Origanum Dictamnus

Other Names : dittany of Crete, Cretan dittany, hop majoram, Δίκταμο, Έρωντας, Dictamelia®
Dittany of Crete has always been highly prized and is gathered while in bloom in the summer months. It is exported for use in pharmaceuticals, perfumery and to flavor drinks such as vermouth and absinthe. It is also one of the herbs in Benedictine liquor. It has a pleasant aromatic flavor, especially when mixed with parsley, thyme, garlic, salt and pepper. The flowering tops are dried and brewed into a herb tea.

Health Benefits and uses of Origanum Dictamnus are

• Dittany has antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial properties due to the phenol carvacrol. It has been used as an antirheumatic, oxytocic, stomachic and vulnerary. On the Island of Crete it is considered as a "miracle cure all" local remedy for almost everything (sore throat, cough, menstrual pains, aching stomach, hypertensive, diuretic, helps at child birth, cures wounds, etc.)
• As a medicinal plant, the herb has been utilized to heal wounds, soothe pain, and ease childbirth. The root was used as a salve to treat sciatica and the juice was consumed in wine to cure snake bites. Additionally, it was used as a remedy against gastric or stomach ailments and rheumatism. Dittany as a warm drink was used as anticonvulsive, to strengthen the heart muscles and arteries and as a menstrual tonic and when mixed with cinnamon and honey, it sooths cough.
• Externally is used as a poultice on wounds and bruises. Often used in cosmetics industry, to nourish and hydrate dry, dehydrated skin. Great interest has been shown in the natural beauty remedies made using Dittany of Crete. The rejuvenating anti-aging facial treatments and anti-cellulite body creams are proving to be the newest, most groundbreaking and most talked about innovative beauty products today.
• Dittany of Crete has been scientifically tested as an effective treatment for skin conditions, for anti-aging, and helping reduce cellulite.
• Excellent tonic and aphrodisiac
• Diseases of the stomach and digestibe system
• Liver Diseases
• rheumatism, arthritis
• convulsions
• Pain Period
• Dysmenorrhea
• Antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogenes

aroma Profile

• Carvacrol
• Thymol
• Cymene