MarjoramWild marjoram grows on the hillsides of Greece where it got it’s name thousands of years ago, “oros ganos”, joy of the mountain. It is a variety of oregano but only sweeter than traditional oregano. The Greeks used marjoram to rub into the forehead and hair after a bath. According to Greek mythology, Aphrodite created it as a symbol of happiness, but the ancient Egyptians used it long before the Greeks as a healing herb.
Europeans loved the scent of sweet marjoram when introduced during the Middle Ages. The ladies used the marjoram not only for medicinal purposed but also to put in nosegays because of it’s sweet scent. Nosegays were bouquets created exclusively to put up to the nose if foul odors were present. The made the nose “happy”. There are notations from the herbalist Gerard to give marjoram tea to the ladies that “are given to overmuch sighing”.
Even though nosegays kept the nose happy, marjoram actually provided a great deal of protection. When you hear the children’s rhyme “Ring around the Rosie, a pocket full of posies” refers to the red rash of the plague and the nosegays for the stench. During the epidemic of the Bubonic plague, the Black Death, the nosegay kept not only the stench of the dead away but according to recent findings may have been an added protection against the plague itself. Marjoram is a natural disinfectant with antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.
Those in the middle ages also used marjoram as a snuff. It’s was also used in unusual ways in the middle ages. Milkmaids putting it next to milk bucket during a rainstorm to keep the milk fresh. Many a wealthy house rubbed the leaves on the floor to create a pleasant smelling waxy shine.
The tea has been a favorite to treat a cold and sore throat. Folk remedies also used marjoram tea as a treatment for stomach pain, including colic. Of course, it was a favorite as a seasoning in foods, and often sited as a preservative in an era without refrigeration.
Today, an analysis of marjoram reveals that it contains saponins. There are various types of saponins but in marjoram, it acts as an expectorant, decongestant, prevent the build up of cholesterol and improve the circulation of the blood. There also are studies that indicate that marjoram by prove beneficial to Alzheimer’s patients.
A tea from marjoram acts also as a mild sedative. Since marjoram contains flavonoids, they and the saponins work together to stop cholesterol from forming plaque and increase blood circulation. Flavonoids also act as antioxidants and prevent the damage that occurs from free radicals in the body.
Many find relief from toothache pain and achy muscles and joints from a balm of marjoram. The phenylpropanoid, caffeic acid, in the plant acts as an anti-inflammatory analgesic that reduces pain when rubbed on stiff joints, sprains or arthritic joints.
If you’re pregnant or nursing, avoid using marjoram. Anyone with an allergy to plants from the mint family need to be aware that marjoram is also from that family of plants and could create an allergic reaction.
Many find relief from toothache pain and achy muscles and joints from a balm of marjoram. The phenylpropanoid, caffeic acid, in the plant acts as an anti-inflammatory analgesic that reduces pain when rubbed on stiff joints, sprains or arthritic joints.
If you’re pregnant or nursing, avoid using marjoram. Anyone with an allergy to plants from the mint family need to be aware that marjoram is also from that family of plants and could create an allergic reaction.
