The legendary Dittany of Crete (Origanum dictamnus) has its roots firmly planted in early Greek Mythology. Quite literally the rare endemic plant known as Diktamo grows in the very birthplace of Zeus - the Dikteon Andron Cave on Mount Dikti on the Greek Island of Crete. And this is where it derives the name Diktamo.
Dittany of Crete is known in Latin as Origanum dictamnus. Origanum is a blend of two Greek words 'joy' and 'mountains'. The word dictamnus is again a blending of two words - the first part refers to Dikti, the mountain where Zeus was born and thamnos means shrub.
Zeus, ruler of the Olympian Gods, was born in the Dikteon Andron cave on Crete after his mother Rhea fled there to trick her husband Cronus and protect her son. Zeus, in thanks for his upbringing on Crete, gave the pink coloured and healing aromatic plant to the Greek island.
Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of love, is also linked to Dittany of Crete as she used it to treat her wounded son Aeneas during the Trojan War. And because dittany of Crete has reputed Aphrodisiac qualities, it is inexorably linked with the goddess of love herself.
Aphrodite's sister, the Goddess Artemis, also has connections with Dittany of Crete, and was often crowned with a wreath of Dittany on her statues in temples to honour her.
An earlier Minoan goddess, Diktynna, has left many reminders of herself in Crete. There are rivers, mountains, gorges and bays all named after her and of course the wonderful herb Diktamo.
Dittany has also gained a reputation throughout the centuries as a magical plant, and is used even today in magic rituals and in casting spells.
It even gets a mention in the fictional Harry Potter books as a magical herb!
Alison M Yates wrote this article. To learn more about this miracle herb, visit http://dittany-of-crete.com/
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