What is marjoram and what is it for

This aromatic herb related to oregano is one of the most popular at the culinary level. Proof of this is that it is one of the key ingredients of the bouquet garní, a condiment of French cuisine made with a mixture of plants.

Marjoram can be found as an annual, biennial or perennial plant, low in height and with an intense aroma. Its flowers are small, pink and white and are grouped in spikes. It is a plant that has its origin in the Mediterranean and East Asia, although it has now spread much further.

In the past, it was the favorite plant of the pharaohs of ancient Egypt, who already knew its medicinal and aromatic properties. Its main property is its great aroma and the pleasant flavor that is the ideal complement for a great variety of kitchen dishes, but it is far from being just that.

Among the active principles of the marjoram composition we find:

• Essential oils with origanol, thymol and cavracol.
• Phenolic acids
• Rosmarinic acid.
• Flavonoids (quercetol).
• Sesquiterpenes.

Thanks to this composition, the main properties of marjoram for our health are:

• Digestive
• Carminative.
• Sedative.
• Antispasmodic.
• Diuretic
• Hypotensive.
• Emenagogue.
• Antiseptic (mainly of the urinary system).
• Painkiller
• Antifungal.

Now that we have seen the composition and properties of this medicinal plant, we will tell you what marjoram is for . These are its main benefits and uses:

• This plant is a remedy traditionally used to treat digestive disorders and problems . It can be used both in cases of gastritis and stomach ulcers and even to alleviate food poisoning, since its essential oils fight the development of bacteria of all kinds. It also helps to reduce allergy symptoms to some foods.
• In this same area, it helps other digestive problems with effects as diverse as stimulating appetite, fighting halitosis or bad breath and even nausea.
• In case of diarrhea, it can help relieve intestinal pain, especially if it is combined with other plants with astringent properties.
• There are studies that affirm that marjoram also has a mild hypotensive effect , so it can help people with very high blood pressure.
• Migraine is another of the problems with which marjoram can help us, specifically with that of liver or digestive origin. When the liver malfunctions, or there is liver congestion, one of the possible effects of this problem and that we can identify as a symptom is migraine or migraine. This medicinal plant relieves disorders related to the digestive system, including those related to the liver.
• Due to its hypotensive properties, it is also a muscle relaxant and a natural tranquilizer, which is why it helps to conciliate a calm and pleasant sleep, as well as to calm states of nervous alteration such as stress.
• Applied directly to the skin, it is also very useful as an analgesic against low back pain, swollen joints or neck or muscle pain. It can also be applied to closed wounds or skin conditions to stimulate healing and reduce inflammation.
• It is also effective against fungal-type conditions, such as candidiasis.
• Finally, it is also used in rinses to reduce toothache, caused by sores or wounds in the mouth and inflammation of the tongue, gums and palate.

These are some recommendations on how to take marjoram to take advantage of its properties:

• The medicinal part of marjoram is concentrated in the bouquets of flowers available. They must be harvested at the peak of their flowering and, to take advantage of them properly, they must be dried.
• You can take marjoram infusion , either by itself or in combination with other herbs whose properties we are interested in combining with those of the marjoram itself. It is not recommended, however, to drink more than 2 cups a day .
• With it you can also prepare fluid extracts or tinctures to dilute in water, as well as pure essential oils. It is not difficult either to find it in the form of capsules in some specialized stores, or as oil or alcohol for rubs or massages.
• In addition, as a culinary ingredient it is common to use the leaves and stems of marjoram as an aromatic condiment and as an ingredient in sauces of all kinds. It is common to find it in recipes along with other plants, such as sage, thyme , bay leaf, basil , rosemary , oregano or mint .

Finally, we want to indicate the main contraindications of marjoram, especially if it is taken as an infusion or directly used as a pure essential oil. This plant in these formats and high doses should be avoided by people of very advanced age or under 10 years of age, as well as by pregnant or lactating women.

If you have your own marjoram plant at home, you can cut the stems when they are in full bloom. Cut them about 4 cm or 5 cm from the ground and store them somewhere in the shade and ventilated, at a temperature below 23 ºC, until they dry.

Once dried, the stems can be stored in airtight containers for up to a year. By keeping the marjoram dry so you can use it as soon as you need it and take advantage of its properties.