Caloric content and chemical composition of marjoram. Useful properties, harm and contraindications for use. Recipes of drinks and dishes, interesting facts. The main beneficial property of marjoram is to have a complex effect on all systems and organs of the human body by raising immunity. This is due to the increased content of such micro- and macroelements as iron, manganese and calcium. The first has a strong hematopoietic function, helps to improve the functioning of the endocrine system, increases muscle tone due to the supply of energy to the cells of the body. Manganese regulates sugar levels in the body, improves brain activity, speeds up the nervous system, participates in cell division, and slows down the growth of cholesterol plaques in blood vessels. Well, the role of calcium is probably known even to children. It is the foundation of strong bones and teeth. And, in addition, it helps nerve tissues to transmit impulses, is responsible for muscle contraction, affects blood clotting and performs a huge variety of equally important functions.
The content of copper, magnesium and potassium in the product is also high. In smaller quantities, the presence of phosphorus, zinc, selenium is still quite noticeable. Separately, it should be noted that marjoram contains such important components as organic acids. These are substances whose main task is to maintain the acid-base environment in the body. It is this environment that makes cells fully develop and function. Also, these substances accelerate metabolic processes, improve the absorption of useful elements by the body, remove toxins and toxic compounds. Marjoram is rich in tannins and pectin substances, essential oils. But the source of the specific smell of the plant is not yet known.
Useful properties of marjoram herb
The above components endow marjoram with a whole list of beneficial properties, which can be felt not only by using the plant in the recipes of official and alternative medicine, but also by using the herb as a culinary ingredient.
The most important effect that can be achieved with regular use of marjoram is the normalization of intestinal activity. It would seem, is it really so important? It turns out that many scientists consider this to be the first and most important step on the way to improving the body. Indeed, according to doctors, immunity lives in the intestines. The use of marjoram activates peristalsis, relieves bloating and constipation, diarrhea, normalizes the discharge of feces. At the same time, the development of bacteria, decay and fermentation in the large intestine slows down, the synthesis of gastric juice improves, which helps to process food more thoroughly and, in turn, exert less stress on the intestines. Another important plus is the withdrawal of helminths that infect the body. In addition, using marjoram helps to achieve four of the most tangible positive reactions in the body:
- Improving stomach function … This happens due to the same increase in the production of enzymes, which leads to the normalization of appetite, the correct removal of bile from the body, relieving tension from the muscular system of the digestive tract.
- Resisting viral diseases … The plant is used as both a prophylaxis and a remedy. Softens cough, acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, treats runny nose, cleanses maxillary sinuses.
- Depression relief … The product helps to relieve irritability, neurasthenia and migraines. Improves mood, improves brain function, energizes the heart muscle.
- Treatment of the musculoskeletal system … Marjoram relieves pain in rheumatoid arthritis, accelerates the rehabilitation process for sprains and bruises, helps with sports and household injuries.
Also, the use of marjoram in cooking will help those who feel discomfort from malfunctioning of the kidneys, high blood sugar, an increase in cholesterol plaques in the lumen of blood vessels, dental diseases, varicose veins and gout.
Contraindications and harm of marjoram
One of the most important contraindications for marjoram is the presence of varicose veins and thrombophlebitis. This is due to the fact that the components contained in the plant are capable of having a very active effect on the processes of hematopoiesis, which can lead to blockage of blood vessels or detachment of a blood clot. Therefore, for people with these diseases, it is better to refrain from using the plant fresh. But a little dried marjoram can be used as a seasoning.
There are also 3 main groups of people who should refrain from most foods that can have a strong effect on the human body. It is strictly forbidden to take the product:
- Allergy sufferers … Due to the risk of food allergies.
- For children … Because their body is not able to cope with specific food.
- Pregnant … Exacerbation of chronic diseases caused by reduced immunity can cause a negative reaction to the product.
Let us remind you that it is undesirable to abuse any product even when you are not a member of any ban group.
Marjoram drinks recipes
There are many recipes for marjoram drinks. The spicy plant is added to teas, compotes, jelly, kvass and even wine. Be sure to try one of the following drinks:
- Tea … To make tea from marjoram, you need to take a tablespoon of chopped plant leaves, pour 200 ml of boiling water over them, leave for 5 minutes and strain. It will be quite tasty if you mix it in a 1: 1 ratio with black or green tea. This drink can be consumed both hot and cold. In winter, you can add honey and a pinch of cinnamon to it, and in summer, a few mint leaves and ice.
- Compote … Marjoram adds a very pleasant taste and aroma to compotes. You can cook them completely from any fruits and berries - both fresh and frozen. Dried fruits are no exception. Take 300 g of dried pears and apples, rinse, fill with boiled water and leave for 1-2 hours. Then it is necessary, without draining the water, put on fire and cook for 20-30 minutes. Then you need to add 100 g of sugar, a bunch of marjoram and boil for another 10 minutes. Compote should be allowed to brew for at least an hour. It can also be served hot or chilled.
Marjoram recipes
It would seem that such a useful product could certainly find wide application in medicine, but it is still most popular in cooking.
Has a unique aroma and is actively used as a seasoning for meat, fish, first courses, vegetables. It is used in the preparation of sauces and salads. The strong taste of marjoram has become the hallmark of Bavarian sausages. The plant is generally in a special account among butchers, sausage producers, cheese makers. Also used for canning, pickling cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes.
There are a lot of recipes with marjoram, we invite you to get acquainted with the most famous of them. The spicy plant will very well set off the following dishes:
- Baked pork … Take a piece of pork with skin, about 1-1.5 kg. Rinse, dry with towels, remove films. Then you need to salt and pepper the meat, grease it with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add a bunch of finely chopped basil and marjoram, a couple of heads of finely chopped garlic. Transfer the pork to a bowl, cover with cling film and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 3-4 hours. You can leave it overnight. After marinating, put the meat in a cast iron or baking dish, add 400 ml of tomato juice, 50 ml of soy sauce, simmer in the oven for 40-50 minutes at a temperature of 200 ° C. Remove the meat, transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment, bake for another 10 minutes until a crust forms. Serve hot or cold.
- Marinated mushrooms … Take 600 g of champignons, rinse well, if necessary - peel, dry and send to a baking container. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt and pepper, mix well. Bake for 10 minutes in an oven preheated to 180 ° C. Take out, add to the mushrooms a bunch of chopped, almost grated marjoram, 2 tablespoons of wine vinegar, a pinch of white pepper, a pinch of black pepper and 1 teaspoon of salt. Mix well, let cool, send to the refrigerator in a glass jar. Serve every other day.
- Goulash soup … Soak a glass of white beans in cold water for 5-6 hours. When it softens, take 600 g of beef, cut into large cubes. Send the meat to the beans washed under cold water, pour 2 liters of boiled water, cook the broth for 1 hour. Spread a large onion and grated carrots in vegetable oil, add 300 g of peeled and diced tomatoes to the vegetables, boil for 5-7 minutes. Add paprika, 1 teaspoon of salt, a pinch of pepper mixture, a bunch of chopped marjoram on the tip of a knife, simmer for another 2 minutes, send to the finished broth with beef and beans. Let the ingredients combine, boil for 1-2 minutes, add 200 g of smoked meats. These can be chicken wings, pork ribs or hunting sausages cut into rings. Cook in the soup for another 10 minutes. Serve hot.
- Pasta with seafood … Boil 250 g of durum wheat pasta. Spaghetti works best. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a frying pan, add 2 garlic cut along a clove to it, fry for 2 minutes, remove the garlic. In the aromatic oil, send 400 g of peeled shrimp, pour 200 ml of cream, 100 g of processed cheese, half a finely chopped bunch of marjoram, a bunch of chopped dill, a pinch of dried oregano and black pepper. Stir constantly and cook until the sauce thickens. If you overdid it, add a little broth from the pasta. Place the nest-shaped pasta on a plate, top with the herb shrimp sauce. Garnish with cherry tomato quarters and fresh herbs.
Interesting facts about marjoram
In Arab countries, this plant is called "incomparable". It is added to many dishes, completely not understanding why the Europeans so undeservedly bypass marjoram with their attention. However, there are also European countries that love him. But they are not used everywhere, but to shade some dishes. As we noted above, a striking example of this is Bavarian sausages. This is the main spice that is part of the meat dish and gives it a specific taste.
Now, speaking about a product, we endow it with quite prosaic characteristics. And in ancient times it was believed that the goddess of love Aphrodite gave the plant a magical aroma. At the same time, lovers were given wreaths from marjoram shoots, which was considered a symbol of mutual attraction and the strength of family ties. Watch a video about marjoram:
We hope that the delicacy with dishes with marjoram will give you a truly divine pleasure, as well as strengthen your health, cheer up and help you find harmony in relationships not only with your soul mate, but also with everyone around you.
