Health Benefits
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Trending
    • Health benefits of Wild Kumquat
    • Health benefits of Little Medick
    • Health benefits of Roundleaf alumroot
    • Health benefits of Wild Caper Bush
    • Health benefits of Wood nettle
    • Health benefits of Chinese Catalpa
    • Health benefits of Spear Saltbush
    • Health benefits of Mickey Mouse Plant
    Health Benefits
    Health Benefits
    Home»Herbs and Spices»Know about the Dittany of Crete
    Herbs and Spices

    Know about the Dittany of Crete

    By s mSeptember 12, 2019Updated:September 13, 2019No Comments4 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

    Dittany of Crete Quick Facts
    Name: Dittany of Crete
    Scientific Name: Origanum dictamnus
    Dittany of Crete is a native plant of island of Crete of Greece and belongs to Lamiaceae family and origanum genus. Ancient Greeks considered it to be panacea and used for healing effects in folk medicine. It grows on wild on the Crete Island and also cultivated as an herbal tea plant, condiment and spice in distilleries. Dittany of Crete is a short green white lanate shrub with stems reaching 35 cm. Stems are ascending and rooting at the base, lanate and yellow or purplish brown. Branches of first order in upper half of the stems are upto 5 pair per stem, 1.5 cm long and not ramified. Leaves are 15 pairs per stem and lower ones are petiolate, roundish to oval or ovate and tops are obtuse or acute, about 15 mm long and wide. Spikes are subglobose to cylindrical measuring 16 cm long and 7 cm wide. Flowers are subsessile and two per verticillaster. Corolla is two lipped, pink and 11 mm long; upper lips are divided into two and about 0.3 mm long lobes, lower lips are subequal and 1.5 mm long lobes. Staminal filaments are 12 to 14 mm long. Roots are 1 cm in diameter.

    As various names are assigned to the plant but among them dictamnos 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 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 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 and 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.

    Dittany of Crete Image Gallery
    Dittany-of-Crete-flower Dittany-of-Crete-flower
    Dittany-of-Crete-leaves Dittany-of-Crete-leaves
    Plant-illustration-of-Dittany-of-Crete Plant-illustration-of-Dittany-of-Crete
    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; cure wounds and helps child birth. 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, strengthen heart muscles and arteries and acts as a menstrual tonic. Take it with the mix of honey and cinnamon to soothe cough.

    Medicinal uses

    • The flowering plant is used as oxytocic, anti-rheumatic, vulnerary and stomachic.
    • It is used to heal gastric ulcers, stomach disorders, spleen problems, facilitate childbirth, rheumatism and gynaecological disorders.
    • Bitter root was a cure for bleeding and gastric ulcers.
    • It provides relief from cold and mild disorders of stomach.
    • Apply the poultice externally on bruises and wounds.
    • It is effective for treating skin conditions and lower cellulite.
    • It is used for cramps, stomach problems and worms in intestines.
    • Chew it to provide relief from ailments in 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 experienced allergic reactions. And consult the health practitioner immediately.

    References:

    http://www.plantnames.unimelb.edu.au/Sorting/Origanum.html

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origanum_dictamnus

    https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Origanum+dictamnus

    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322639138_Cretan_tea_Origanum_dictamnus_L_as_a_functional_beverage_investigation_on_antiglycative_and_carbonyl_trapping_activities

    https://bioesis.it/papers/Dittany%20of%20Crete.%20A%20botanical%20and%20ethnopharmacologi.pdf

    http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/o/origanum-dictamnus=dittany-of-crete.php

    https://wikiwel.com/wikihealing/index.php?title=Origanum_Dictamnus

    https://www.herbalgreece.com/health-benefits-of-dittany-of-crete/

    http://bioesti.com/2-uncategorised/9-dittany.html

    https://www.completely-crete.com/dittany-of-crete.html

    http://theherbgardener.blogspot.com/2008/06/dittany-of-crete.html

    https://www.youherbit.com/product/dittany-crete-dried-leaves/

    63%
    63%
    Awesome

    Comments

    comments

    D Herbs and Spices
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleLobi-Lobi (Louvi plum)
    Next Article Health benefits of Prickly amaranth

    Related Posts

    Health benefits of Little Medick

    September 17, 2023

    Health benefits of Roundleaf alumroot

    September 12, 2023

    Health benefits of Wild Caper Bush

    September 8, 2023

    Comments are closed.

    Name Dittany of Crete
    Scientific Name Origanum dictamnus
    Common/English Name Cretan dittany, Hop marjoram
    Name in Other Languages English: Cretan dittany, Hop marjoram, Wintersweet, Oregano Crete, Crete, Oregano, Dittany of Crete;
    German: Diptam-Dost, Kretischer Diptam, Diptamdosten, kretisch oregano;
    Swedish: Kretadiptam;
    French: dictamno of Crète, Origan of Crète, Faux Origan, Origanum dictamnus;
    Greek:  dictame (Δίκταμος), Kritikí rígani (Κρητική ρίγανη);
    Hungarian: Krétai szurokfű;
    Italian: Dittamo critical
    Plant Growth Habit Tender perennial plant
    Soil Dry, warm and well drained
    Plant Size 20-30 cm high
    Root 1 cm in diameter
    Stem Slender arching, 13-25 mm in size
    Leaves Discoid to ovate, grey-green, 15 mm long, 15 mm wide
    Flowering time Summer
    Flower Tiny, pale pink to purple

    Dittany of Crete Scientific Classification

    Scientific Name: Origanum dictamnus

    Rank Scientific Name & (Common Name)
    Kingdom Plantae (Plants)
    Phylum Tracheophyta
    Class Magnoliopsida
    Order Lamiales
    Family Lamiales
    Genus Origanum Tourn. ex L.
    Species Origanum dictamnus L.
    Synonyms
    • Amaracus dictamnus (L.) Benth.
    • Amaracus tomentosus Moench
    • Dictamnus creticus Garsault
    • Majorana dictamnus (L.) Kostel.
    • Origanum dictamnifolium St.-Lag.
    • Origanum saxatile Salisb.
    Categories
    • Beverages (70)
    • Dairy (28)
    • Equipment (5)
    • Essential OIls (189)
    • Facts (2,159)
    • Foods (228)
    • Fruits (409)
    • Grains and Cereals (30)
    • Health & Beauty (467)
    • Herbs and Spices (1,082)
    • Medicines (7)
    • Nutritional value (27)
    • Nuts and seeds (57)
    • Oils (80)
    • Pets (1)
    • Poultry & Seafoods (67)
    • Pulses and Beans (16)
    • Reviews (21)
    • supplement (2)
    • Vegetables (209)

    Health benefits of Wild Kumquat

    Health benefits of Little Medick

    Health benefits of Roundleaf alumroot

    Health benefits of Wild Caper Bush

    Health benefits of Wood nettle

    Health benefits of Chinese Catalpa

    ABOUT
    1 Home
    About us
    Contact us

    Policy
    Privacy Policy
    Terms & conditions
    Disclaimer
    Contact us at:
    e-mail: [email protected]
    Skype: healthbenefit55
    © 2023 www.healthbenefitstimes.com All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.