Wild Marjoram

(a.)(Origanum vulgare)

~ by Gardnbee ~

Common Names: Wild Marjoram, mountain mint, oregano, winter marjoram and wintersweet.

This plant is a wild perennial that originated in the regions of Europe and Asia but can be found growing wild in areas of North America although not abundantly so these days.

Its creeping rootstock produces a somewhat square, downy, purplish stem with opposite, ovate leaves that are dotted with small depressions and little showy purple, two-lipped terminal flower clusters that grow from July to October in fields, roadsides and some dry wooded areas. It reaches a height of between 12 to 30 inches depending on growing conditions.

Unlike Pot Marjoram (Origanum Onites), Sweet Marjoram (O. Marjorana) and Winter Marjoram (O. Heracleoticum) that is specifically cultivated for gardens and used in culinary preparations this plant is collected mainly for its medicinal properties such as: Antispasmodic, calmative, carminative, diaphoretic, expectorant, stomachic and tonic.

An infusion, for example, of the fresh herb has beneficial effects on upset stomach and indigestion, headache, colic and nervous complaints as well as coughs, whooping cough and other respiratory ailments.

An infusion of its flowers has been held to assist with motion sickness while having a calming effect and Wild Marjoram Oil has been used externally in lotions, liniments and even to treat toothaches not to mention its use in Herbal baths or even using its bruised leaves to make a sleep pillow to help with difficulty in sleeping.

The whole Herb is used in one form or another whether as a culinary additive or for medicinal purposes. All Marjoram is very pungent, meaning sharp and stimulating to the senses and as such should be used lightly when incorporating into food preparation.

Want to adventure and explore the benefits of Nature? Invest in a good, reliable Herb Guide, an informative Cook book that includes the use of Herbs and well just enjoy the adventure of discovering Nature differently than it may at first appear to you :)

         

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