Marjoram (Origanum majorana, Lamiaceae) is a somewhat cold-sensitive perennial herb or undershrub with sweet pine and citrus flavours. Marjoram is native to the Mediterranean area and was known to the Greeks and Romans as a symbol of happiness. Marjoram is cultivated for its aromatic leaves, either green or dry, for culinary purposes; the tops are cut as the plants begin to flower and are dried slowly in the shade. The flowering leaves and tops of Marjoram are steam distilled to produce an essential oil that is yellowish in colour (darkening to brown as it ages). It has many chemical components, some of which are borneol, camphor, origanol and pinene.