Cretan Healing Herbs Massage

Dittany of Crete  Origanum dictamnus is a small ground covering herb found only in the rocky mountainous regions of the island of Crete in Greece. This rock-loving hardy little bush has rounded leaves, tough exterior and colonises in hard places. Known for its healing properties, this little tiny plant is the stuff of legends going back for centuries, becoming myths. It is known by many different names such as :  Dictamnus creticus, dittany, diktamo, eronda, Crete dittany and Cretan dittany, hop majoram and winter sweet.

In Cretan dialect it is known as Ο Έρωντας τις Κρήτης or Erondas, which roughly translates as 'love', which is actually a derivation from the word 'eros' which is one of the Greek words for love and the Greek God of love, sexual desire and fertility.This is because the herb was associated with love since the ancient times, it is said to be an aphrodisiac and traditionally given to newly weds to ignite their passion.

Aphrodite is said to have used it, and Hippocrates prescribed it. Its full medical value is still being researched, but from the oral and written history it is clear this is a unique healing herb.

It is mentioned in the writings of :

Homer, Aristotle, Evripides, Theofrastos, Virgil, Plutarch, Dioskourides and Galinos.

Its other healing uses are many and varied and when we speak to our grandmother she says it is "very strong, very strong and good for the stomach." It can be used in a poultice for application on wounds, used for menstral cramps and for digestive disorders.