Marjoram health benefits include pain relieving potential and acting as a digestive aid. So why is it that more people don’t take advantage of it? The answer to this and much more will be revealed in what we cover today.
What is Marjoram?
For centuries, marjoram has been a staple in European cuisine, where it is said to possess a flavor closely related to that of oregano. In fact, oregano is classified as “wild marjoram”, giving a clue about how closely related they really are to each other.
Known binomially as Origanum majorana, marjoram is native to a very limited geographical distribution, found only in Turkey and Cyprus, owing to its relative sensitivity to significant temperature fluctuations, especially cold.
Its leaves are the part of the plant used most commonly in cooking, and as will be revealed below, it’s numerous benefits for your health.
Marjoram Nutrition (per 100g, actual serving size is a fraction of this)
Calories 271
Total Carbohydrate 60g 20% RDI
Dietary Fiber-40g 161% RDI
Vitamin A-8067IU 161% RDI
Vitamin C-51mg 86% RDI
Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol)1.7mg 8% RDI
Vitamin K-622mcg 777% RDI
Thiamin-0.3mg 19% RDI
Riboflavin-0.3mg 19% RDI
Niacin-4mg 21% RDI
Vitamin B6-1.2mg 60% RDI
Folate-274mcg 69% RDI
Calcium-1990mg 199% RDI
Iron-82.7mg 460% RDI
Magnesium-346mg 87% RDI
Potassium-1522mg 43% RDI
Zinc-3.6mg 24% RDI
Copper-1.1mg 57% RDI
Manganese-5.4mg 272% RDI
Selenium-4.5mcg 6% RDI
11 Amazing Benefits of Marjoram
1. Improves Digestive Health
Marjoram, like oregano is a common staple in the pantries of people living in Mediterranean and European regions, where amongst its many benefits is improved digestion. This starts from the point of the mouth, where it increases salivation to begin the process of digestion. It continues by increasing the secretion of gastric juices in the stomach and also promoting gastric emptying so that food enters the intestine faster. This makes marjoram especially useful during periods of convalescence when appetite may be poor and you lack the desire to consume food.
2. Supports Heart Health
Marjoram can also be of great benefit to the heart and entire circulatory system by extension, thanks to its abundance of anti-oxidant nutrients. These nutrients help to reduce the impact of oxidative and inflammatory processes on these critical structures so that atherosclerosis does not occur at an accelerated speed. Its calming nature also means that it can assist with hyperspastic states of the heart when a reduction in pulse may be desired. It should come as no surprise that natives in regions where marjoram grows abundantly also have relatively lower rates of cardiovascular illness when compared to the worldwide average.
3. Regulates Menstrual Cycle
Marjoram has beneficial actions on female hormonal health where, amongst many other functions it can assist with regulation of menstrual health. Owing to these properties it is referred to as an emmenagogue, or a natural product that stimulates menstruation. It also shows great potential in helping women deal with symptoms of PMS, and even older women who may be going through menopause.
4. Improves Blood Glucose Control
If you have been diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic, you are in luck, as marjoram is here to offer you much needed assistance with your blood glucose levels. Marjoram and oregano both contain specific enzymes which contribute to improved blood glucose readings since their actions are said to help improve insulin sensitivity. Development of insulin resistance is a major hurdle diabetics face and which often worsen their prognosis of the condition.
5. Promotes Sleep
Do you regularly have difficulty getting or staying asleep? If so, then maybe you would be well served by chowing down on some marjoram leaves before bed. Ok, maybe not that drastic, but you do stand to benefit handsomely from ensuring that you do consume more over the course of the day.
Alternatively, you can also diffuse marjoram essential oil around your home to initiate the process of unwinding, or apply locally to your upper torso for a soothing massage to get to sleep. If you are looking for a safe natural choice to help you sleep, choose marjoram.
6. Natural Pain Relief
Marjoram offers decent pain relief by modulating inflammatory processes, making it useful for dealing with minor aches and pains. You may be best served by applying locally after making into a paste or by using the essential oil, or you can consume a bit of the leaves.
7. Heals Gastric Ulcers
It is unclear why some people are more predisposed to developing gastric ulcers than others, though it has been observed that these individuals have higher colonies of the H.Pylori bacteria in their digestive tract. Marjoram consumption has been found to significantly reduce the likelihood of ulcers developing, even if you already have a history of them. Plus, it can actually promote healing of the ulcers by reinforcing the mucosal lining of the stomach that protects it from hydrochloric acid.
8. Speeds Up Recovery Of Common Colds
Marjoram is exceptionally useful for helping you recover from the common cold, regardless of if yours was caused by a bacteria or virus. In addition to its antimicrobial properties, marjoram also exhibits expectorant actions to loosen mucus and promote its removal. Addition that to the bronchodilatory and decongestant effects and you have an invaluable aide against the common cold.
9. Antibacterial Activity
As previously alluded to, marjoram has antimicrobial properties that can help in the resolution of infections with a pathogenic origin, but it is important to keep in mind the fact that many super bacteria are around today that would simply laugh in the face of marjoram’s underpowered effect. However, you can still reap experience its maximal potency for the majority of superficial skin infections such as for prevention of wound infections following cuts or minor bruises. Marjoram used this way can also hasten the natural healing process and minimize residual scarring.
10. Natural Diuretic
Shortly after starting to consume marjoram you are bound to notice one of its most prominent effects- an increased rate or urination. This benefit is actually quite useful, as people with increased urinary outputs are less likely to develop kidney stones as the time waste spends in the bladder and kidneys is reduced. This also means that sedimentation is less likely to happen. Natural diuretics are also useful for helping to manage conditions characterized by larger blood volumes, such as in patients with heart failure.
11. Helps Manage Blood Pressure
Marjoram possesses vasodilatory properties which can help you maintain healthy blood pressure values. Vasodilators cause widening of blood vessels to accommodate larger blood volumes. Its diuretic properties also contribute to blood pressure management as flushing of excess fluid via the kidneys lends itself to favorable blood volume.
Conclusion
There are many other reasons for you to consume marjoram, but if you’re looking for the most straightforward one, how about simply to make the food you prepare more interesting? Remember, its flavor closely resembles oregano, so mix things up and enjoy the benefits you experience along the way.
[james]https://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/spices-and-herbs/193/2
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marjoram
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-563/marjoram
https://www.rxlist.com/marjoram/supplements.htm[/james]
