Marjoram
Origanum majorana
Herbs & Roots. Western & European and Middle Eastern & Unani.
Also called Sweet marjoram, Knotted marjoram, Marjolaine (French)
Pinyin: Mǎ Yù Lán
Spanish: Mejorana
A sweet, mild herb in the oregano family, used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking.
Did you know? Marjoram's name is said to come from Greek words meaning joy of the mountain.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Digestion & gut health. Folk tea for stomach upset and gas. No good human trials.Traditional proof
- Infections. Marjoram oil slows some bacteria and fungi in lab tests. Human proof is missing.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Traditional use
Greek and Middle Eastern folk healers used marjoram tea for stomach upset, colds and nerves. In Europe it was long a kitchen and garden herb.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Carminative, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant. Energy: neutral.
How people take it
Used fresh or dried in meats, eggs, tomato dishes and soups. Folk tea is made from leaves steeped in hot water. No medicine dose is set.
Food and tea.
Where to get it
Native to the eastern Mediterranean and western Asia. Sold dried in jars and as fresh bunches in produce sections; marjoram oil is sold for skin use and aromatherapy.
Be careful
Culinary amounts are safe. Marjoram oil is strong and can irritate skin, so use it diluted. Little safety testing exists for medicine doses in pregnancy.
Avoid if: pregnancy (medicine doses).
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Common together in herb blends and poultry seasonings.
- Works well together
A close relative in the same genus, often used in similar dishes.
- Works well together
Often combined in Mediterranean roasts and breads.
The honest take
Marjoram is a sweet, mild herb with a real kitchen role. Its stomach and calming claims rest on tradition, and lab work on its oil has not been followed up with good human trials. Marjoram is not the same plant as oregano, even though they are close cousins.