I am trying to concentrate and decide what are the most important characteristics of this amazing herb, because if I let myself loose I can write pages about dittany or Origanum dictamnus...
First of all, this herb grows uncultivated only in the island of Crete. I live in Crete a bit more than 8 years now and there are moments that I believe that I am here just because I had to meet some herbs, and dittany is definitely one of them . I knew dittany before I move to the island, but I had never gotten deep into its legends, traditions, its medicinal benefits and the stories that accompany it.
There are archaeological proofs that it has been known for its healing properties since Minoan ages, 3.000 BC. I find it just fascinating. Not only it is represented in mural and vessel paintings, but also seeds have been identified from that era.
Aristotle, the ancient Greek philosopher and scientist, noticed in around 350 BC that when the wild goats of the island were hit by an arrow they were eating dittany that helped the extraction of the arrow and stopped the bleeding of the wound.
All these stories fascinate me! I always like to imagine these first people that after hours, months or even years of observation came to the same conclusions as the scientists now do with all their microscopes and in vitro studies. I always admire the wisdom of ordinary people that were so close to nature and could decode messages that are mysteries to us.
Until recently, when people hadn't yet started cultivating it, there were few brave people that were collecting dittany from cliffs hard to reach. Many have died trying to approach this inaccessible herb. Another name for dittany in Crete is "erontas" which means love and they used to call the brave gatherers "erontades", because as they said they had to go through all the sufferings of love for approaching the precious dittany.
Nowadays it is an endangered species and very close to extinct. People have started cultivating it and hopefully it will continue to grow free away from dangerous animals as human beings.
It is considered to be afrodisiac and this is another explanation for its local name "erontas".
Other names that people have given to it are:
"Stamatochorto" something like "stopping herb" because of its anti-hemorrhagic properties.
"Stomachochorto", "stomach herb" as it has amazing healing powers for the stomach and the digestion.
"Stomatochorto", "mouth herb" as it is used for mouth infections, toothaches and bad breath.
It is also used when you have headache. You make a paste by smashing it and putting it over the spot of the ache. I use to chew it when I have a headache and it has some great results especially if I do it in the early stages of the headache.
The list of benefits is long, but I think this is a good basis.
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I would recommend it to everyone. There are no contraindications apart from people who have allergies in oregano, marjoram and other species of the family.
There is no limitation on how often or for how long you use it, but I always like to keep a balance and a variety, so I never use a herb for more than 10 days in a row, even if I am allowed to :)
For me dittany is something more than an amazing healing herb. It is also a kind of ally in the field of herbs. Inspirational and a clear guide for the route that I have chosen as a herbalist.
It has a primitive female energy. It is a tender healer that found its way through rocks and time with strenght.
It attracts me by the beauty of its flower and the legendary stories that come from ancient times in this tiny part of the world.
PS 1. All the beautiful photos are taken by 
PS 2. I tried not to use many scientific names and definitions, but anything that has to do with its healing properties are based in the notes of the Herbalism course that I took at the Department of Pharmacy of the University of Athens.
PS 3. The energetic powers of dittany are out of my mind and heart, which means this is how I feel it and I am always open in listening to other opinions. I am in love with this herb, so I am not exactly objective when it comes to feelings :) For me it is a soul healer and I am grateful working so close to this plant!