Origanum (USDA Organic) Marjoram Sweet, Origanum majorana 'Marjoram, Sweet', is a tender, soft-stemmed perennial that grows to 12 inches tall. Produces oval leaves and tiny pink-lavender flowers with a sweet aroma. The yellowish oil is extracted by steam distillation and produces a spicy aroma similar to lavender. It is used to calm emotions caused by outside stimulus and eases respiratory difficulties when inhaled. One of the three essential herbs for Italian cooking, it works well with meat, fish, soup, and egg and cheese dishes. Used in tea or as a steam inhalant, it has digestive, antispasmodic, carminative, diaphoretic, and diuretic properties. Marjoram is cultivated for its aromatic leaves, either green or dry, for culinary purposes; the tops are cut as the plants begin to flower and are dried slowly in the shade. Leaves add strong, spicy flavor to soups, sauces, stuffings, stews. Rubbing with fresh leaves before roasting improves all strong meats. Adds special flavor to sausages and meatloaf. A must in German potato soup! (Click Merchant link below for full description)