What wonderful folklore there is about marjoram! It has been carried along with violets to gaurd agaisnt colds, given to the depressed person to bring them happiness, and grown in the garden to shield the gardener from evil powers! In the Middle Ages, ladies carried it in posies and used it in sweet-bags. It was used in love spells, being worn at weddings for happiness, and added to food to strengthen a love. It was used as a strewing herb for the dirt floors that were predominate in early times.
It is another plant that belongs to the mint family. There is confusion to which it's either an annual or a perennial because it is only hardy to zone 9. It's real name is: Origanum Majorana. It grows to about 10" tall and has oval, velvet like leaves, with pink flowers. It likes a well-drained soil with full sun, part shade. The word MARJORAM was derived from two words in Greek which meant: THE JOY OF THE MOUNTAIN.There are a few varieties of marjoram, sweet marjoram being one, wild marjoram and pot marjoram being two others. Wild marjoram is winter hardy and grows to be about 24" tall. It looks like oregano-being they are in the same family. Pot marjoram has white or pink flowers. Sweet marjoram is the most useful of the marjorams to grow. It has a sweeter taste to it. Seeds germinate in 13-16 days and need to be thinned out to be about 12" inches apart.
You can infuse the leaves of marjoram for a relaxing bath and also use as a hair conditioner. Rub the leaf on your tables as a furniture polish, or break the leaves into sweet bags, and potpourris. Add to your next broiled fish dish, add it to egg salads, or add it to chili or pizza. Make a stronger juice by boiling it in water, and then make jelly using your favorite jelly recipe. Infuse it to tea for relief insomnia, colds and coughs. Or use the tea to reduce tension and headaches. Drink the tea prior to sea travel, for it helps with seasickness and also pms cramps.