Unusual Vegetable Plants

Marjoram - Origanum Vulgare.

The Latin name, Origanum, comes from the Greek word "Oros" for mountain and "Ganos" for joy or splendid, because of the plants natural habitat of the Mediterranean mountain sides and its attractive appearance and scent. As the name "Origanum" suggests Marjoram is almost the same plant as the plant commonly known in warmer parts of Europe as "Oregano." Marjoram is simply the British version which grows in lime-rich soils in England and Wales, but rarely further north.

The British Marjoram, is readily available to buy as small potted plants in many garden centres along with more popular herbs. It is easy to grow as long as it is not allowed to get water logged and is planted in a moist, but free draining spot such as on a rockery. 

Oregano is grown commercially in many countries, but the majority of annual production is taken from the wild in the Mediterranean region. Although used widely in cooking, the Oregano family of plants do have some important medicinal qualities and Marjoram especially is used in herbal tea mixtures. 

Recent scientific research has gone even further and found that tiny quantities of "Carvacrol," which is a naturally occurring compound in Oregano, is a more effective antibacterial agent than many existing drugs it was compared with and even compares favourably with streptomycin and penicillin. It can sterilise septic water, and treat fungal infections. Furthermore, in the right preparation as an oil based product, it is so stable, it could be added to washing agents to kill bacterial colonies such as MRSA on dirty laundry, in hospitals and could even be added to washing powders for ordinary domestic washing.