Dittany of Crete

by Amethyst
I really didn't know what herbe to write for this month's Axis Mundi as it's after Samhain but before Yule. As I was doing the research before Samhain (officially 12:32am 6/5/10) it just seemed right to do another Samhain herbe, so here it is!

Botanical: Origanum dictamnus
Planetary associations: Venus
Zodiac associations: Libra, Gemini
Element: Water
Gender: Feminine
Magickal classifications:
Invocatory: Persephone, Aphrodite, Artemis, Zeus
Part Used: leaves
Synonyms: dictame, Dictame de Crete (French), dictame vrai, dictamnus, diktamo, dittany, Dittany of Candie, hop marjoram, hop plant, Mangirotu, origan dictame, Spanish hops

Dittany of Crete originated on the island of Crete and is supposed to have been named for the mountain Dicte on Crete. A second option is the Latin meaning of Dittany's name, Origanum, most likely derives from two Greek words, meaning 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 translates as shrub. And a third option is; an earlier Minoan goddess Diktynna who gave her name to the herb and has supposedly left many reminders of herself there in Crete.

Zeus, ruler of the Olympian gods reputedly gave the beautiful and health-giving herb to Crete as thanks for his upbringing there. He was born in the Dikteon Andron cave on Crete after his mother Rhea fled there to trick her husband Cronus and protect her son.

Ancient shepherds noticed that wild goats would seek out dittany after being wounded by arrows. After eating the plant the arrows fell out and the wounds healed. Shepherds discovered that eating dittany helped heal open wounds in humans also. Later shepherds developed compresses made from dittany leaves.

According to Virgil's version of the Trojan War, Aeneas was severely wounded by an arrow so deeply embedded that it could not be removed. His mother, the Roman Goddess Venus, took some dittany of Crete from Mount Ida on the island of Crete, applied it to Aeneas' wound, causing the arrow to drop out and healing the wound immediately. It was also popular as a therapeutic plant in Minoan Crete, ancient Greece, and ancient Egypt (Kemet).

The Greek goddess of love Aphrodite is also linked to Dittany as she used it to treat her wounded son, Aeneas during the Trojan War. And because of its reputed Aphrodisiac qualities is inexorably linked with the goddess of love herself.

Aphrodite's sister goddess Artemis also has connections with Dittany and was often crowned with a wreath of Dittany on her statues in temples to honour her.

Hippocrates recommended dittany for stomach and digestive system diseases, rheumatism and arthritis, regulating menstruation, healing wounds, and toning the body. Dittany of Crete is mentioned in Charlemagne's herb list and was popular throughout the Christian Dark Ages (medieval times).

Other Ancient Greek scholars besides Hippocrates, such as Aristotle and Theophrastus, all extolled the virtues of the 'miracle cure' plant in various ancient writings.

Later in the Roman Era poets, writers and philosophers such as Virgil, Cicero and Pliny the elder all commented on the benefits of Dittany.

A branch of healing dittany she brought,
Which in the Cretan fields with care she sought:
Rough is the stem, which woolly leafs surround;
The leafs with flow'rs, the flow'rs with purple crown'd,

(From Virgil's Aeneid 12.411-431)

Later still, during the Classical Renaissance period, European scholars, herbalists and botanists such as Gerald, Dapper and Culpepper renewed interest into the efficacy of Dittany.

In the Qabalah dittany is listed in the Material Correspondence of Malkuth to be used as a perfume. Malkuth is the final of the ten Sephiroth on the "Tree of Life." Its meaning in Hebrew is Kingdom.

USAGE

Dittany is sometimes associated with Hallow's Eve, when rituals are done throughout the world to seek communion with those who have passed into the Otherworld. The leaves can be burned as incense or burned in the Hallow's fire when seeking communication which brings wisdom from the other side. Dittany has also been associated with the Underworld, and can be connected with Persephone, Orris and other deities who can assist with transport into that realm.

This herb is excellent for manifestations of spirits when burned as an incense. Dittany can be mixed with equal parts of vanilla, benzoin and sandalwood to make an astral projection incense. Burn a small amount before making the attempt. The juice of the dittany will drive away venomous beasts, so rub it on your body before entering their domains.

Dittany can help with the sure activation of your Third Eye, and it has a traditional use in its ability to help manifest our psychic vision. Dittany is a teacher or guide's good tool of new awareness, connective enlightenment and understanding. Use Dittany Essential Oil to clarify your psychic ability and to assist you as a beginner with any divination techniques.

ESSENTIAL OIL

Dittany's therapeutical properties, according to a study performed by the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI),(8-10 May 1996, CIHEAM, Vallezano-Bari, Italy), are: insectifuge, anti-endemic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiflux,- perfumery, antirheumatic, spasmolytic, bactericide, termitifuge, fungicide, anesthetic, herbicide, antiplaque, vermifuge, antiseptic, carminative, tracheorelaxant, expectorant, febrifuge, nematicide, hepatoprotectant, prostaglandin, cicatrizing. The active ingredient of Dittany of Crete is the essential oil carvacrol.

Properties:
Colour: About red.
Essence: Special thin aromatic (high tones).
Special weight: 0.933 - 0.935
Curver-power :+3.

An aromatherapy dilution (using almond oil) can be used externally for massages and it has an intense and direct action as:

  1. Relaxant - tonic (intense anti-stress therapy).
  2. Intense action in nervous system.
  3. Intense action in muscular aches (nape-aches, waist-aches, legs-aches).
  4. Intense action in headaches and period pains.
  5. Circulation system (intense action in rheumatism and phlebitis).
  6. Cicatrisation of dermic exanthemas (acne, eczema).
  7. Intense action in cellulite.
  8. Anti-ageing action.
  9. Intense antiseptic action for face and body therapies.
References:
http://cretashop.gr/br/productsbr/diet/dittanyoil.htm
http://www.janih.com/lady/herbs/magick/D.html#dittany
http://magick.daruthe.com/magickal_properties/herbs/Dittany%20Of%20Crete%20%28Dictamus%20origanoides%29.htm
http://herb-magic.com/dittany-of-crete.html
http://www.mysticconvergence.com/oils-potions/daughters-of-isis-premium-oils/witch-oil-blends/ditany-of-crete-oil/prod_3386.html
http://dittany-of-crete.com/mythology.aspx
http://cosbycreekherbal.com/herbs/magical-properties/dittany-of-crete.html
http://www.thelemapedia.org/index.php/Malkuth

Picture References:
http://www.calfloranursery.com/pages_plants/pages_o/oridic.html
http://www.mountainvalleygrowers.com/oridictamnus.htm
http://www.blessyourbody.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=66
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origanum_dictamnus

P.S. I have left out any reference to Dittany's usage as a herbe of love, although there is an element of love in death.