Name
The name “Origanum” comes from the Greek “origanon” which is a compound term formed with the words “oros” (mountain) and “ghana” (I am pleased), alluding to the concept of delight or ornament of the mountain. The specific name “majorana” derives from the Greek “amàrakos”, with meaning fragrant plant.
Also Known as
- sweet marjoram
- knotted marjoram
- common marjoram
- joy of the mountain
- wild marjoram
- wild oregano
- wintersweet
- mountain mint
Identification Keys
- tender soft-stemmed perennial bush
- square stalks
- grows up to 30 cm
- oval leaves
- opposite leaves
- tiny pink-lavender flowers
- flowers have a 1-lipped calyx deeply fissure on one side
- pungent, sweet, sage-like aroma.
Bloom Time
- July-September
Habitat
- hills
- sunny hedges
- sunny woodland clearings
- up to 2000 meters above sea level
- prefers dry soil, rocky, limestone soil
- it is sensitive to cold and can not stand the rigors of winter
Look-alikes
There are three other varieties of marjoram that it is often confused with but none of these has the
distinctive taste of Origanum majorana.
- Origanum vulgare (wild marjoram)
- Origanum onites (pot marjoram)
- Origanum pulchellum (showy marjoram)
Medicine Uses
Parts Used
Flower, leaf
Actions
digestive, carminative, tonic, stimulant, diaphoretic, antispasmodic, diuretic, antiviral, antioxidant, expectorant, sedative
Systems
Digestion
- relieves indigestion
- stimulates appetite
- relieves nausea, diarrhea and constipation
Circulation
- taken in hot tea, clears toxins via the skin
- stimulates blood flow
- improves circulation
- useful to treat chilblains, arthritis and gout
Mental and emotional
- eases loneliness and heartbreak
- relaxes physical and mental tension
- relieves stress-related symptoms (indigestion, colic, headaches, migraine)
- helps memory
- improves concentration
- relieves insomnia, depression and anxiety
Immune system
- probiotic
- reduce damage from free radicals
- retards ageing
- enhances immunity
- protects against winter infections (coughs, colds)
- active against bacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- helps against viruses as herpes simplex
- heals fungal infections such as candida
- clears phlegm
- soothes cough
- relieves sinusitis and fever
Urinary system
- clears toxins via urine
- antiseptic diuretic for infections
Externally
- use diluted essential oils to massage into painful joints, aching muscles, sprains and strains
- soothes oral pathologies such as mouth ulcers
Harvesting
- pick leaves as needed
- harvest tips from June to August when most flowers are open
- avoid woody parts when cutting trunks from 10 to 20 cm
- collect in a dry day and after the dew has evaporated
- dry in bunches hung from a string in a well ventilated place
