Researchers in Tunisia have found that drinking marjoram tea daily may help reduce symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

As part of a small study, the team recruited 60 people with Parkinson’s who used antiparkinsonian medication. Half of the group were assigned to drink marjoram tea and the other half a placebo tea, every night for 30 days. During the study period, participants maintained their usual diet, physical activity and medication.

The researchers used the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Beck Depression Inventory and Non-motor Symptoms Scale to assess changes in the participants’ motor and non-motor symptoms, and depression.

The results showed that marjoram tea may significantly reduce non-motor symptoms and depression in Parkinson’s, while improvement of motor symptoms “may need an extended treatment period”.

The study’s authors added: “More research with a large number of participants and lasting longer than one month is needed to argue these findings”.