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Home The Plants

Dittany of Crete

Dittany of Crete (Origanum dictamnus)

 

Flowers: Summer. Height: Up to 30cm (12in).

 

Medicinal: Best known as a wound herb and as an antidote to snakebite and poison due to strong antiseptics contained in the leaves which was made into a medicinal tea. The dried herb, rubbed between the hands and then mixed with a little wine, could be spread on the body to repel serpents. The Greek botanist Theophrastus, following his master Aristotle, maintained that the wild goats of Mount Ida when stricken by the arrows of hunters, would seek out the herb and eat it. The arrows would drop from their bodies and the wounds would be cured. This story was repeated by Dioscorides in his book De materia medica, where he lists a number of alternative names for the herb including artemidon, after the goddess Artemis, goddess of the hunt, who could both deliver wounds and heal them, as the juice of the plant, put directly on the wound or drunk, cured any injury caused by iron. Dittany’s reputation as a wound herb is maintained by the Roman poet Virgil in Book XII of the Aeneid, in which the goddess Venus herself brings a branch of the herb from Mount Ida to Italy to heal the wound dealt in battle to her son Aeneas. Culpeper’s Complete Herbal (1653) stated “It is an excellent wound herb and in much reputation among the ancients. The whole herb is good for diseases of the head, and to open up all manner of obstructions”. 

 

Culinary: Used in France and Italy for flavouring vermouth.

Dill
Echinacea

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What our visitors say about the castle

Mrs R
I just wanted to say my husband and I visited the Castle and thought it the most splendid place!   From the staff, Tea Room, signage information so well presented, but one of my main reasons for contacting you was to say that Kelly, one of your members of staff excelled herself.   We joined her for a bit of archery, managed to hit the board, my husband 86 and myself 77 didn’t do too badly!  Her rapport and information with the Birds of Prey was second to none, she obviously loves her job, she is truly an asset to the Castle, thank you. Please pass on this email to the relevant source, thank you.
A visitor October 2024
You must visit! Beautiful!
You must go! Driven passed many times, made the effort to visit on Monday. Really interesting. Beautiful location and views. More to look at than you might think! Friendly helpful and informative staff. Great falconry display. Lovely gardens. Nice cakes and scones in the cafe. Highly recommended 👌
YorTours – Breathe in Yorkshire
Another brilliant experience on Friday with my pre booked 2 clients from Ohio
Birds of prey on arrival for 3pm falconry display; followed by castle and boars feeding - whilst I had time to feed in your cafe too
Just brilliant - thanks and we always get a genuine warm welcome from all you staff and the ladies in the cafe too !
Warmest regards,
Nick
Visitor March 2025
The visit was very informative and reached back 300 years to show what lives people experienced . The  catering was excellent and varied. Hope to return one day
Emma Benny
To Bolton Castle staff,
My father and I visited Bolton Castle today (Friday 21st July) and I wanted to express our gratitude for the wonderful experience we had. The Castle staff were all so friendly and welcoming.
I was most impressed with the Lad who facilitated the Falconry and Archery. His knowledge on the birds was phenomenal and his presence and confidence during his time showing the birds was wonderful to watch, we were really impressed.
We really appreciated his time spent answering questions and chatting with us and the other Castle guests.
Thank you so much for a great experience.

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Bolton Castle
Nr Leyburn
North Yorkshire
DL8 4ET

T: 01969 623981
E: info@boltoncastle.co.uk

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