Mode of Sattva

Pharmacological Activities of Marjoram/Sweet Marjoram (Marwa) Herb: Anti-diabetic, Gout, Cancer & Mutagenic Activity along with Anti-Poisonous Activity according to Ayurveda backed by Modern Science (Part-4)

In my previous blog, ayurvedic significance of Marwa herb in Neurological, Psychological, Mental, Skin, Ocular & Oral Health have been explained, which is backed by Modern science (https://thepureknowledge.blogspot.com/2025/04/pharmacological-activities-of_30.html).

In this blog, I will explain about the Anti-diabetic, Gout, Cancer & Mutagenic Activity along with Anti-Poisonous Activity according to Ayurveda 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. Pain Relief:

Traditional Usage: Marjoram has found its usage traditionally throughout the world. In old Egypt, its oil was massaged on forehead and in hair (7). Its essential oil was used in headache and rheumatism in Turkey and to relieve toothache, joint and muscular pain in India. Moreover, its leaves were used to treat ear pain and otitis (ear infection) in Iran (1). According to Ayurveda, its essential oil can be used externally in muscular pain, toothache, headache, sprains, bruises, stiffness, painful swelling, joint pain, and rheumatism (8).

Modern Research: A scientific study validated the usage of Marjoram to treat earache (9). A study on cats showed that Marjoram essential oil when massaged for 60s on ear helped to recover cats who were infected from ear mites (10). A clinical case report demonstrated that when a herbal preparation of this herb along with other substance was administered to a patient suffering from periapical abscess (infection around tooth root), she got recovered as the abscess got removed without any surgical intervention and post-treatment complication (11).

2. Animal Poison:

Traditional Usage: Back in times, Aristotle reported it as anti-poison (7). In traditional medicine, its leaves were used as antidote in Iran (1). Ancient people used to keep this herb with them while working in the fields to treat any kind of insects or snake bite (3). Ayurveda also says, it is beneficial as an antidote for Scorpio bite (8, 12). Moreover, it acts as a repellent as reptiles and serpents avoid coming in its vicinity (12).

Modern Research: I could not find any scientific report on it. However, numerous plants claimed to be antidotes in folklore medicine need to be studied.

3. Anti-Diabetic Effect: A study on rat showed that leaf extract loaded therapy, volatile oil and methanolic extract of this herb is beneficial in diabetes at lower doses than the conventional and aqueous extract of this herb (13, 14).

4. Anti-Gout activity: Gout is the disease which is caused due to the accumulation of increased uric acid in joints due to the intake of red meat and alcohol rich diet. It is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness and tenderness in one or more joints. A study on rats showed the anti-gout activity of both stem and root ethanol extracts of this herb when administrated orally (15).

5. Anti-Cancer Effect: A study showed that the isolated compounds and extract of aerial parts (flower, stem, and leaves) of plant exhibit antioxidant activity and antiproliferative (tend to suppress cell growth, especially the growth of malignant/cancer cells into surrounding tissues) activity (16). Apart from this, it also shows anti-metastatic (inhibiting to spread the diseases cancer from one part to other part) effect (1).

A study on cell line showed the anticancer and antioxidative properties of aqueous extract of aerial part of this herb and indicated that Origanum Majorana could induce apoptosis (killing) of human breast cancer cells (17). In other study, this herb showed the cytotoxic and antitumorigenic effect against breast cancer. However, this study encourages drinking Origanum Majorana tea as a potent, safe anticancer agent in general, especially breast cancer. However, more animal and clinical trials are needed to determine this effect (18). Another study on cell line provides strong evidence that sweet marjoram ethanolic leaf extract possesses strong anti-colon cancer potential as well 19). Further studies revealed that the ethanolic leaf extract of this herb exhibits an anti-proliferative and apoptotic effect on human lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines (20).

6. Anti-Mutagenic Effect: With the help of in-vitro, animal, and cell line study, it has been demonstrated that this herb and its essential oil protect any changes in RNA, DNA, protein content i.e., possess anti-mutagenic effect (5, 21, 22).

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.

Thus, this is all about the significance of Marjoram Herb according to Ayurveda and Modern Science. I hope, you will be benefitted someway after reading this collected information on Marjoram herb.

Thanks !

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.researchgate.net/publication/292161091_Origanum_majorana_L_-Phyto-pharmacological_review

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

9.https://www.tinnitusjournal.com/articles/a-review-of-medicinal-plants-for-the-treatment-of-earache-and-tinnitus-in-iran.html#:~:text=Origanum%20majorana%20is%20dissolved%20in,infection%20%5B51%2C52%5D.

10. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313400560_Effect_of_some_essential_oils_Allium_sativum_L_Origanum_majorana_L_and_ozonated_olive_oil_on_the_treatment_of_ear_mites_Otodectes_cynotis_in_cats