Origanum Dictamnus (O. Dictamnus), known commonly as Dittany of Crete, is a species of dittany that is found only in Crete – it is endemic to the island. Because of the unique and rare nature of the plant, Dittany of Crete has held a very special place in Cretan culture for thousands of years.
According to Greek mythology the herb was dedicated to Artemis, the goddess of hunting. It is said that Artemis healed the wounds of those struck with arrows with the dittany plant. In Cretan mythology, it was said that the Cretan goddess of childbirth, Eilithia, wore a dittany wreath on her head to signify her power to facilitate difficult births.
Dittany has also been used to symbolically represent love. The herb in local speech is sometimes referred to as erontas which means love! Apart from the obvious symbolism since the plant grows heart-shaped leaves, it often grows in steep and inaccessible places. It is said that only those who are truly in love and willing to risk their lives to give the herb to a loved one can obtain it. Indeed, it was once collected by young men to give as a token of their love.
Dittany of Crete has an agreeable herbal scent with floral top notes and savoury undertones. It has mild notes of oregano and thyme, and it has a hint of spiciness and bitterness.
Properties:
Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Astringent
How to use:
Preparation: Add 1 tablespoon of leaves in water (about a cup) and simmer for 3′. Turn off the heat and steep it for 5 more minutes to extract the properties and herbaceous aroma. Strain in a clean spray container and let it cool. Store in the fridge. Use the brewed tea within a few days.
Use it as body and hair lotion to treat stressed scalp Spray your damp hair, and let it sink in for 5′. Rinsing off is optional.
Use it as a moisturizing face mist against stressed skin after cleaning your face, before moisturizing.
Use it as a toner by applying the tea to your skin using a reusable cotton/bamboo pad in the morning.
These ways are all effective for adding moisture and nutrients to your hair and skin giving a healthy glow.
Ethos and ingredients:
100% Origanum dictamnus dried flowers and leaves. Organically grown and responsibly hand-harvested by To Fillo local farmers, you can be certain that your herbal tea is sustainably sourced. Caffeine-free.
Size and packaging:
22 gr (think of 31 cups of strongly brewed tea) of loose-leaf tea in a food-grade pp bag with a ziplock (please recycle). Loose tea, aka no tea bags means no unnecessary plastic.
Care and shelf life:
Keep your tea and herbs in a dark, dry cupboard away from pests. Store your brew for the skin in the fridge and use it within a week. The current batch we have in stock expires in 2024.
| Weight | 30 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 8 × 3 × 17 cm |
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