Sweet Marjoram

Sweet marjoram, also known as knotted marjoram, is one of the most popular mediterranean herbs grown for its culinary and medicinal values since ancient times. It has delicate sweet-flavor, and subtle pungent (spicy) taste; comparatively gentler than oregano (origanum vulgare). Botanically, marjoram is a member of labiatae family, in the genus, origanum. The labatiacea family also includes some of commonly known herbs and spices such as dill, anise, fennel, cumin, etc.

Sweet marjoram is native to asia minor (turkey); however, it grows in plentiful all over the mediterranean and southern parts of the europe. This herb plant is a small woody-stemmed shrub that grows abundantly in well-drained, lime soils. It reaches about 75 cm in height; feature a hairy stem with soft oval shaped dark-green leaves, and tiny pinkish-white flowers. In general, its leaves can be harvested from the plant just after the formation of its flower buds but before flowering. To blanch, hang the harvested stems in dark, dry room for about 7-10 days, then strip its leaves from the stems and store inside an air-tight container.

Several related species of marjoram grown either for culinary or therapeutic purposes. Pot marjoram (o. Onites) has white or pink flowers. Winter marjoram (o. Heracleoticum) has strong flavor, similar to that of wild marjoram (o.vulgare).

Sweet marjoram is one of very popular herb, especially in the mediterranean region. It was used by ancient greeks to make wreaths and garlands and was believed as a symbol of peace, harmony and happiness.

The herb contains many notable phyto-nutrients, minerals, and vitamins that are essential for optimum health and wellness.

The herb parts contain certain chemical constituents like eugenol sabinene, i plus-minus -terpinene, cymene, terpinolene, linalool, cis-sabinene hydrate, linalyl acetate, terpinen-4-ol and terpineol. These compounds have been known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.

Fresh herb has high levels of vitamin c (ascorbic acid); provide 51.4 ag or 86% of rda per 100 g. Vitamin-c is one of the powerful natural anti-oxidant help remove harmful free radicals from the body. Ascorbic acid also has immune booster, wound healing, and anti-viral effects.

Marjoram herb contains exceptionally high levels of beta-carotene, vitamin a, cryptoxanthin, lutein and zea-xanthin. 100 g of dry marjoram leaves carry 8068 iu or 269% of dri levels of vitamin-a. Carotenes, xanthins, and lutein are powerful flavonoid anti-oxidants. Together, these compounds help act as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ros) that play a role in aging, and various disease processes.

Vitamin-a is known to have antioxidant properties and is essential for healthy eye-sight. It is also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural foods rich in vitamin a and carotenes are known to helpaprotect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

Zea-xanthin, an important dietary carotenoid, is selectively absorbed into the retinal macula lutea in the eyes where itathought to provide antioxidant and protective light-filtering functions. It has proven beneficial action against age-related macular disease (armd), especially in the elderly.

Sweet marjoram is one of the richest herbal sources for vitamin k. 100 g of dry leaves provide about 518% of recommended daily intake. Vitamin-k has a potential role in bone mass building by promoting osteotrophic activity in the bones. It also has established role in the treatment of alzheimer's disease by limiting neuronal damage in the brain.

Marjoram herb carry good amount of minerals like iron, calcium, potassium, manganese, copper, zinc and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids, which helps control heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase.

Furthermore, its leaves are an excellent source of iron, contains 82.71 mg/100 g (about 1034% of rda). Iron is an important co-factor for cytochrome oxidase enzyme in the cellular metabolism. In addition, being a component of hemoglobin inside the red blood cells, it determines the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.

Sweet marjoram can be grown as a pot herb. Both fresh as well as shade dried leaves can be employed in the kitchens. Fresh marjoram leaves should feature deep gray-green in color and free from yellow discoloration. Its leaves are at their best when harvested just before flowering. Dry marjoram leaves and seeds can also be marketed in air-seal packs or containers.

Sweet marjoram is so well known, as an inhabitant in every garden, that it is needless to write any description of it, nor of the winter sweet majoram or pot marjoram.

Sweet marjoram is aromatic, and warming in the cold diseases of the head and stomach, and other parts, taken inwardly, or outwardly applied. The decoction is good for diseases of the chest which obstruct breathing, and it removes obstructions of the liver and spleen.

It neutralizes cold griefs of the womb, and the windiness thereof. The decoction thereof made with some pellitory of spain, and long pepper, is good for the first stages of dropsy, for those that cannot make water, and against pains in the belly. The powder mixed with honey, it obliterates the black marks of blows and bruises; it is good for inflammation and watering of the eyes, mixed with fine flour, and laid upon them. The juice dropped into the ears, eases pains and a singing noise. It is profitably put into ointments and salves that are warm, and comfort the outward parts, as the joints and sinews; and for swellings.

The powder snuffed provokes sneezing, and purges the brain, and chewed in the mouth, it promotes expectoration of phlegm. The oil is very warm and comfortable to stiff joints, to mollify and supple them. It is the principal compound of the various rubbing bottles, sold for outward application," i have known," says dr. Roberts, " the dried herb put into a bag and immersed in hot water, prove a capital fomentation for tumours and swellings. A strong infusion for a foot-bath is very effectual in relieving violent pains.

Marjoram herb parts contain many health benefiting compounds in essential oil such as terpenes, linalool, terpineol, carvocrol, linalyl acetate, ocimene, cadinene, geranyl cetate, citral, eugenol, etc. These compounds are known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Marjoram oil has been used to treat minor ailments like flatulence, muscular pain and rheumatism.

Eugenol in sweet marjoram (10% of eugenol) has been found to have anti-inflammatory function by acting against the enzyme cyclooxygenase (cox), which mediates inflammatory cascade in the body. This enzyme-inhibiting effect of the eugenol makes it an important remedy for symptomatic relief in individuals with inflammatory health problems like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and inflammatory bowel conditions.

When taken in moderation, it helps relieve menstruation pain and leucorrhoea. Since it increases menstruation flow the herb should not be taken during pregnancy and in menorrhagia conditions.