Dittany or erontas, adixtam, adixtam, dixtam, dittany, dittany, hairgrass, stop grass, stomach grass and greek name: Δικταμο
Herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the chelants. The dittany is an endemic plant that grows in all the mountains of the island.
According to Theophrastus the dittamonon "The place that bears it is not rare, nor is it scarce, and the place that bears it, and goats are set aside for the kissing; and the saying about the arrows is also true, that when they are shot, they are shot".
The name comes from the Cretan term Dikti. The dittany grows in mountainous and hilly limestone areas, in gorges, on cliffs and rocks in mountainous areas with an altitude of 0- 1600m, mainly on the eastern slopes of the Idis and Diktis mountains of Crete.
In antiquity it was used for medical purposes, such as the healing of wounds from arrows but also as a ''panacea'', i.e. for the treatment of any disease and it was praised - for its medicinal action - by: Aristotle, Plutarch, Apuleios, Cicero, Virgil, etc.
According to Theophrastus for the dittamon "The place that bears the dittamon is rare and scarce, and goats lie down for the kissing, and the saying about the arrows is also true, that when they are ejected by the arrows when they are archered" by eating the dittamon they expel the arrows they have received.
In the Hippocratic Collection, the dittamonon is mentioned in the books "Per Gynaekiai Physios", "Gynaekion tò Proton" and "Aphoron". Hippocrates highlighted its usefulness for stomach aches and as a poultice for healing wounds and writes about the plant's therapeutic gynaecological properties.
According to Gennadios, Diktamnon has a long history and has been associated since antiquity, with many stories concerning its uses.
Virgil in the Aeneid, Theophrastus and Dioscorides have references to the healing properties of dittany.
It contains carbacrol, combined with essential oils and flavonoids.
Antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic
Pharmaceutical forms
As a decoction ("teion") with hot water.
Pharmacological and therapeutic applications
As a soothing hot drink, in inflammations of the upper respiratory system (relief of cough associated with the common cold), as well as in mild stomach and intestinal disorders (indigestion).
Aqueous extracts have been used in skin wound dressings, as well as in cosmetic products intended for topical use.
Adverse actions
It should only be used in adults and for up to two weeks.
