Sweet Marjoram

All About Sweet Marjoram

There are many plant varieties of marjoram. People use the herb for a cough, congestion, and respiratory complaints. A few studies suggest it may help with hypertension, hyperglycemia, menstrual complaints, and sore muscles. The aroma has a calming effect.

Fun Fact

Sweet marjoram belongs to the oregano genus (Origanum), of which there are over 50 species.

Sweet Marjoram Research

Limited human studies have shown the plant may help with insomnia, hypotenstion, menstrual complaints, respiratory issues, pain, and anxiety; more research is needed. Multiple in vitro studies have demonstrated antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, hypoglycemic, and antioxidant activities. Click the button below for a detailed review of research.

Sweet Marjoram Research

Sweet Marjoram Blog Articles

Differences Between Oregano, Sweet Marjoram & Thyme Essential Oils

Do Essential Oil Diffusers Really Work?

Essential Oils and Menstrual Pain – Recipes and Research

Sweet Marjoram Herb and Essential Oil

Latin Name: Origanum majorana

Family: Lamiaceae

Other Names

Other common names: Oregano, knotted marjoram, French marjoram, marjolaine, marubaka, marwa, mejorana
Other Latin names: Majorana hortensis Moench, Origanum dubium Boiss
Not to be confused with Spanish marjoram (Thymus mastichina) which is high in 1,8-cineole and camphor.
Not to be confused with oregano (Oreganum vulgare); because sometimes O. majorana is called "oregano" in certain countries.

Plant Description

Sweet marjoram is a perennial plant with green grey leaves and small white flowers. While not to be confused with oregano (Oreganum vulgare), countries in the East may call Origanum majorana "oregano." It is also often confused with Thymus mastichina, also known as Spanish marjoram or oregano, which belonging to the thyme family.

Herb Description

This Mediterranean perennial herb has small savory leaves. A tea can be prepared with about 12 leaves in 2 cups of boiled water, steeped for 10 minutes.

Oil Description

Oil is non-greasy, colorless, or pale green or yellow. The sweet type has a warm, spicy, woody, menthol aroma. Origanum majorana has chemovariety, with a sweet type high in terpinen-4-ol, a carvacrol type consisting of up to 81% carvacrol, and a linalool type coming from wild species and containing up to 67% linalool and 23% carvacrol (Tisserand & Young, 2014).