Marjoram belongs to the family Lamiaceae, genus Origanum species Origanum majorana. Marjoram is known by the following names: English: marjoram, French: marjolaine, German: majoran, Italian: maggiorana, Spanish: mejorana. Local names are Pot marjoram, sweet marjoram, knotted marjoram, wild marjoram (oregano), Marwa, ban tulsi, Marru, maruga, maruvanu and murru. Common names in different languages are in Oregano, Wild marjoram • Arabic: Sa'tar • Bengali: Jungli Marua • Dogri: Marua • Hindi: Ban Tulsi, Kedar Tulsi, Sathra, Mirzanjosh • Kannada: Maruga • Kashmiri: Marzan-Josh, Van Babbar • Konkani: Mijrikamv • Malayalam: Kaattumaruva • Nepali: Raam Tulasee, Sajiwan • Odia: Saptala, Sara • Pahari: Baasalo Ghaas, Jakhm Bootee • Punjabi: Mirzanjosha • Sanskrit: Maruvaka • Telugu: Mridumaruvamu • Urdu: Satar, Zatar. Oregano is a Greek word formed from the words “Oros” and Ganos. The literal meaning of “Oros” is mountain” and “Ganos” literally means “beauty”. This means the joy of the mountain. The English word "oregano" is a borrowing of the Spanish orégano, which derives from the Latin orīganum, which itself comes from Classical Greek ὀρίγανον (orī́ganon). The ultimate origin is disputed; some claim it is a compound Greek term that consists of ὄρος (óros) meaning "mountain", and γάνος (gános) meaning "joy", thus, "joy of the mountain" while The Oxford English Dictionary states it is "probably a loanword [as] the plant comes from Africa". Marjoram is a very popular aromatic, perennial and herbaceous plant, especially in Mediterranean countries. It is considered to be a carminative expectorant and tonic. It contains exceptionally high levels of β-carotene, zeaxanthin, lutein, vitamin A and cryptoxanthin. Later three are powerful antioxidants and work as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals. The most widely studied properties of marjoram are its ability to improve the hemoglobin (Hb) of the body, mainly due to its high iron and folate content. Marjoram is a perennial herb. It’s very cold-sensitive and grows best in warm climates. Marjoram is known for its sweet pine and citrus flavours. Some cultures use marjoram and oregano interchangeably. Marjoram is also known as sweet marjoram, knotted marjoram, or pot marjoram. The marjoram herb is indigenous to the Mediterranean. It also grows in Cyprus, Turkey, the Arabian Peninsula, and Western Asia. The Greeks and Romans associated marjoram with happiness. It was also used as a medicinal plant that was said to function as an antiseptic. During the Middle Ages, marjoram was one of the herbs and spices that made its way from the British Isles and was used extensively there. But marjoram wasn’t popular in the United States until after World War II. These days it’s an essential ingredient for both home cooks and restaurant chefs. Marijuana, scientifically known as Cannabis, is believed to have originated in Asia, specifically East Asia. Archaeological and genetic evidence suggest its domestication occurred during the early Neolithic period, around 12,000 years ago. The plant was initially used for various purposes, including fiber production, food, medicine, and recreational use.
