Scientific Name : Origanum dictamnus
Also known as : Dittany of Crete, Cretan dittany, Hop marjoram, Vrastari, Winter Sweet
Properties : Although through history it has been seen as a magical healing herb, modern testing has not found any useful properties. It is used primarily now for cooking.
Uses : Used to flavour both vermouth and absinthe. Culinary uses, Gastric Ulcers. Burned loose as an incense.
Try It : Love spell, simply burn Dittany on a charcoal disc with dragons blood. The smoke will form the face of your intended love.
Parts used: Leaves and Flowers
Magic : Love spells, Gender Identity spells, Spirit Manifestations.
Deities : Diktynna (Cretan Goddess), Persephone and Orris
Folklore : Known in Crete as an aphrodisiac lovers would climb into the mountains and gouges to pick the herb that grows naturally in the rock face, sadly plenty have fallen to their deaths over the years trying to pick it. If you didn’t want to risk the climb you could hire a “Love Collector” to pick it for you. Famed for healing in Harry Potter dittany actually got its reputation from goats. Aristotle noticed that if shot with an arrow goats would go in search of the herb, who would then be magically healed. The arrow being pushed back out the skin. The flowers are hermaphrodite having both male and female organs.
Plant Tips : Perennial that grows on the island of Crete in the mountains, grows 20-30cm. It grows well up to 1800m in the windy mountains
For more plants and herb click here for my index.