Oregano and Marjoram:
An Herb Society of America Guide to the Genus Origanum
Craft Uses
Due to their beautiful flowers and bracts, many Origanum
species and cultivars are ideal for dried arrangements and crafts.
Carol Morse likes to make holiday swags with bay leaves, oregano and
other herbs (78). Susan Belsinger adds the dried, pressed flowers to
herbal notecards (7).
Both the foliage and the flowers of the origanums can be used in
wreaths for their beauty and fragrance (51). Tina Marie Wilcox uses
the purple flowers of the ornamental O. vulgare subsp.
vulgare in everlastings, wreaths and swags (114). The
majority of the ornamental species and cultivars will retain their
color and shape when dried (87), but according to Scott Kresge, the
"gorgeous dark pink and purple flowers" of
O. 'Herrenhausen' and
O. 'Rotkugel' dry and keep particularly well (64). The flower
spikes of other ornamentals like O. rotundifolium and
O. libanoticum can also be used in dried arrangements (104).
Sweet marjoram (2, 7, 32), O. onites and
O. vulgare leaves and flowers can be included in potpourris
(16), and sprigs can be added to tussie mussies and bridal bouquets
to symbolize joy and happiness (66, 86). Marjoram can also be used
in advent wreaths for its symbolism of joy, happiness and kindness
(65).
Dyes can be made from both sweet marjoram and oregano. A red or
purple dye was historically created from the dried and fermented
flowers of O. vulgare subsp. vulgare (22, 85, 92),
and the tops of O. majorana can be used to dye wool yellow,
gold, orange, brown or gray, depending on the mordant (metallic
compound) used to treat the yarn (22).
Next topic: Medicinal Uses
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