by Valeria Ghitti
È similar to oregano, but it has a more delicate taste and aroma, so you can use it in larger quantities for flavor the dishes, making the most of all its properties.
KEEP IT THIS
«It is an easy plant to grow even in pots: it just needs to be placed in sunny position, avoiding drought and stagnation of water », advises Lorenzo Bazzana, manager of Fruit and Vegetables in Coldiretti. So you can have them close at hand when needed fresh leaves, which have more scents than dried ones. And, if you don't use them right away, you can dry them in the shade or freeze him.
IT IS FRIEND OF THE BRONCHI
"Rich of." potassium and magnesium, minerals useful for muscle relaxation, marjoram also plays an importance spasmolytic action»Reveals Anna D'Eugenio, nutritionist doctor. «That is, it calms bronchial spasms and pulmonary congestion and therefore it is useful in cases of asthma". However, it also acts on the digestive level, against abdominal cramps, both those of nervous origin and those due to the formation of intestinal gas and has a mild laxative action.
IT IS CALMING AND ANTI-HYPERTENSIVE
«Thanks once again to the magnesium, which serves to rebalance the mood, the marjoram has a sedative effect on the nervous system, being effective against states of anxiety and irritability and headache, in particular muscle-tension and stress-related ones », continues the expert. If consumed at dinner or in herbal tea, before going to bed, you helps you sleep better. "It also has hypotensive action (that is, it lowers the pressure) and, used to flavor dishes, allows to reduce the use of salt, so it is particularly recommended for those with hypertension ”, concludes Dr. Anna D'Eugenio.
ON A PLATE OR IN A CUP?
LEAVES
They have a intense aroma similar to thyme and oregano and they are ideal raw additions to foods to make the most of the essential oils they are rich in.
FLOWERS
In small white-pink ears, they are edible like the leaves. You can add them to foods, but also try them dried in an infusion, for a relaxing herbal tea.
NUTRITIONAL VALUES
One hectogram of marjoram contains 40 g of fiber, 1990 mg of calcium, 1522 mg of potassium, 346 mg in magnesio, 82,7 mg in ferrous, 51,4 mg in Vitamin C.
