Marjoram

(Origanum vulgare L., Labiatae)

Also Called: Wild Marjoram.

Description: Perennial plant, 20 50cm (8- 20in) high, branched above, often reddish.
The entire plant bears glandular hairs.
Leaves opposite, very vari&able in size, the lower ones being the larger (up to 5cm (tin) long), becoming smaller and smaller towards the apex; ovate to elliptica:, margin entire or broadly crenate.
Flowers 4-7mm (0 15-0 3in), pink to red, arranged in panicles on the branches.
Flowering: July-September.
All parts of the plant
have an agreeable aromatic odour resembling thyme.

Part Used: Dried flowering plant.

Habitat and Collection: A native of central Europe on calcareous and siliceous soils in warm places, in poor pastures, on roadsides, etc.
Common in England and Wales, local in Scotland.
The plant is collected when in flower and dried in the shade at less than 35 C (95 F).

Constituents and Action: Volatile oil and tannin.
It has antiseptic properties. internally for the digestive tract and externally as an application to wounds.
As for thyme, marjoram is also an expectorant and suppressant for coughs, an anti-diarroeal and anti-inflammatory. It is also used externally as a soothing lotion.
Cultivated marjoram (Marjorama hortensis) is used for similar purposes, it is less antiseptic but has a more powerful intestinal action.

Usage: Mainly as an infusion (0 5 litre (1 pt) of boiling water on 2 tablespoonfuls of chopped drug) for whooping cough.
The infusion is also used for other coughs, for diarrhoea and as a mouthwash for inflammation of the mouth and throat.
Also as an application to wounds and in strengthening baths for weakly children