Marjoram
Botanical Name: Origanum heracleoticum (Winter Marjoram),
Origanum vulgare aurean (Golden Marjoram)
Other Names: Joy of the mountain, oregano, origane
Habitat: Grassy places
Description: Herbaceous perennial 60cm/2ft. Leaves oval,
untoothed. Flowers pale pink/purple July – October
Native to: Europe, Britain
Cultivated in: USA, India, South America
Part Used: The whole herb
Cultivation: Seeds sown March calcareous soil Well drained
soil
Harvesting: Whilst in full bloom
Preserving: Freeze, dry or preserve in vinegar or oil
Actions: Analgesic, anthelmintic, Antirheumatic, antiseptic,
antispasmodic, antitoxic, antiviral, bactericidal, carminative, choleretic,
cytophylactic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, fungicidal,
parasiticide, rubefacient, stimulant, tonic
Extraction: Steam distillation of dried flowering herb
Constituents: Carvacrol, Thymol, cymene, caryophyllene,
pinene, bisabolene, linalol, borneol, geranyl acetate, linalyl acetate, terpinene
Culinary Uses: Meat, vegetables, salads
Skin: Bruises, swellings
Digestive: Toothache
Nervous system: Nervous headaches
Caution: Do not use when pregnant
Marjoram – Pot
|
Botanical Name |
Origanum onties |
|
Description |
Herbaceous perennial 60cm/2ft. Square branched stems Leaves hairy, small. Flowers White or pink July – October |
|
Native to |
Mediterranean |
|
Cultivation |
Sow seeds early in spring. Well-drained light soil, sheltered spot. Seeds sown 1cm deep and thinned to 25cm/10in |
|
Propagation |
Root division Spring or autumn. Cuttings: summer |
Marjoram –Sweet
| Botanical Name | Origanum majorana |
| Family | Lamiaceae (Labiatae) |
| Other Names | Knotted marjoram, morjorana hortensis, sweet marjoram, wild marjoram |
| Habitat | Dry, rocky places |
| Description | Bushy aromatic perennial up to 60cm/2ft, hairy, branched stem, dark green oval, opposite, short stalked leaves up to 1.5cm long, 1cm broad, grey/white/pink small flowers in clusters or knots green bracts July-September |
| Aroma | Warm |
| Native to | Mediterranean |
| Actions | Analgesic, anaphrodisiac, anti-oxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, bactericidal, carminative, cephalic, cordial, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, fungicidal, hypotensive, laxative, nervine, restorative, sedative, stomachic, stimulant, tonic, vasodilator, vulnerary |
| Extraction | Steam distillation of flowering herb |
| Constituents |
Terpineol, linalyl acetate, ocimene, cadinene, geranyl acetate, citral, eugenol, borneol, camphor, caryophyllene, pinene Volatile oil: cis-sabinene hydrate, trans-sabinene hydrate, sabinene, linalool, carvacrol, 4-terpineol, alpha-terpinene, gamma-terpinene, estragole, eugenol, thymol, germacrene-D Flavonoids: luteolin-7-glucoside, diosmetin-7-glucoside, apigenin-7-glucosides Caffeic acid derivatives –rosmarinic acid Triterpenoids –ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, phytosterols Hydroquinones –methyl arbutin |
| Combines with | Bergamot, cypress, lavender, rosemary, rosewood, ylang ylang |
| Note | Middle |
| Skin | Chilblains, bruises, ticks |
| Circulatory, muscle joint | Arthritis, lumbago, rheumatism, sprains |
| Respiratory | Asthma, bronchitis, coughs |
| Digestive | Colic, constipation, dyspepsia, flatulence |
| Genito-urinary | Amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, leucorrhoea. PMT |
| Immune | Colds |
| Nervous system | Headaches, hypertension, insomnia, migraine, nervous tension, stress |
| Other Uses | Soaps, detergents, cosmetics, perfumes |
| Other Notes | The name oregano comes from the Greek meaning “joy of the mountains” |
| Caution | Do not use if pregnant May cause drowsiness |