This beautiful plant has a history of being symbolic of love and having an aphrodisiac nature. As it grows on rocky cliff faces, many a lover has fallen to their deaths (through the centuries) trying to collect this plant for its sought after uses, as love tokens, for pharmaceuticals, perfumery and flavoring.
Endemic to Crete, Dittany of Crete (Origanum dictamnus) is a herbaceous perennial that grows a soft wooly mat of leaves and stems of rose-pink flowers surrounded by purple-pink bracts.
The men with the dangerous occupation of collecting the Dittany of Crete are called “Erondades”, or “Love Seekers”, however today Dittany of Crete cultivated for trade.
The leaves of Dittany of Crete are used as a spice in salads, to make an herbal tea beverage and also for flavoring vermouth. Dittany of Crete is considered GRAS in the US as a flavor.
Due to overexploitation and its very limited native range, Dittany of Crete is protected and also listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive and under Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats.
The exact use of Dittany of Crete in herbal records is very confused, as other species have been referred to as “Dittany”, including Dictamnus alba, or “Dittany, White Dittany”. Dittany of Crete has a long history of use, as it was part of the classical Greek herbal traditions. Since ancient times, Dittany of Crete has been considered a panacea.
Dittany of Crete is used for cosmetic and personal care products, and recently has been found to have promise as a functional beverage as it has a high antioxidant capacity and high activity against accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs).
A monograph exists from the European Medicines Agency (EMA), with the following recommended indications:
1. Traditional herbal medicinal product used for the relief of cough associated with cold.
2. Traditional herbal medicinal product used for the relief of mild gastrointestinal disorders.
3. Traditional herbal medicinal product used for the relief of minor skin inflammations and bruises.
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**This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician.