Growing tip with flower budsDried marjoram herb for flavoring
Marjoram (/ˈmɑːrdʒərəm/,[2]Origanum majorana) is a cold-sensitive perennialherb or undershrub with sweet pine and citrus flavours. In some Middle Eastern countries, marjoram is synonymous with oregano, and there the names sweet marjoram and knotted marjoram are used to distinguish it from other plants of the genus Origanum. It is also called pot marjoram,[3] although this name is also used for other cultivated species of Origanum.
Leaves are smooth, simple, petiolated, ovate to oblong-ovate, 0.5–1.5 cm (0.2–0.6 inches) long, 0.2–0.8 cm (0.1–0.3 inches) wide, with obtuse apex, entire margin, symmetrical but tapering base, and reticulate venation. The texture of the leaf is extremely smooth due to the presence of numerous hairs.[13]
Considered a tender perennial (USDA Zones 7–9),[14] marjoram can sometimes prove hardy even in zone 5. Under proper conditions it spreads prolifically, and so is usually grown in pots to prevent it from taking over a garden.[15]
Marjoram is cultivated for its aromatic leaves, either green or dry, for culinary purposes; the tops are cut as the plants begin to flower and are dried slowly in the shade. It is often used in herb combinations such as herbes de Provence and za'atar. The flowering leaves and tops of marjoram are steam-distilled to produce an essential oil that is yellowish (darkening to brown as it ages). It has many chemical components, some of which are borneol, camphor, and pinene.
Oregano (Origanum vulgare), sometimes listed with marjoram as O. majorana, is also called wild marjoram. It is a perennial common in southern Europe and north to Sweden in dry copses and on hedge-banks, with many stout stems 30–80 centimetres (12–31 in) high, bearing short-stalked, somewhat ovate leaves and clusters of purple flowers. It has a stronger flavor than marjoram.
Pot marjoram or Cretan oregano (O. onites) has similar uses to marjoram.
Hardy marjoram or French/Italian/Sicilian marjoram (O. × majoricum), a cross of marjoram with oregano, is much more resistant to cold, but is slightly less sweet.[16]
O. × hybridum is known as showy marjoram or showy oregano.
Marjoram has long been used as a medicinal herb. Marjoram or marjoram oil has been used to treat cancer, colds, coughs, cramps, depression, as a diuretic, ear infections, gastrointestinal problems, headaches, and paralysis, as well as arthritis, chest congestion, and muscle aches. It has also been used as an aphrodisiac, mouthwash, tea, and in poultices, tinctures, and infusions.[18][failed verification][19][20][21] Though not all of its historic uses are scientifically backed, the plant has verifiable medical use. For example, it contains the phenolcarvacrol, which is antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial.[19][22] Ethanol extract is cytotoxic against fibrosarcoma cell lines, ethyl acetate extract has antiproliferative properties against PER.C6 and HeLa cells, as have hesperetin and hydroquinone, which can be isolated from marjoram extract.[23] Cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, antiulcerogenetic, anticholinesterase, anti-polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and anti-inflammatory effects were also found in dried marjoram, marjoram tea, or in compounds extracted from marjoram.[23] Marjoram is generally not toxic, but should not be used by pregnant or lactating women.[23] However, it is always important to be cautious and consult a doctor when using medical herbs.[24]
^ abSanderson, Helen; Renfrew, Jane M. (2005). Prance, Ghillean; Nesbitt, Mark (eds.). The Cultural History of Plants. Routledge. p. 111. ISBN0415927463.
^Benveniste, Daniel (September 1990). "Tantric Art and the Primal Scene". The San Francisco Jung Institute Library Journal (book review of Kali: The Feminine Force. Ajit Mookerjee. Rochester, VT, Destiny Books (Inner Traditions International), 1988). 9 (4): 39–55. doi:10.1525/jung.1.1990.9.4.39. ISSN0270-6210.
^Lévy, Isaac Jack; Lévy Zumwalt, Rosemary (2002). Ritual Medical Lore of Sephardic Women: Sweetening the spirits, healing the sick. University of Illinois Press. ISBN0-252-02697-7. OCLC1170078028.
^Adams, Sue (2017). "Herb Folklore"(PDF). Adams Fairacre Farms Grocery Store.
^Krikorian, A. D. (December 1996). "Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics. Albert Y. Leung, Steven Foster". The Quarterly Review of Biology. 71 (4): 609. doi:10.1086/419639. ISSN0033-5770.
^ abGruenwald, Joerg, Thomas Brendler and Christof Jaenicke, eds. 2000. PDR for herbal medicines. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics.
^Bown, Deni. 2001. The Herb Society of America new encyclopedia of herbs & their uses. New York: DK.
^Tucker, Arthur O. and Thomas DeBaggio. 2000. The big book of herbs: a comprehensive illustrated reference to herbs of flavor and fragrance. Loveland, CO: Interweave Press.
