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