Dittany of Crete
DITTANY OF CRETE Aphrodisiacs through the ages have been associated with foods such as herbs and plant extracts, An aphrodisiac is thought to be an aid to increase a person’s libido and enhance their sexual performance. Things believed to be aphrodisiacs are discovered all the time. One recent discovery is "Dittany", a herb grown in Crete, this magical sex herb, may seem to be a new discovery but It has been widely used on Crete since the Minoan times, dating back some 5000 years. The Cretan men still use the herb to enhance their sexual prowess; they have no need for the chemical drug 'Viagra'. The inhabitants of Crete live long and healthy lives compared with the rest of the world's population; this fact has been scientifically proven. Their longevity and health is attributed to the healthy Cretan diet that they eat. The Cretan Diet is famous for its healthy components that are similar to the Mediterranean Diet, it consists of a few basics bread, olive oil, fresh fruit and vegetables with small amounts of red meat and fish, it also allows for a glass or two of wine (preferably red). Their use of the natural herbs that grow wild in the Cretan mountains and valleys, lend themselves to the winning recipe for good health and vigour, leading to an optimum in sexual performance. The "Dittany" herb (origanum dictamnus) is a favourite amongst the Cretan's of all the wild herbs as it is this herb that enhances the sexual performance. Dittany is endemic to Crete, it grows wild on the island of Crete, and nowhere else in the world will it be found. The Cretans consider "Dittany" as an aphrodisiac, a sex herb, and call it Eronda, which means Love. As mentioned before "dittany" only grows in the mountains, valleys and gorges of Crete. The name Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love is where the word aphrodisiac comes from. Aphrodite reputedly used "Dittany", as it is believed to also have therapeutic healing properties associated with love and sex. Pink is the colour of the "Dittany", and because of where it grows, it can make quite hard work collecting bunches of the pink blooms off the mountain sides, this is usually done by ardent lovers probably to give as a love token . Throughout the centuries this magical herb is reported to be responsible for numerous deaths, caused by carelessness whilst collecting the herb, young lovers scrambling up mountains and in the deep gorges so desperate were the young men to acquire it. The gathering of "Dittany" is a very dangerous occupation; men risk life and limb, climbing in the mountains and gorges where the plant grows wild. These men are called Erondades (love seekers) they are classed as very passionate going to such risky and dangerous places to collect the herb. "Dittany” is used in cooking, medicines and also magical purposes, so with greater demand it is now cultivated in Crete, making it easier for collection. Although there is no scientific proof of its qualities as an aphrodisiac, whether it is down to this magical herb or the healthy Cretan diet, there are many Cretan men that have no need for Viagra!
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