I could totally write a love letter to Marjoram. She is one of the most underrated and underused herbs. Marjoram is one of our oldest friends. We have evolved with marjoram since antiquity. Marjoram was sacred to ancient Romans, Egyptians, Greeks, Chinese, and Indians. All knew it as an herb of happiness and joy. In fact, it was once known as the joy of the mountain. It’s warm, aromatic, and green scent is like a little hug around your heart. It has uplifting citrus like tones, as well as a fresh piney note that delights the senses. People can rave about lavender all they like but marjoram is the number one sedative. She has the ability to calm, yet uplift. She will bring you peace without making you tired, or lethargic.
Origanum majorana
Native to the Mediterranean and Anatolia region, marjoram is a bushy perennial. Marjoram is just one more aromatically magical medicinal from the mint family. While she is in the same genus as oregano, she is not just your average oregano. When happy this herbaceous plant can reach 1–2 feet in height. It has the characteristic mint family square stems. These square branching stems are covered with cute little hairy, yet smooth, leaves, arranged oppositely in pairs. Marjoram also sports modest, pale little two-lipped flowers.
Marjoram is a wonderful plant to add to your garden. Butterflies and other beneficial insects love her. Marjoram is a toucan, not a polar bear. She loves warm weather and is hardy in zones 7 to 9. Occasionally she can push her comfort zone to be a perennial up to zone 5. Cold weather and freezing temps, however, are not her jam. Freezes will kill marjoram. If you live in an area prone to freezes you can still raise her. She does extremely well in containers. Marjoram likes her face in full sun and does best with her feet in well draining soil. She is an undemanding plant. Marjoram rarely requires any kind of fertilizer and is drought tolerant.
Marjoram is so loving she also makes a wonderful companion plant. You can plant her with almost anything. Some of the plants she loves most as neighbors are stinging nettles, potatoes, clery, onions, peas, and corn. Marjoram can stimulate growth and help protect these plants from harmful insects.
Marjoram eventually made its way to England in the Medieval times where they used it in beer and tobacco. It added flavor to snuff and acted as a preservative in beer.
Used by Romans as an aphrodisiac, as was sacred to the goddess Venus.
It was used to cast love spells and was worn at weddings as a sign of happiness during the Middle Ages.
In Egypt it was said to be the herb of Sobek. It is often found on the heads of mummies as funerary wreaths.
Aphrodite used marjoram to heal the wounds of her son Aeneas after he was injured in the Trojan War.
If marjoram is found growing around your grave it is assumed you are happy in heaven.
Marjoram is a common ingredient called for in German and Polish sausage recipes.
In French cooking, marjoram is frequently included in the herbes de provence blend.
Propagation and Uses
You can start marjoram from seeds indoors in the late winter to early spring. Once the threat of frost has passed, feel free to move her outside in the sunshine. In the summer to midsummer you can also propagate marjoram via soft stem cuttings. She is a mint after all. Older plants can also be multiplied by root division.
Marjoram is commonly used as a substitute for oregano even though its flavor is sweeter and more mild. Marjoram is a diverse and popular culinary herb commonly found in salad dressings, marinades, and soups around the world.
Properties of Marjoram Essential Oil:
Analgesic, Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Anti-infectious, Calmative, Digestive, Emmenagogue, Expectorant, Hypotensive, Laxative, Nervine, Sedative, Tonic, Vulnerary
Circulatory System
Marjoram is the herb of love. It is no surprise that she is a champion for the heart and the circulatory system. She can help with hypertension and eases palpitations. Marjoram increases circulation by dilating the arteries. This also makes her efficient at helping to ease migraine headaches.
Respiratory System
Marjoram is a wonderful ally for the respiratory system. She is antiseptic, expectorant, and antispasmodic. This makes her the perfect choice to treat coughs, bronchitis, colds, and flu. She is also adept at helping people recover from sinusitis.
Digestive System
Marjorams antispasmodic properties, help relieve abdominal cramping and gas. When the herb is digested she can also help ease constipation and will help stimulate digestion. Marjoram tea is particularly well suited to aid with digestion issues. It can also stimulate the appetite.
Muscular System
The analgesic properties combined with the antispasmodic nature make marjoram an effective treatment for muscle cramps and stiffness. She is also a good choice for people suffering from arthritis.
Mind
While marjoram has many physical benefits, the benefits she bestows on the mind is where she truly shines. Marjoram is effective at invoking calm and confidence. She is a sedative that can ease the effects of stress, nervous tension, anxiety, and mental exhaustion. If I’m ever suffering from insomnia I turn to marjoram. She calms us, but not in a lethargic way. She is balancing. She will calm your ass down, but also help you focus. She is a wonderful friend to hyperactive people. Marjoram is such a loving, happy herb she is also my go to when easing the feelings of depression.
Energetic properties
While marjoram is the number one sedative in the plant world she still connects us to our inner fire. Marjoram can be used to initiate change and personal growth. She is very supportive of emotional healing. She banishes negativity and brings in the light of divine love. Marjoram wants nothing more than to help you fulfill your purpose in the world. She will love, nurture, protect, and motivate you all along the way.
As the herb of love, marjoram is a popular addition to love spells. In folklore it is said that love is nurtured in marjoram's presence. She does love a happy home and will lend a sense of peace, beauty, and joy to her domestic environment. Even in antiquity people would add marjoram into food to promote peace and civility.
Precautions
Use in moderation. Avoid use during pregnancy. Avoid use with low blood pressure.
This website is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, and please check with your doctor before using plants if you are pregnant, using medications or have other health conditions.
Shameless Product Promo
Marjoram is featured in two of my favorite blands. The Yemaya blend and our brand new Anahata Chakra blend.
Anahata- LOVE
Marjoram, Basil, Cedarwood, Amyris
Anahata, the heart chakra is the chakra of love.The word Anahata comes from the Sanskrit meaning unhurt, unstruck and unbeaten. The love in Anahata is selfless, infinite, and boundless. It is not a feeling, it is a state of being. Anahata is ruled by the color green. Anahata is the middle point. It is where we integrate the fiery, earthy, warm, physical lower three chakras with the cooler, spiritual, and ethereal upper three chakras. WIth Anahata we begin to expand out of ourselves and into what's good for others. . Marjoram is the perfect choice to pair with the Anahata chakra. Not only is she the herb of love, joy, and happiness, she is particularly adept at healing the respiratory and circulatory systems. The Anahata blend is designed to strengthen and support the heart chakra. Anahata blend is uplifting and calming. While it is a wonderful blend to fight insomnia and relieve stress it can also enhance focus and concentration. Anahata blend is designed to promote peace, love, serenity, and connection. It is designed to open and protect your heart. Energetically, the Anahata blend, just like the chakra is all about love. Many of these plants are traditionally used in love spells. This is a very protective blend that is meant to bring peace and joy to your life. This is a powerfully cleansing blend that will clear negativity. It is a wonderful tool to aid with emotional healing. These plants are happy to light the way through some deep, dark shadow work. The Anahata chakra blend is available as a vegan soap and a pre-diluted essential oil roll-on. Soap- This smooth, hydrating soap is good for oily skin, yet it will not dry you out. It gets its beautiful green color from one of my favorite little algies, spirulina. Spirulina is antibacterial and full of antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Spirulina decreases inflammation, tones the skin and encourages cell turnover to promote a more youthful-looking complexion. Roll- on- The Anahata roll on is a perfect tool to use in meditations, and gratitude or forgiveness practices. It’s also a useful tool to use just to get through the day. If you are having trouble sleeping, or have been having a rough go of it lately, Anahata blend has your back.
Yemaya- NURTURE Marjoram, Benzoin, Basil, Spearmint
Yemaya, the Ocean Mother Goddess is one of the most powerful and sought after loas in Voodoo, and orishas in Santeria. Yemaya is the epitome of feminine maternal. She is a powerfully emotional healer, nurturing self-love, emotional healing, and prosperity for her children. Yemaya is the champion for all that feel lost or lonely, offering maternal love to all. She is the goddess of home, fertility, family, and love. The Yemaya blend of essential oils evokes the ocean. It embodies maternal nurturing, protection, and support. Yemaya is a creamy, soft blend of essential oils with a slight minty touch at the back. Emotionally, the essential oils in Yemaya promote self-love, emotional healing, stability, and prosperity. Physically all of these oils are known for their ability to relieve anxiety, insomnia, and stress. You can find this essential oil blend in our vegan soap formula, therapeutic grade essential oil blend, or as a pre-diluted essential oil roll-on. She is a wonderful choice to use as a spiritual bath. Not only is it a calming blend, it can also help ease muscle aches and pains. She is also a powerful ally to have, especial on those days you need a little extra nurturing.
Choose Love
It is really hard not to love the herb of love. Since the dawn of man we have cultivated, loved, and benefited from this plant. She is one of our oldest allies and it is not hard to see why. Whether you benefit from the herb in your food, the plant in your garden, or the essential oil, marjoram will fast track her way into your heart. She is a very understated, and underused herb. She is one of my favorites. I hope you choose to experience her and that you love her as much as I do.
References
The History of Marjoram
https://www.britannica.com/plant/marjoram
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marjoram
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/marjoram/tips-for-growing-marjoram.htm