estragole, eugenol, 3-carene. Flavonoid glycosides, arbutin, tannins, carnosol, caffeic acid, labiatic acid, carnosic acid, sinapic acid, ferulic acid, coumarinic acid, syringic acid, vanillic acid, ursolic acid, rosmarinic acid, steroids including beta-sitosterol, triterpenoids,
Leaf
1.)Bina F, Rahimi R. Sweet marjoram: a review of ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and biological activities. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med 2017;22(1):175-85. 2.)Vagi, E., Rapavi, E., Hadolin, M., Vasarhelyine, Peredi K., Balazs, A., Blazovics, A., and Simandi, B. Phenolic and triterpenoid antioxidants from Origanum majorana L. herb and extracts obtained with different solvents. J Agric Food Chem 1-12-2005;53(1):17-21.
Not for use during pregnancy or lactation. If you have a medical condition or take pharmaceutical drugs please consult your doctor prior to use.
- This information in our Herbal Reference Guide is intended only as a general reference for further exploration, and is not a replacement for professional health advice. This content does not provide dosage information, format recommendations, toxicity levels, or possible interactions with prescription drugs. Accordingly, this information should be used only under the direct supervision of a qualified health practitioner such as a naturopathic physician.
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