Dittany of Crete is a native plant of the island of Crete of Greece and belongs to the Lamiaceae family, origanum genus. The Ancient time Greeks considered it to be a panacea and used for healing plant effects in folk medicine. It grows wild on Crete Island and is also cultivated as an herbal tea plant, condiment, and spice in distilleries. Dittany of Crete is a small green white lanate shrub with stems reaching 35 cm. Stems are ascending and rooting at the base level, lanate and yellow or purplish brown. Branches of the first part in the upper half of the stems are up to 5 pairs per stem, 1.5 cm long and not ramified. Leaves are 15 pairs of parts per stem and lower ones are petiolate, roundish to oval shape or ovate and tops are obtuse or acute, about 15 mm long and wide. Spikes are subglobose to cylindrical types measuring about 16 cm long and 7 cm wide. Flowers are subsessile types and two per verticillaster. Corolla is two-lipped, pink and 11 mm long; upper parts of lips are divided into two and about 0.3 mm long lobes, lower about lips are subequal and 1.5 mm long lobes. Staminal branch filaments are 12 to 14 mm long. Roots are 1 cm or more in diameter.
As various names are assigned to the plant but among them dictamnus is derived from the Greek words “Dicti’ and ‘thamnos”. The term “Dicti” refers to the name of the Cretan mountain where Zeus was raised up by the goat Amalthia and the term “thamnos” refers to shrub in Greek. The aerial parts are used to treat gastric and stomach disorders and also to maintain good health.
History
Dittany of Crete is highly prized and blooms in the summer months. It is exported for use in perfumery, pharmaceuticals, and to flavor drinks such as absinthe and vermouth. In Ancient Greece, the plant is prescribed as a cure for various ailments. It is useful for stomach aches and digestive complaints and also used as a poultice for wounds and promotes menstruation. The philosopher Theophrastus and Greek scholar agreed with Aristotle about the healing properties of Dittany of Crete. It is cultivated in Embaros and surrounding villages, South of Heraklion Crete, used to make herbal tea, and also in natural beauty products.
Health Benefits of Dittany of Crete
The presence of phenol carvacrol offers antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties. It is used as oxytocic, antirheumatic, vulnerary and stomachic. It is used as a cure for cough, sore throat, aching stomach, menstrual pains, diuretic, hypertensive; curing wounds and helps childbirth. Roots are used for treating sciatica and juice is added to wine and consumed to cure snake bites. Moreover, it is used as a cure for stomach problems, rheumatism and gastric. The warm drink acts as anticonvulsive, strengthens heart muscles and arteries, and acts as a menstrual tonic. Take it with a mix of honey and cinnamon to soothe a cough.
Medicinal uses
- The flowering plant is used as oxytocic, anti-rheumatic, vulnerable and stomachic.
- It is used to heal gastric ulcers, stomach disorders, spleen problems, facilitate childbirth, rheumatism, and gynecological disorders.
- Bitterroot was a cure for bleeding and gastric ulcers.
- It provides relief from cold and mild disorders of the stomach.
- Apply the poultice externally on bruises and wounds.
- It is effective for treating skin conditions and lowering cellulite.
- It is used for cramps, stomach problems, and worms in the intestines.
- Chew it to provide relief from ailments in the mouth and throat.
Culinary uses
- Use the leaves as a flavoring for salads and vermouth.
- Brew the dried flowering tops into herb tea.
- It is used to flavor wine and liquors.
- Use it to season soups and sauces.
Precautions
- Avoid Dittany of Crete by pregnant and breastfeeding women due to inadequate information.
- Stop to use when experiencing allergic reactions. And consult the health practitioner immediately.
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