Botanical name: Origanum majorana L.
Family name: Lamiaceae
Identification No.: SDACH/HG/255
Vernacular names:
Hindi – Marwa
English – Sweet Marjoram
Arabic – Marzanjosh
Tamil – Maruvam
Gujarati – Maruaa
Synonyms:
मारुतोऽसौ मरुबको मरुन्मरुरपि स्मृतः।
फणी फणिज्जकश्चापि प्रस्थपुष्पः समीरणः
Bhavaprakasha – Pushpha varga
Habitat & Distribution:
Native to the Mediterranean region. Cultivated in parts of India, especially in gardens and herbal farms in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. Prefers dry, sunny locations with well-drained soil.
Morphology:
A small, aromatic, perennial herb growing up to 30–60 cm in height. Leaves are small, grey-green, and ovate with a soft texture. Flowers are small, white to pale pink, arranged in clusters. Whole plant emits a sweet, spicy aroma.
Varieties:
No classical Ayurvedic varieties mentioned; modern classifications refer to wild and cultivated forms.
Substitute/ Adulterant:
Sometimes substituted with Origanum vulgare (oregano). Adulterants include similar Lamiaceae members like Thymus vulgaris.
Phytochemicals:
Contains essential oils (carvacrol, thymol, terpinene), flavonoids, tannins, phenolic acids, and ursolic acid
Raspanchaka:
Rasa – Tikta, Katu
Guna – Laghu, Ruksha
Virya – Ushna
Vipaka – Katu
Prabhava – Krimighna, Nasya-prabhava
Dosha shamakta – Kapha-Vata shamak
Karma – Rogaghnata:
Krimighna, Deepana, Shirovirechaka, Kasa-Shwasahara, Shoolahara, Kushtaghna
Amayika Prayoga/Therapeutic Uses:
External – Used as oil or poultice for muscle pain, skin infections, and headaches
Internal – Used in indigestion, cold, asthma, cough, dysmenorrhea, and as an expectorant
Part used: Panchang
Dose:
Swarasa 5-10 drops
Panchang 1-4 gm
Essential oil – 2–6 drops (
Yoga/Formulations:
Maruvadi Taila
Maruvaka Churna
IUCN Status: Not Evaluated (NE)
Research updates:
- Al-Sereiti MR, Abu-Amer KM, Sena P. Pharmacology of Origanum majorana essential oil: Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. J Ethnopharmacol.
- Mota ML, Thomas G, Barbosa F. Anti-inflammatory action of marjoram extract in experimental models. Planta Med.
- Mohammed F, Rizvi MA, Khan MS. Evaluation of anxiolytic and antidepressant potential of Origanum majorana in rodent models. Biomed Pharmacother.
