Origanum majorana
| Origanum majorana | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 2' |
| Width: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Origanum majorana (common name: sweet marjoram)
Propagation: Seed - sow early spring at 10 - 13°c and only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 4 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer.
The seed can also be sown in situ in April or early May and, although it can be slow to germinate, usually does well[1].
Division in March or October. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.
Basal cuttings of young barren shoots in June. Very easy. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.
Cultivation: Requires a rather dry, warm, well-drained soil, but is not fussy as to soil type[2], thriving on chalk[3][4]. Prefers slightly alkaline conditions[5].
Sweet marjoram is often cultivated as a culinary herb, there are some named varieties[6][7]. Plants do not normally survive the winter outdoors in Britain so they are usually grown as an annual[3][1][8][4]. Another report says that it is possible to overwinter plants in areas with cold winters so long as you apply a thick mulch to the roots[5]. Plants do not often set seed in Britain[K].
A good companion plant, improving the flavour of nearby plants[8][2][9]. The flowers are very attractive to bees[10].
The bruised leaves emit a fragrance somewhat resembling thyme, but somewhat sweeter with balsamic undertones[11].
This is a sacred plant in India[12].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[13].
Range: N. Africa to Turkey.
Habitat: Dry slopes and rocky places, occasionally in partial shade, to 1500 metres in Turkey[14].
Edibility: Leaves - raw or cooked[15][16]. Sweet marjoram is widely used as a flavouring for salad dressings, vegetables, legumes and oils[17][8][18][19][12][20]. It has a more delicate flavour than the closely related oregano (Origanum vulgare), and is best when used fresh and only added towards the end of cooking[20].
The aromatic seeds are used as a flavouring in sweets, drinks etc[7].
A herb tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves[21][7]. The flavour resembles a blend of thyme, rosemary and sage[7].
Medicinal: Sweet marjoram is mainly used as a culinary herb, but is also medicinally valuable due to its stimulant and antispasmodic properties[22]. It is a good general tonic, treating various disorders of the digestive and respiratory systems. It has a stronger affect on the nervous system than the related oregano (O. vulgare) and is also thought to lower the sex drive[22]. Because it can promote menstruation, it should not be used medicinally by pregnant women though small quantities used for culinary purposes are safe[22].
The herb is antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cholagogue, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, stimulant, stomachic and mildly tonic[1][17][21][23]. It is taken internally in the treatment of bronchial complaints, tension headaches, insomnia, anxiety, minor digestive upsets and painful menstruation[20]. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women[20]. Externally, it is used to treat muscular pain, bronchial complaints, arthritis, sprains and stiff joints[20]. The plant is harvested as flowering begins and can be used fresh or dried.
Marjoram is often used medicinally in the form of the essential oil, about 400 grams being obtained from 70 kilos of the fresh herb[1]. The oil is used as an external application for sprains, bruises etc[1][23].
The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Muscle relaxant'[24].
Usage: The leaves and flowers yield 0.3 - 0.4% essential oil by steam distillation[23]. Called 'Oil of Sweet Marjoram', it is used as a food flavouring and in perfumery, soaps, hair products etc[25][19][12][20].
The plant is often used to disinfect bee hives[17].
Pollinators: Bees
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: O. majoranoides. Majorana hortensis.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Philbrick, Helen and Richard Gregg. Companion Plants. Watkins, 1979.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Thompson, Robert. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son, 1878.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Hylton, Josie and William Holtom. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press, 1979.
- ↑ Riotte, Louise. Carrots Love Tomatoes. Garden Way, 1978.
- ↑ International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association, 1981.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Hill, Albert. Economic Botany. The Maple Press, 1952.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Davis, Peter. Flora of Turkey. Edinburgh University Press, 1965.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Larkcom, Joy. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn, 1980.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ Vilmorin-Andrieux. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.
- ↑ Westwood, Christine. Aromatherapy - A Guide for Home Use. Amberwood Publishing, 1993.
- ↑ Schery. Robert. Plants for Man. Prentice Hall, 1972.