Who Should Not Use Marjoram? A Guide to Precautions

October 6, 2025 •

3 min read

According to research published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine, marjoram extract has gastroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. However, its use in medicinal doses requires caution for certain populations, highlighting the critical question: who should not use marjoram?.

Quick Summary

This guide outlines specific health conditions and circumstances, such as pregnancy, bleeding disorders, and certain medications, that warrant caution or avoidance of medicinal amounts of marjoram. It also covers potential issues with long-term use and allergic reactions.

Key Points

Pregnant or Breastfeeding: Avoid high doses due to potential hormonal effects and lack of safety data.
Bleeding Disorders: Avoid medicinal amounts as marjoram can slow blood clotting and increase bleeding risk.
Pre-Surgery: Stop using medicinal marjoram at least two weeks before a scheduled surgery to minimize bleeding risk.
Diabetes: Use with caution and monitor blood sugar, as marjoram can interact with diabetes medications and cause hypoglycemia.
Mint Family Allergy: Avoid if allergic to other Lamiaceae plants like basil, oregano, or mint, as cross-reactivity is possible.
GI Tract and Ulcers: Be cautious with medicinal doses if you have a gastrointestinal blockage or ulcers, as it can increase secretions.
Long-Term High Doses: Long-term use in large amounts is considered possibly unsafe and could potentially harm the liver or kidneys.

Precautions and Contraindications for Marjoram Use

While marjoram is a flavorful and generally safe culinary herb, its use in concentrated forms, such as teas, extracts, or supplements, is not suitable for everyone. The herb can have powerful physiological effects, and certain health conditions or medications can lead to adverse interactions. Understanding these risks is crucial for safe herbal practice.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Pregnant and breastfeeding women are strongly advised to avoid medicinal amounts of marjoram. Marjoram can influence reproductive hormones and stimulate menstrual flow, which could potentially threaten a pregnancy. There is also insufficient evidence to confirm its safety during breastfeeding. For these reasons, pregnant and lactating women should only consume marjoram in normal food amounts, if at all.

Bleeding Disorders and Surgery

Marjoram is known to inhibit blood clotting, which can be dangerous for individuals with bleeding disorders or those undergoing surgery. The herb may impede platelet formation, increasing the risk of bruising and bleeding. It is recommended to stop using medicinal amounts of marjoram at least two weeks before any scheduled surgery.

Diabetes Management

For individuals with diabetes, medicinal amounts of marjoram should be used with caution and under medical supervision. Marjoram can lower blood sugar levels, and when combined with diabetes medication, it could potentially cause hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar). Careful monitoring of blood sugar is essential if marjoram supplements are being used.

Allergic Reactions

As a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae), marjoram can trigger allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to related plants, including basil, hyssop, lavender, mint, oregano, and sage. Symptoms can range from skin irritation and rashes to digestive upset. If you have a known allergy to any of these herbs, it is best to avoid marjoram completely.

Gastrointestinal and Organ Issues

Medicinal doses of marjoram can increase mucous and fluid secretions in the intestines. This can be problematic for people with certain gastrointestinal conditions, potentially worsening the following issues:

Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract Blockage: The increased secretions could cause “congestion” and exacerbate an existing blockage.
Stomach Ulcers: Heightened secretions could worsen existing stomach ulcers.
Urinary Tract Obstruction: Similarly, increased secretions in the urinary tract could worsen an obstruction.

Other Health Concerns

Slow Heart Rate (Bradycardia): Large, medicinal amounts of marjoram might slow down the heartbeat, which is a concern for individuals who already have a slow heart rate.
Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders: Marjoram may affect brain chemicals, and there is concern that it could potentially worsen seizure disorders like epilepsy. It should be used cautiously under medical supervision.
Lung Conditions: The increase in fluid secretions associated with medicinal marjoram use could be a concern for those with lung conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Long-Term and High-Dose Concerns

While culinary amounts of marjoram are generally considered safe, long-term use in medicinal quantities is not well-researched and is considered possibly unsafe. There are some concerns that long-term, high-dose usage could potentially harm the liver and kidneys or even increase cancer risk, though more research is needed.

Comparison of Marjoram Risks in Different Forms


Condition/User Group	Culinary Amounts (Fresh/Dried)	Medicinal Amounts (Tea/Extract/Oil)
Pregnant/Breastfeeding	Generally considered safe	Avoid completely due to hormonal effects
Bleeding Disorders	Safe	Avoid; may slow blood clotting
Diabetes	Generally safe	Caution; can lower blood sugar, monitor closely
Allergy to Mint Family	Avoid all forms	Avoid completely
GI/Ulcers/Obstructions	Safe	Caution; may increase secretions and worsen conditions
Bradycardia	Safe	Caution; may slow heart rate
Epilepsy	Safe	Caution; may affect brain chemicals
Lung Conditions	Safe	Caution; may increase secretions

Conclusion

Marjoram, like many herbal remedies, has distinct benefits but also comes with important precautions, particularly when used in high, medicinal doses. While most healthy individuals can enjoy the herb in culinary amounts without issue, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have bleeding disorders, or manage diabetes should exercise significant caution or avoid it entirely. Additionally, individuals with specific gastrointestinal, cardiac, or neurological conditions, as well as those scheduled for surgery, should consult a healthcare provider before using marjoram supplements. Awareness of potential allergic reactions and the risks of long-term, high-dose use is also key to ensuring safe consumption. Always prioritize consultation with a medical professional, especially when considering herbs for therapeutic purposes, to ensure they align with your personal health profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, using marjoram in normal, culinary amounts is generally considered safe during pregnancy. However, pregnant women should avoid medicinal amounts, such as those found in teas or supplements, due to the herb's potential effects on hormones.

Yes, marjoram can interfere with blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants). It can slow blood clotting, increasing the risk of bruising and bleeding when combined with these drugs. Anyone on blood thinners should avoid medicinal amounts of marjoram.

People with a slow heart rate (bradycardia) should use medicinal amounts of marjoram with caution. In large doses, the herb might slow the heartbeat further, which could be problematic.

Marjoram might affect blood sugar levels, so individuals on diabetes medication should consult a healthcare provider before using it in medicinal amounts. Combining them could result in dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

Long-term use of marjoram in medicinal quantities is considered possibly unsafe, and there is some concern that it could harm the liver and kidneys over time.

Anyone taking medicinal amounts of marjoram should stop at least two weeks before a scheduled surgery. This is because the herb can increase the risk of bleeding during and after the procedure.

Yes, marjoram can cause allergic reactions, especially in people sensitive to other plants in the mint family like basil, oregano, and lavender.