Culpeper: ‘Origanum. Organy: a kind of wild marjoram, ... helps the bitings of venomous beasts, such as have taken Opium, hemlock or poppy; provokes urine, brings down the terms, helps old coughs; in ointments it helps scabs and itch.’

Notes: It is a culinary herb, but is still widely used as a general tonic in modern herbalism. To quote Plants for a Future: ‘The herb is antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cholagogue, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, stimulant, stomachic and mildly tonic ...(used) internally in the treatment of bronchial complaints, tension headaches, insomnia, anxiety, minor digestive upsets and painful menstruation.’

Leaves used for culinary purposes; flavouring for salad dressings, vegetables, oils and tea. The aromatic seeds are used as a flavouring in sweets and drinks.