An herb is a plant whose leaves, seeds, or flowers are used for flavoring food or in medicine. Other uses of herbs include cosmetics, dyes, and perfumes. The name derives from the Latin word herba, meaning “green crops.”

Marjoram or sweet marjoram (Origanum marjorana, formerly Marjorana hortensis) is a perennial in the mint family that grows wild in the Mediterranean region, with 90% of the world’s supply coming from Egypt. Note that the genera names Origanum and Marjorana are used interchangeably by some. Marjoram is also called wild marjoram, as well as joy of the mountains and wintersweet.

For several reasons, there is a great deal of confusion in distinguishing marjoram from oregano. For one thing, they have the same genus, Origanum, while the species differ. For another thing, people call them by each other’s names:

• Greek oregano, O. vulgare, is called not only wild marjoram, but also Spanish thyme.
• Cretan oregano, O. onites, is also called pot marjoram or French marjoram.
• Marjoram, O. marjorana, is also called pot marjoram.
• O. heracleoticum is sometimes known as winter marjoram.

So, you can see how confusing this may become. Marjoram and oregano have more than species and similarity of flavor in common. A USDA analysis showed that these two culinary herbs have the highest amount of antioxidants, and more when they’re fresh than when they’re dried.

But there are differences, too. Oregano is a hardy perennial, while marjoram is more sensitive; oreganos may grow taller than marjoram. Also, marjoram prefers the soil slightly damper.

History. Some have suggested that hyssop, mentioned in the Passover ritual for marking the doorposts and in John 19:29, was actually Egyptian marjoram (Origanum maru). Marjoram is mentioned in Shakespeare’s Sonnet 99, in which the speaker reproves various flowering plants for having stolen their best elements from his love:

The forward violet thus did I chide: Sweet thief, whence didst thou steal thy sweet that smells,If not from my love's breath? The purple prideWhich on thy soft cheek for complexion dwellsIn my love's veins thou hast too grossly dyed.The lily I condemned for thy hand,And buds of marjoram had stol'n thy hair . . .

Description. Marjoram grows to a height of about 12 to 18 inches (30 to 46 cm), somewhat smaller than oregano. The flowers run pink to lavender.

Gardening. Marjoram prefers well-drained soil, full sun, and room to spread. Cut the plant back if it becomes woody, and it will re-grow. It can be used fresh or dried by spreading in a cool, well-ventilated place.

Food and Other Uses. Marjoram is sweeter and milder than oregano. It is characteristic in German cooking, where it is an important part of the spice mixture for sausage; English cooking, with goose and chestnuts for example; in French cooking, for example in herbes de Provence, and in Italian and Greek cooking, where it is used in sauces and meat dishes, among other uses. Marjoram is also used in body care products, including skin cream, bath bars, body lotion, body wash, and shaving gel.