Marjoram - Herb for Dogs and Cats

In this article

1. Marjoram
2. Health Benefits
3. Cautions
4. Side Effects
5. Drug Interactions
6. General Guideline for Daily Herbal Intake

1.0 Marjoram (Origanum majorana)

Marjoram is a perennial herbal plant that has been as a culinary herb, medicine and fabric dye since ancient times. The Greeks used marjoram as an ingested and topical medicine.

Wild marjoram and sweet marjoram are used for medicinal purposes. The cultivated species such as knotted marjoram, pot marjoram, sweet marjoram and winter marjoram are used for culinary purposes.

Marjoram is a member of the Labiatae family that also includes anise, basil, cumin, dill, fennel, etc.

Medicinal Properties of Marjoram
Marjoram contains multiple volatile oils that give the plant its medicinal properties. Marjoram is:

• Anti-bacterial
• Anti-carcinogen
• Adaptogenic
• Anti-fungal
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antioxidant
• Anti-microbial
  
• Anti-septic (mild)
• Anti-spasmodic
• Anti-viral
  

Fresh Marjoram Leaves

Provide an excellent source of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals:

• Beta-carotenes
• Essential oils
• Flavonoids, lutein and xanthin
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin K
• Iron
• Magnesium
  

 

Marjoram can be used in various forms

Your dog can self-select the options she prefers:

• Dry powder
• Fresh leaves
• Tea, infusion
• Tincture

 

2.0 Health Benefits

                                     

A partial list:

• Age related Macular Disease (ARMD)
• Anti-inflammatory
• Ingested use – sweet marjoram contains 10% eugenol an anti-inflammatory
• External use to alleviate:
• Arthritis
• Pain from bruising
• Muscular pain
• Sprains
• Stiff joints
• Anti-Microbial
• Apply to skin in the form of cooled tea bag or cloth compress first soaked in the cooled tea
• Antioxidant – immune system boosting
• The fresh leaves are high in vitamin C and can be added to your dog’s or cat’s food at meal time
• Sweet Marjoram is a rich source of vitamin K. Vitamin K is important for example:
• Bone mass building
• Treatment of canine dementia
• Anxiety and depression
• Add fresh leaves, tea or tincture to food
• Or put a few drops of the essential oil on your dog’s, cat’s collar or bed
• Appetite stimulant
• Nausea (sweet marjoram tea)
• Nerve pain
• Carminative
• Cough and cold suppressant
• Steep 2 tsps dried marjoram in 8 ounces of boiling water, allow to cool;
•  Offer the resulting liquid to your dog or cat as a drink in a bowl, or add to his/her food at meal time
• Diabetes
• Diuretic
• Digestive disorders
• Dizziness
• Gall bladder issues, gall stones
• Heart issues
  
• Liver problems
• Muscle spasms
• Paralysis
• Sleep problems
• Tummy upset
  
• Vertigo

 

Marjoram Paw Soak or Skin Rinse

 

If your dog is experiencing yeast overgrowth (candida), the calming, cooling, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, vitamin and antioxidant rich properties of marjoram can help soothe irritated, itchy, inflamed paws and skin.

 

Brew a pot of marjoram tea. You can use marjoram tea bags or 1 tsp of dry marjoram for every 8 ounces of boiled water.

Allow the marjoram tea to steep for 15 minutes, then remove the marjoram and allow the tea to cool to room temperature. The marjoram tea is now ready to use as a paw soak of body rinse.

 

 

3.0 Cautions

If your dog or cat:

• Is allergic to members to the Lamiaceae family of plants, e.g., anise, basil, cumin, dill, fennel, hyslop, mint, sage, oregano, don't use marjoram
• Is pregnant or lactating:
• Do not use marjoram essential oil
• Marjoram powder is safe in small daily amount
• Has a bleeding disorder or is on anticoagulants do not use marjoram

4.0 Side Effects

• Allergy symptoms if your dog or cat is hypersensitve (allergic) to marjoram.

5.0 Drug Interactions

• Lithium
  
• Anticoagulant, Anti-platelet drugs
  

6.0 General Guideline

Daily Herbal Intake Based on Dog’s or Cat’s Weight

Weight	Dry Powders	Teas	Capsules/Tablets	Tinctures
1-10 lbs	a small pinch up to 1/8 tsp	less than 1/4 cup, 1-3 times/day	1/2 capsule, 1-3 times/day	1-3 drops, 2-3 times/day
10-20 lbs	1 larger pinch - 1/8 to ¼ tsp	1/4 cup, 1-3 times/day	1/2-1 capsule/tablet, 1-3 times/day	3-5 drops, 2-3 times/day
20-50 lbs	2 pinches - 1 teaspoon	1/4-1/2 cup, 1-3 times/day	1-2 capsules/tablets, 2-3 times/day	5-10 drops, 2-3 times/day
50-100 lbs 10-	2 pinches - 2 teaspoons	1/2-1 cup, 1-3 times/day	1-2 capsules/tablets, 3-4 times/day	20 drops, 2-3 times/day
Over 100 lbs,	up to 1 tablespoon	up to 1 cup 3 times/day	adult human dose	adult human dose

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Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld