Past, Present & Future of Dittany of Crete... Known since antiquity Dittany has been studied, revered and written about throughout the ages. The history of Dittany of Crete has been of course influenced by the history of Crete itself and has been noted as important from ancient times right to the present day.
It was believed the Minoans knew the benefits of Dittany and used it for curing ailments and for beautifying their skin and hair.
Ancient Greek scholars Hippocrates, Aristotle and Theophrastus all extolled the virtues of the 'miracle cure' plant in various ancient writings.
Later in the Roman Era poets, writers and philosophers such as Virgil, Cicero and Pliny the elder all commented on the benefits of Dittany.
A branch of healing dittany she brought,
Which in the Cretan fields with care she sought:
Rough is the stem, which woolly leafs surround;
The leafs with flow'rs, the flow'rs with purple crown'd,
(From Virgil's Aeneid 12.411-431)
Later still, during the Classical Renaissance period, European scholars, herbalists and botanists such as Gerald, Dapper and Culpepper renewed interest into the efficacy of Dittany.
Endemic Cretan Goat Kri Kri eating Dittany to heal itself
(Olfert Dapper)
In Crete itself the endemic plant was prized throughout the ages as a "cure all" and panacea for all ailments. And because it could only grow on Crete itself demand for it soon outweighed supply as word spread throughout Europe of its health giving benefits and fine aroma for flavouring drinks. Add to this the risks and dangers of collecting the prized and elusive plant from cliffs and mountainsides by the groups of gatherers named the Erondades, it was little wonder that the herb was soon cultivated.
Cretan Dittany
(Origanum dictamnus)
Today the wild naturally grown Dittany of Crete is classed as "rare" and is protected by European law so that it does not become extinct. The cultivation now centres on Embaros and the surrounding villages, south of Heraklion, here on Crete. The bulk of exports go to Italy as one of the ingredients in vermouth. And here on Crete Dittany is used to make tea and for use in natural beauty products.
See our Cretan Village Shop for a wonderful range of Dittany of Crete goods.