Dittany

Origanum dictamnus L. an endemic plant of the Greek island of Crete, where it grows wild, from sea level up to the high mountains.
Nowadays, as in the past, dittany is widely used in Crete as a traditional medicine. The aerial parts of the plants are being used in various preparations against almost every illness and for the maintenance of good health.

Dittany of Crete has been associated with several medicinal properties: it is orexigenic (triggers appetite), antioxidant (e.g. Couladis et al., 2003, Kaliora et al., 2014; Kouri et al., 2007; Lagouri and Alexandri, 2013; Lionis et al., 1998; Møller et al., 1999; Skotti et al., 2014 and Tair et al., 2014), diuretic and digestive (e.g. Bazaios, 1982), emmenagogue (e.g. Bazaios, 1982), antispasmodic (e.g. Skoula and Kamenopoulos, 1997), astringent, soothing the nervous system (e.g. Bazaios, 1986).

Additionally, it has antibacterial (Sivropoulou et al., 1996 and Economakis et al., 2002), antifungal (Vokou, et al. 1993, Daferera et al., 2000 and Karanika et al., 2001) and anthelmintic properties (e.g. Skoula and Kamenopoulos, 1997).

Dittany of Crete and its infusion preparation is regarded to date as traditional herbal medicinal product in the following indications (EMA/ HMPC, 2013): (i) for the relief of cough associated with cold, (ii) for the relief of minor skin inflammations and bruises and (iii) for the relief of mild gastrointestinal disorders.

The following data (Table 1) refer to the most common uses of these preparations according to the local villagers and ethnographic literature.