Origanum dictamnus (Dittany of Crete or Hop Marjoram), known in Greek as "Δίκταμο" or in Cretan dialect "Έρωντας" (love), is a tender perennial plant that grows 10-20 cm high.
Today the plant is classified as a stomach tonic. A simple infusion of the leaves may be used as a substitute for tea and as a remedy for nervous complaints
Some use has been made of the plant (chiefly the powdered root) in herbalism. However, as the alternative name "False dittany" implies, it is unrelated to the Dittany found in Crete, which has a much more significant history of medicinal use. Like Dittany of Crete they were believed to be useful for cordial and cephalic ailments, to help resist poison and combat putrefaction, and to be useful in malignant and pestilential fevers. They were also used for cases of hysteria.
Dittany of Crete, ιs one of the best-known healing herbs of folklore. Native to the mountains of Crete and also called dittany or dictamnus. Procumbent white, woolly stems, usually trailing, develop pink or purplish flowers in the summer. The small gray leaves have a velvety texture.
Dittany of Crete is generally recognized as safe for human consumption as a natural flavoring