Mode of Sattva

Pharmacological Activities of Marjoram/Sweet Marjoram (Marwa) Herb: Benefits in Neurological, Psychological, Mental, Skin, Ocular & Oral Health according to Ayurveda backed by Modern Science (Part-3)

In my previous blog, ayurvedic significance of Marwa herb in respiratory, cardiac, urinary & reproductive system have been explained, which is backed by Modern science (https://thepureknowledge.blogspot.com/2025/04/pharmacological-activities-of.html).

In this blog, I will explain about ayurvedic significance of this herb in Neurological, Psychological, Mental, Skin, Ocular & Oral Health, which is backed by Modern Science.

Traditionally, this herb was used in various ailments (1, 2). Various pharmacological activities such as antioxidant activity, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, gastroprotective, antimicrobial (bacterial, fungal, protozoal), anti-inflammatory, anti-platelet, antiatherosclerosis, antitumor, antiulcer, anticancer and antimetastatic, anticholinesterase inhibition activity have been reported by modern science as well (1).

These pharmacological activities are due to the presence of phytochemicals (chemical compounds which protects plants from environmental stress, microbial toxins and insects) such as terpenes and phenolic compounds. The plant extracts and essential oil obtained from different parts of plant such as aerial parts (flower, stem and leaves) and seeds are the main source of these phytochemicals (1, 3). These phytochemicals not only provide protection to plants but also give protection to us due to their great antioxidant (4), anti-inflammatory and other pharmacological activities (1, 3, 5, 6).

1. Neurological/Psychological Disorder:

Traditional Usage: In traditional medicine, this herb was used for insomnia (hard to fall asleep) (1, 3). Its leaves were used to treat epilepsy (mirgee) in Iran (1). According to Ayurveda, it is useful in hysteria and paralysis (7, 8) and acts as a nerve stimulant (drug increase activity of central nervous system). Moreover, its essential oil is used in insomnia (7).

Modern Research: Modern science is getting promising results with marjoram for the treatment of neurotoxicity or neurodegenerative diseases (nervous system related). A study on rats showed that the essential oil of aerial part of this herb as well as ethanolic leaf extract and methanolic extract of aerial part of this herb possess neuroprotective activity (9, 10).

Its essential oil derived from aerial flowering part of plant reduced the brain oxidative stress and showed memory enhancing effect in rat suffering from Alzheimer disease (11). Moreover, a clinical study demonstrated that the consumption of Marjoram tea, prepared by infusion of 5g of dried leaves in 100 ml of boiling water for 15 min and filtered through strainer, leads to improvement in non-motor and depression symptoms in patients with idiopathic (unknown cause) Parkinson’s disease. This too without any side effects or complications (12).

In addition to this, it has anticholinesterase inhibition activity (1). Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter (carry messages between brain and nervous system). Acetylcholinesterase enzyme breaks down acetylcholine into acetate and choline. This plant decreases the activity of acetylcholinesterase enzymes and thus inhibits the breakdown of acetylcholine. So, diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, associated with low level of acetylcholine can be cured by anticholinesterase inhibition activity (1, 13). Moreover, it has anti-convulsant effect (treat seizures by controlling abnormal activity in brain) (5).

2. Mental Health:

Traditional Usage: Some ancient people used this herb to treat anxiety (3).

Modern Research: Stress and anxiety are two main causes that result in several health problems including depression, insomnia, and disturbed mental health. The classical drugs currently available may lead to memory impairment which is most dangerous side effect. A study on rats showed that the oral administration of leaf extract of this herb induced anti-depressant and anxiolytic activity without any side-effects (14). A clinical study proved that inhalation of 3% Marjoram essential oil was effective in lowering the perceived stress and anxiety of nurses caring for patients with COVID-19 (15). Another clinical study showed that the inhalation of essential oil of this herb along with neurofeedback training in Bruxism (a disease in which person grinds or clench his teeth unconsciously while sleep or awake) patients enhance the anti-stress effect in them (16).

3. Skin Problems:

Traditional Usage: Marjoram is known for its benefits against skin problems. Hippocrates (Father of medicine) used this herb as an antiseptic agent (17). In Iran, its leaves are used as antimicrobial and antiseptic (1). According to Ayurveda, it is useful in skin disorder such as leprosy (8) and heal wounds (7). It prevents bad body odor (7, 8). Moreover, it is used in skin cream, body lotion, shaving gel, and bath soap (6).

Modern Research: Modern science also confirmed that dried whole plant, its essential oil, and water extracts of leaves has compounds which have great antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (1, 18). Due to these properties, it used as an effective antiseptic. A study on rats demonstrated the anti-fungal property of its essential oil through oral treatment (19). Another study showed that essential oil of leaves of this herb possess great anti-acne property (20).

4. Ocular Diseases:

Traditional Usage: In Iran, leaves of this herb were used to improve vision and in cataract traditionally (1).

Modern Research: Currently, there is no research backing the impact of marjoram on vision and cataract but there is a strong opinion that it helps in improving vision and can be used to cure cataract without the need of surgery (21).

5. Oral Health:

Traditional Usage: It is believed that this herb was used to treat bad breath.

Modern Research: Halitosis or bad breath can have number of causes. One of the biggest and most common of these is oral thrush, a fungal infection caused by overgrowth of yeast Candida Albicans which causes a large white, yellow or brownish patch on tongue (22). Scientific studies revealed that dried whole plant and its essential oil has high anti-microbial activity (1). Essential oil of this herb alone and in synergy with Origanum. Vulgare (Oregano) showed strong anti-microbial activity to Candida Albicans. Ethanol extracts of leaves of this herb also showed anti-microbial activity to yeast in in-vitro study (23, 24, 25).

Important Note:

After this research, I came to know that different parts of this herb such as aerial, leaves, roots, stems, flowers, and seeds have different medicinal uses. These medicinal uses depend on the extract formulations of different plant parts using different solvents such as water, oil and alcohol by the process called infusion (steeping) and by making decoction. Different extracts from different parts of plants have specific phytochemical profile (2).

In addition to this, essential oils derived from different parts of plants also have different phytochemical profile. These profiles possess different pharmacological activities and hence act as medicine for respectively. Just like any other medicine the pharmacological activity is dose-dependent (2).

Disclaimer: Please take note that I am not a medical specialist. I do my own academic research by studying various scientific articles and try to share information on various foods. The intention is to just raise awareness among common man about the significance of food we eat from Ayurvedic and Modern science perspective.

Any medicinal formulation of this herb mentioned in this article is mainly for educational & information purpose. In no way this should be considered as a recommendation to use. If you are in doubt whether to consume it or not then just plant it in your garden to feel sweet spicy aroma and to keep pests, insects, and reptiles away.

References:

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5871212/

2. https://sci-hub.se/downloads/2020-09-28/84/bouyahya2021.pdf

3. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/363923007_Marjoram_Origanum_majorana_An_essential_oil_with_potential_pharmacological_properties_and_health_benefits

4. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/356134230_Review_on_Methods_Used_to_Determine_Antioxidant_Activity_of_Origanum_majorana

5. https://www.iscientific.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/7-IJCBS-16-09-07.pdf

6. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343652829_An_Updated_Review_on_Traditional_Uses_Taxonomy_Phytochemistry_Pharmacology_and_Toxicology_of_Origanum_majorana

7. https://www.easyayurveda.com/2019/07/16/marjoram-origanum-majorana/

8. Ayurvedic Texts

9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10199469/

10. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.2c08295

11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7600529/