Herb Fact Sheet

Marjoram or Oregano

Origanum vulgare

Marjoram is also known as Oregano. There are three main species

• Wild marjoram,
• Sweet marjoram (Oreganum majorana), and
• Pot marjoram (Oreganum onites).

Sweet marjoram tastes better, so use that in cooking. 

There are many other cultivated varieties but their properties are similar.

The name, Oregano, comes from two Greek words - 'oros', which means mountain, and 'ganos' which means joy, or happiness.

Native habitat

• Europe
• Central Asia
• North America (where it has been naturalised)

It grows in hedgerows, dry pastures and scrub.

Growing conditions

• Likes a dry, lime-rich, chalky soil
• Prefers a sunny spot

Parts used

• Leaves

Properties

• Antiseptic
• Relaxing
• Tonic

Uses

Cooking

• Blends well with basil and thyme
• Flavours pizzas, sausages and tomato dishes

Medicinal

• Helps to relieve indigestion
• A tea made from marjoram helps you to sleep
• It eases coughs and colds
• Used as a gargle for sore throats
• Inhaling marjoram infused steam helps to clear catarrh
• An ointment made with marjoram eases aching and stiff muscles
• Good for baths and herbal pillows

History

• Romans used it in cooking
• Grown by monks for food flavouring and medicine
• Used in Medieval and Tudor times as a strewing herb

Folklore

• Ancient Greeks planted it on graves because they believed it brought joy to the dead.
• Romans thought it was a symbol of happiness and made crowns of it for couples at their weddings.

Marjoram growing in early spring

Flowering marjoram

The leaves of marjoram are the parts used

Basil (left), thyme (middle) and marjoram (right).

These herbs go well together in cooking

Nick used the Greek meanings for Oregano - happiness and mountain, to draw this.

Could you draw similar cartoons about other herbs? Send them to us and we'll put them on the website.

Activities

Flowers can be dried and used in flower arrangements.  Rosie says, "My friend uses them for flowers in her dolls' house."

I wonder if you like writing stories or poems? Nick and Rosie do.  Then, perhaps you would like to write an imaginative story of how Oregano got its name.

Or maybe you would like to try other story writing ideas to do with herbs. See the Activity Sheet - Writing Stories or Poems.