Origanum majorana, garden marjoram, knotted marjoram, majoran, majorana, majorana herb, majorana hortensis, marjolaine, Mejorana, and sweet marjoram.
Marjoram is a culinary and medicinal herb in the mint family. It needs a hot climate to develop its full aroma, but it loses some of its flavor when it is dried. Marjoram goes well with thyme, bay leaves, black pepper, and juniper berries. Marjoram is a Greek word meaning "Joy of the Mountain". According to Greek myth, Aphrodite said that the smell of marjoram was the smell of impending good luck. Greeks also believed that if it was growing on a grave, it was a sign that the departed soul had found happiness. Throughout the middle ages it was worn by bridal couples to signify love, honor, and happiness. It was used in England for many years as an ingredient in snuff, then as a somewhat exotic flavoring for beer.
Essential oil with alpha-pinene, alpha-terpinene, beta-sitosterol, cavracol, caryophyllene, citral, estragole, eugenol, geraniol, limonene, niacin, oleic acids, rosmarinic acid, tannins, ursolic acid, vitamin C, and zinc.
Leaves.
Essential oil, infusions, teas, poultices.
According to a review in the journal Evidence-Based Alternative and Complementary Medicine published in June 2005, the essential oil of marjoram is known to reduce anxiety and fatigue (as documented in studies published in Japanese). The British Journal of Nutrition reported in March 2005 that consuming a salad served with an oil and vinegar dressing flavored with marjoram offers the equivalent antioxidant power of 200 milligrams of vitamin C. Contemporary scientific research, however, has not examined the traditional uses of marjoram in herbal healing. The traditional uses of marjoram include preventing spasms in the digestive tract, relieving dry cough, relieving pain on bruises, lumbago, and sprains, breaking up congestion caused by coughs and colds, and encouraging lactation in nursing mothers. Several European legends tell that if anoint yourself with marjoram before you go to sleep, you will dream of your future spouse. The famous herbalist Nicholas Culpeper said that it "helps all diseases of the chest which hinder the freeness of breathing".
Women who experience heavy menstruation should avoid marjoram. The herb is not recommended for infants and small children.
