Herbal Monograph, by Brooke Criswell
Marjoram - Origanum majorana
Marjoram is a new herbal
friend of mine. While I have been vaguely aware of it as a spice, I rarely used
it, and never grew it until this year. What a great little grower. I say
little, because as I write this monograph, the marjoram starts are a few inches
tall. The have a glorious new growth green color, and double in size every few
days right now. Soon the growth rate will level off a bit. As I pot them up
from starts crowded in a seed tray to their own individual pots, I notice they
have a strong, sweet, aroma between earthy and flowery in tone. The scent
reminds me very vaguely of the scent of elecampane (Inula helenium), though
decidedly distinct too, for I cannot abide the scent
of elecampane, and
enjoyed that of marjoram.
Part of the reason marjoram
is an effective spice, beyond tasty flavor, is that it supports digestion.
Marjoram constituents interact with the body in a way that increases the pepsin
and acid secretions, which aids digestion.
While marjoram may not
be the first plant to come to mind when you think of medicinal, as opposed to
culinary, herbs, it does boast many positive attributes. An academic article
entitled “A Review of Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, and Biological
Activities” published in 2016 in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary
and Alternative Medicine reports, “Wide range of pharmacological activities
including antioxidant, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, anti-platelet,
gastroprotective, antibacterial and antifungal, antiprotozoal,
antiatherosclerosis, anti-inflammatory, antimetastatic, antitumor, antiulcer,
and anticholinesterase inhibitory activities have been reported from this plant
in modern medicine.”1
Garden Use
Growing Conditions
Preferences
- Full sun
- Light, dry, well-drained soil
- Soil pH neutral or very close (6.9)
Plant details
Flowers August and September
Height 1 foot
Width 4 - 6 in.
Companion Planting
Affiliations
Unknown
Care notes
Tender perennial with
reported hardiness in zones 9 - 10; so consider growing marjoram as an annual
in northern climate (zones 8, 7, 6, 5, etc..)
Slow
grower at first, so be sure to keep marjoram planting weeded, lest the other
plants outcompete the marjoram seedlings.
Herbal Use
Parts Used -
Leaves and flowering
stems
Harvest by cutting stem tops. Dry the plant on screens in a well ventilated
area out of sunlight. To separate stems from leaves, rub the stems on a screen;
save shredded leaves in airtight container, compost stems.2
When to Harvest
·
Harvest in an as used
manner - harvest what you will use in the moment for spice, herb pillow, or tea.
·
Harvest at once and dry
cut herb when herb just starts to flower
o In our zone 6 climate, a single harvest is
recommended, as the second harvest may weaken the plant. However, if you are
growing as an annual with no look to the next growing season, a second harvest
is in order. Perhaps try a location over one winter to determine if marjoram
will renew growth the next spring, then you will know if your microclimate
suits the marjoram.
How to Prepare
Marjoram has a history as a folk remedy, though
little contemporary research has been conducted on its properties and
constituents.
- As a cooking spice
- Add dried or fresh marjoram to dishes while cooking.
- Sprinkle marjoram leaves over a salad.
- Infuse olive oil with marjoram
- Fill a clean mason, or other glass jar, ⅔ full with dried marjoram*
- Cover plant material with olive oil
- Lid jar to seal tightly
- Place jar in space where you will easily access
- Shake jar contents once daily
- Allow to sit for 4 weeks
- Strain and use oil as you would olive oil
*(if you use fresh
marjoram, the water ratio is higher and decreases the shelf life of the infused
oil and increases the risk of mold growth. You can make it with fresh herb,
just consider making a smaller batch you can use within a couple weeks, and
watch for the material going off if any microbes are introduced to the menstruum)
- As a scent for supporting restful sleep
The scent of marjoram is
purported to support restful sleep, so make a small pouch with marjoram leaves,
fresh or dried, and slip it under your pillow so that you breathe it is sweet
subtle scent as you drift to sleep.3
- As a tea
Infuse the aerial parts
of marjoram (leaves, flowers) in boiling water to extract many of the
beneficial constituents. The flavor is sweet and mildly spicy.
1.
Boil water
2.
Place 2 tsp of fresh
marjoram or 1 tsp of dried marjoram per 8 oz water into teapot, press, thermos,
or mason jar
3.
Pour boiling water over
blooms
4.
Cover (this is very
important, for if uncovered the constituents will rise with the steam, and you
will have a less flavorful, less potent cup of chamomile tea)
5.
Allow to steep for 10
minutes
6.
Strain and Enjoy!
Cautions/Considerations
Medicinal doses used during menstruation may cause irritation to uterus during
menstruation or pregnancy. Spice quantities are unlikely to cause discomfort.
Bibliography
- Bina, Fatemeh, and Roja Rahimi. “Sweet Marjoram.” Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, vol. 22, no. 1, 2016, pp. 175–185., doi:10.1177/2156587216650793.
- Kowalchik, Claire, et al. Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs. Rodale Press, 1987.
- “Marjoram.” Marjoram Ingredient: GaiaHerbs.com, www.gaiaherbs.com/products/ingredient/665/Marjoram.
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