All About Marjoram | Know Your Spice Marwa (Majorana hortensis)

Marjoram (Majorana hortensis) is a perennial aromatic herb. Its dried leaves & flower tops constitutes the spice.

Also known as sweet marjoram, it is characterized by a strong spicy pleasant odour.

It is an aromatic herb in the mint family that has been grown in the Mediterranean, North Africa, and Western Asia for thousands of years.

While similar to oregano, it has a milder flavor and is often used to garnish salads, soups, and meat dishes. Majorana hortensis is also used in spice seasonings, sausages and salamis.

Since it has a delicate perfume, it can be lost easily while cooking. It is best to add Majorana hortensis shortly before the end of cooking. Its aromatic seeds are used in confectionery.

Sweet marjoram is considered carminative, expectorant and tonic. Its flavour is fragrant, slightly sharp bitterish and camphoraceous.

In ancient Greece and Rome, the Majorana hortensis plants were associated with Aphrodite and Venus (respectively).

The Greeks have many myths and gave us the name of this ancient culinary herb: oros ganos, meaning joy-of-the-mountain.

Goddess Aphrodite is attributed with imparting the sweet-spicy smell to the Marjoram herb as a symbol for luck.

Bridal couples were crowned with garlands of Majorana hortensis and plants were placed on tombstones to give rest to haunted spirits.

The Greeks loved the smell after a bath, as Marjoram oil was massaged on their forehead and hair.

Before hops were widely used to make beer, it was Marjoram and oregano (same family) that flavored ales during the Middle Ages.

It is believed that in Latin, even if majorana came from a foreign word – one source speculates that its ultimate origin might be the Sanskrit maruva (which also means “marjoram”)

Maruva pronunciation became confused with the Latin major, “greater.”

• Majorana hortensis is added to mouth rinse and its cures inflamed skin wounds and infections.
• Fresh as well as dry herb is one of the most popular culinary spice. It is used globally in salad, meat and vegetable dishes for flavour.
• It used as stomachic, spasmolytic, carminative and expectorant agents in folk medicine and in official medicine.
• It is used as a “nerve tonic” and a “heart tonic,” and to promote better blood circulation.
• The essential oil is used for coughs, gall bladder complaints, stomach cramps and digestive disorders, depression, dizziness, migraines, nervous headaches, nerve pain, paralysis, coughs, runny nose; and as a “water pill.”
• It is often used in body care products such as soaps, lotions, and shaving gel.
• The essential oil is also used in aromatherapy treatments because of its apparent ability to sooth one to sleep and reduce stress.

Marjoram has a flavour that is often described as minty, sweet, or woodsy.

Properly stored, marjoram is likely to stay good for three to four years.

Like all dried herbs and spices, store your marjoram in an airtight container in a cool dark space.

Fresh oregano is a good substitute for fresh marjoram. Since it has a more pungent and less sweet flavor, use about half the amount of oregano.

Do keep in mind that dried oregano tends to taste even stronger than the fresh one. You can also experiment with sage, thyme, summer savory, or basil as marjoram substitutes.

Dried herb can be found in the spice aisle of most supermarkets, and you can also find fresh leaves, oil extract, or tea bags at health food and specialty stores.

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The following are health benefits of Marjoram (Majorana hortensis), Maggiorana or Marwa

• Health Benefits of Marwa as an Antioxidant – Antioxidants are naturally occurring compounds that help protect cells against damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals.
• Health Benefits of Marjoram against Diabetes – Studies have shown that marjoram is an excellent choice for people trying to manage their diabetes.
• Health Benefits of Marwa for Heart Health – Marjoram may be extremely beneficial for your cardiovascular health. Studies have found that marjoram is effective in lowering blood pressure without affecting the heart rate.
• Health Benefits of Marjoram as an Antibacterial & Antifungal Agent – Marjoram essential oil demonstrated antibacterial and antifungal effects against bacteria & fungi.
• Health Benefits of Marwa as an Anti-inflammatory Agent – Several compounds in marjoram, such as carvacrol, have been shown to have antioxidant effects. In particular, they may help reduce inflammation in your body.
• Health Benefits of Marjoram as an Antimicrobial Agent – Extracts and oils from the Marwa plant show moderate antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.
• Health Benefits of Marwa as a Diuretic – Marjoram also has diuretic properties, which increases the production of urine as well as the frequency of urination. As a result, excess water, salts and toxins are flushed out of the system. This also helps in lowering blood pressure.
• Health Benefits of Marjoram as a Natural Antiseptic – Marjoram essential oil is an efficient antiseptic, which makes it ideal for treating internal and external wounds. It is effective in treating septic conditions and preventing tetanus.
• Health Benefits of Marwa for Skincare – Leaves of marjoram as well as the essential oils obtained from it are often used in many skin products such as lotions, creams and soaps. This herb is packed with antioxidants, which can help prevent free radical damage.
• Health Benefits of Majorana hortensis for Digestion – Leaves of marjoram act as a soothing tonic that helps improve the performance of the digestive system. It can boost your appetite and promote digestion by stimulating the production of saliva and digestive enzymes.
• Health Benefits of Majorana hortensis for Better Sleep – The marjoram by-product, like its oil, helps eliminate snoring, as it promotes the respiratory system and calms the larynx. Marjoram essential oil is a wonderful remedy for people with insomnia, as it has the ability to soothe and calm the mind.
• Health Benefits of Marjoram against Cancer – Due to the high amount of antioxidant found in marjoram, it is very beneficial for our health and also helps to prevent various types of cancer from our body because antioxidant helps to prevent the oxidative damage to our healthy cells from free radicals
• Health Benefits of Marwa for Better Immunity – Marjoram is an immunity booster because of the presence of nutrients like vitamin A and vitamin C, both of which also acts as strong antioxidants.
• Health Benefits of Marjoram as an Emmenagogue – Marjoram oil can help alleviate other symptoms of menstruation like headache, dizziness, and mood swings. Marjoram essential oil also helps prevent premature menopause.