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MARJORAM (Common Wild) ORIGANUM VULGARE There is scarcely a better herb growing for relieving a sour stomach. The Wild or Field Marjoram has a creeping underground root, which throws up hard brownish square stalks with small dark green leaves and tufts of purplish-red flowers. Where to find it: Borders of cornfields and well-drained stony soil. Flowering time. Late summer. Astrology: It is under the dominion of Mercury. Medicinal virtues: It strengthens the stomach and head, relieving loss of appetite, coughs and consumption of the lungs. It provokes urine and the terms in women, helps the dropsy, scurvy, scabs, itch and yellow jaundice. The juice dropped into the ears helps deafness, pain and noise in them. The whole plant is a warm aromatic and an infusion of the dried leaves is extremely grateful to nervous cases. The essential oil poured on to lint and put into the hollow of an aching tooth removes the pain. The powdered leaves or tops are given for headaches. For flatulence and indigestion use a conserve of the tops. Modern uses: A valuable herb with diaphoretic, expectorant and carminative properties. However, it should not be used in pregnancy. It is used for coughs, flatulence and at the start of fevers. It stimulates the menstrual flow. The herb is used as an infusion - 1 oz (28 g) to 1 Pt (568 ml) of boiling water - the dose being 2 fl oz (56 ml) three or four times a day. The fresh plant simmered in seed oil or wax can he applied with massage for rheumatic complaints. |