Marjoram is an herb that has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and culinary dishes. This herb has a sweet and savory flavor that adds a unique flavor to soups, stews, dressings, and sauces. The herb is also known to have many health benefits, such as aiding digestive health, promoting relaxation, and helping to reduce inflammation. In this post, we will explore the many ways to use it in your cooking, as well as the incredible health benefits it can provide. We will also discuss some of the best ways to store and preserve the herb so that you can enjoy its flavor and health benefits for years to come.
Marjoram Nutrition Facts and Calories Chart
Marjoram is a nutrient-dense herb, rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It contains significant amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, and iron. The herb also contains beneficial compounds such as carvacrol, thymol, and terpenes, which are thought to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It can also help to boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, and provide cardiovascular protection. Nutritional value per 100 g marjoram:
- Biotin: 0 μg
- Calcium: 634 mg
- Carbohydrates (Carbs): 41 g
- Chloride: 38 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Choline: 0 mg
- Chromium: 0 μg
- Copper: 0.7 mg
- Dietary Fiber: 6.7 g
- Energy (Calories): 281 kcal
- Fat: 13.7 g
- Iodine: 0 μg
- Iron: 11.2 mg
- Magnesium: 145 mg
- Manganese: 1.3 mg
- Molybdenum: 0 μg
- Pantothenic Acid: 1.3 mg
- Phosphorus: 163 mg
- Potassium: 1785 mg
- Protein: 10.3 g
- Saturated fat: 2.3 g
- Selenium: 0 μg
- Sodium: 75 mg
- Sugars: 5.3 g
- Vitamin A: 10641 IU
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamin): 0.3 mg
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): 0.2 mg
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin): 1.4 mg
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid): 1.3 mg
- Vitamin B6: 0.5 mg
- Vitamin B9 (Folate / Folic Acid): 83 μg
- Vitamin B12: 0 μg
- Vitamin C: 15.3 mg
- Vitamin D: 0 IU
- Vitamin E: 5.3 mg
- Vitamin K: 351.5 μg
- Water: 8.4 g
- Zinc: 0.9 mg
Marjoram in India
Marjoram is effective for the treatment of nervous disorders. Also good for the digestion. Wild marjoram sometimes also known as oregano is common to cuisines of the Mediterranean, the aromatic, slightly spicy flavor of marjoram adds zest to food, while stimulating digestive activity. In ancient times the herb was reputed to promote longevity, a belief that encouraged the ancient Greeks to include it in perfumes, cosmetics, and medicine. In folk tradition the herb was believed to bring joy to newlyweds and peace to the dead. It also strengthens intestinal peristalsis, and eases menstrual cramps.
- Scientific Binomial: Origanum majorana
- Common English: Sweet or Knotted or Pot marjoram
- Ayurvedic: Sukhaatmaka / Marubaka / Phanijjaka
- Unani: Marzanjosh
- Sanskrit: Ajanmasurabhi / Marwa
- Hindi / Urdu: Maruae / Santhraa / Jangali Maruaa / Murwa / Sathra
- Bengali
- Marathi: Marwa / Mijirikamy
- Telugu: Maruvamu
- Tamil: Marikozhundhu / Chutanaccu / Kuvalamayam
- Gujarati
- Kannada: Maruga
- Malayalam
- Oriya
- Punjabi / Sindhi
- Assamese
- Kashmiri
- Konkani
- Manipuri
- Dogri
- Bhojpuri
Home Remedies
There are 2 varieties are marjoram – wild and sweet. Sweet marjoram is commonly used in cooking. It has flavor similar to basil and aroma resembles mint and cloves. Fresh leaves can be used as salad where as dry leaves powder is used for seasoning food.
- Women’s Health: Marjoram is useful in promoting and regulation menstruation. The herb infusion is good for menstruation and is also helpful to promote the secretion and flow milk in nursing mothers.
- Headache: For a common headache take basil, cayenne pepper, ginger, and marjoram, and mix together in a tea. As it cools, take a few sips and see if the headache slowly disappears. Chewing a few fresh leaves of this herb will help clear the head. Inhaling the herb can help to relieve headaches and migraine.
- Fungal Infection: Apply marjoram infusion or the diluted oil (a maximum of 5% dilution in a carrier oil such as olive oil) regularly to skin problems such as ringworm and fungal nails.
- Lowers Blood Pressure: Marjoram essential oil helps to relax and most often used to calm the body and bring down blood pressure. It is a sedative and nerve tonic which works to relieve nervous tension and promote restful sleep. The oil is a vasodilator which is beneficial in treating high blood pressure and improving circulation. Add either or both to a bath, or combine with a carrier oil and use it in a massage.
- Manages Pain: Marjoram oil is helpful for sprains, bruises, stiff, paralytic limbs and toothache.
- Stomach Problems: It expels gas from the stomach. If you need to stimulate your digestive system and improve overall circulation, marjoram and black pepper will help. Marjoram oil can be beneficial as hot fomentation in acute diarrhea. Hot fomentation of dried leaves and tops applied in bags is helpful for colic as well as effective for relieving painful swelling in rheumatic diseases.
- Altitude Sickness: Marjoram along with other herbs is good home remedy for altitude sickness. In a pot of boiling water, steep Cloves, Allspice, Bay Leaf, Celery Seed, Cinnamon and Marjoram in quantities to taste. Mix in Basil, Savory and Thyme mints. Should be taken in advance of anticipated travel or hike.
- Common Cold: Add 4 drops marjoram and 2 drops eucalyptus to a hot bath to relieve cold symptoms, or add 2 drops to 1 teaspoon (5ml.) of vegetable oil and use as a chest rub. With strongly antiseptic and anti microbial constituents, oregano infusion or tincture is a useful expectorant in bronchial infection, chesty coughs, and respiratory catarrh. Antiviral and bactericidal properties help to fend off colds and infections, and its expectorant properties make it a useful oil to include in a steam inhalation for chest infections.
- Asthma: Marjoram can be useful in the treatment of asthma as it is mucus clearing food. It helps expel and loosen phlegm from the mucous membranes and the nasal and bronchial passages. If taken in small quantity, stimulates the sweat glands and helps moisten dry skin during influenza. Massaged into the chest or throat, marjoram can also relieve painful coughs.
Marjoram vs Oregano
Marjoram and oregano are both herbs from the mint family. They are both used in savory dishes to enhance flavor, and are often used interchangeably in cooking. Marjoram has a milder, sweeter flavor than oregano. It is often used in French, German, and Italian cuisines, and is especially popular in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean recipes. Oregano has a stronger flavor than marjoram and is commonly used in Greek, Italian and Mexican dishes. It is also the preferred herb for pizza and tomato sauces.
Warnings and Side Effects
Do not use during pregnancy.