A-Z Blogging Challenge--"M"

Well, Hello there!!! I am so pleased that you stopped by  to visit!
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  For the past many years I have had an interest...no, make that a fascination with herbs, spices and seasonings. -  How they were used by our ancestors centuries ago for a variety of ailments, and how they are used today to enhance your favorite recipe.
With this in mind I am attempting to present a different herb, spice or seasoning  for each day of the  A-Z Challenge. Please drop by often and perhaps we both will learn something new.

                                                           
Learn more about these terms 

                                                                    "M"  is for Marjoram

                  

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Although there were a couple of herbs battling to get "talked about", like mace, mint, and the ever popular mustard, the winner this time is

MARJORAM

plantandgardens.com

Marjoram is often compared to-or confused with-oregano, but these two herbs are actually  quite distinct. Although the plants look similar and do share a fresh, tangy flavour, marjoram is much milder and sweeter than oregano and tastes slightly earthy.

The flavour  of marjoram lends itself well to a variety of foods, including lamb, beef, pork, chicken fish, tomato dishes, stuffing, breads and chowders. It is widely used in Italian, French, North African, Middle Eastern, and American cuisines.

When cooking with marjoram, bear in mind that its oils are easily destroyed by heat and thus it should be added to dished just before serving. The aromatic oils in marjoram can also be affected by too much sunlight, so if you choose to grow you own,cultivate the plant in a shady spot and always harvest in the morning before the sun's heat can affect the fresh flavour of the herb.

I am planning on growing a few more herbs that I usually do this summer and marjoram will be one of the new additions. While scouring different sites I found this  great recipe for poultry seasoning. I have to admit I have never made something like this on my own, opting instead to buy at a local farmer's market. If you feel so inclined here is the site. 

Medicinal Uses:

(writingcapture.com)

Marjoram has an interesting place in Greek mythology. As the story goes, the goddess of love, Aphrodite, grew marjoram and as a result, marjoram has been used ever since in various love potions. ( Hey, is there really such a thing??)

People make medicine from marjoram's flowers, leaves and oil.

Tea made from the leaves of flowers is used for funny nose and colds in toddlers, dry and irritating coughs, swollen nose and throat and ear pain.

Marjoram tea is also used for various digestion problems including poor appetite, liver disease, gallstones, intestinal gas and stomach cramps.

Some women use the tea for relieving symptoms of menopause, treating mood swings related to menstrual periods, starting menstruation,  and promoting the flow of breast milk.

Marjoram oil is used for coughs, gall bladder complaints, stomach cramps and digestive disorders.It is also used for migraines, nervous headaches, nerve pain,and as a  'water pill'.

In foods, marjoram is a culinary spice. The oil and oleo resin are used as flavor ingredients in food and beverages.  In manufacturing, the oil is used as a fragrance in soaps and cosmetics.

Do not confuse marjoram with winter marjoram or oregano.

Sources:

~www.webmd.com

~http://www.foodnetwork.ca/guides/marjoram/8276/story.html

Disclaimer

The material provided on this site is designed for information and educational purposes only. The materials are not intended to be a self diagnostic and/or self treatment tool. I encourage you to use this information as a tool for discussing your condition with your health practitioner.    *The medicinal usages are for informational and educational purposes only*