Culture – Jadi Campbell

Charles Pierre Baudelaire + δίκταμος

Poet Charles Baudelaire was born April 9, 1821 in Paris, France. I was fascinated to discover that he’d translated the works of Edgar Allen Poe into French! In Baudelaire’s honor here is the post I wrote after visiting Crete and trying dittany. – Jadi

I’m sitting down to drink a cup of tea. If you don’t hear from me again, please notify my husband.

I’m going to try dittany or diktamos. The Cretans call it erontas or erondas, from the word eros. As you know, Eros is the Greek god of love and sexuality. The Greek is diktamos (δίκταμος) or erondas (έρωντας).

Diktamos is an herb that grows only on remote, rocky hilltops on the island of Crete. The name comes from the Dikti mountain range in the Lasithi region of East Crete.

The use of dittany goes back into the mists of history. It may be the plant featured in the fresco of garlands at the Minoan palace of Knossos. Hippocrates prescribed it. Homer, Euripides, Aristotle and Theophrastus, Plutarch and Virgil all wrote about the herb.

When Aeneas is injured, his mother Aphrodite (Venus) uses dittany to cure him:

A branch of healing dittany she brought

Which in the Cretan fields with care she sought:

Rough is the stern, which woolly leafs surround;

The leafs with flow’rs, the flow’rs with purple crown’d,

Well known to wounded goats; a sure relief

To draw the pointed steel, and ease the grief. [1]

Even characters in Baudelaire’s Les Fleurs du Mal and JK Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows use dittany. The herb is considered an aphrodisiac (okay, maybe not in Harry Potter). Suitors collected the wild dittany flowers and gave bouquets to prove their love. The young men were known as “erondades (love seekers) and were considered very passionate men to go to such dangerous lengths to collect the herb.” [2] Traditionally, diktamos was given to newlyweds to inflame desire.

It can be used both internally and externally: a poultice, an essential oil, for application on wounds, an herbal tea (my chosen method – I bought a bag of dried herbs when we were on Crete this fall), to disinfect wounds, chewed, or as toothpaste for a sore throat and to clean the mouth and teeth. Dittany is distilled and used as a bitter in vermouth or martinis (for example), and in cosmetics. [3]

Finally, before I drink my brewed cup, I give you my favorite fact. Dittany/Diktamos is also known as the burning bush. I leave it to you to decide why I’m drinking it.

In memory of Charles Baudelaire, 9 April 1821 to 31 August 1867

NOTES: Copyright © 2025 Jadi Campbell. Previously published as Love Tea. [1] Book XII.411–415 of Virgil’s Aeneid. As the poem mentions, Cretan mountain goats nibble on diktamos to heal their wounds. [2] botano.gr. The flowers of the Dittany plant are hermaphroditic with both male and female organs. [3] This rare and protected little plant gets around! Photo courtesy of phyto.gr. To see Uwe’s photos and pics from our trips go to viewpics.de.

“Dittany contains an essential oil called Carvacrol, which is a natural antibiotic, 50 times stronger than penicillin. In the leaves, there is furthermore a substance called Dictamin, which is used for cardiovascular diseases. In all, there are 70 different curative substances in the plant that can be extracted and used for medication or cosmetics.” — ilovecrete.eu

“Compounds of Dittany are powerful antioxidants. The essential oils have also antiseptic and anti-fungal properties and are often used in ointments to treat burns and skin ailments. Tea made from dittany is used to relieve tension headaches and as a relaxant. Dittany is also used to relieve indigestion, colic, stomach cramps and bloating. It is also thought to be a diuretic and to combat fever.” —greece-is.com

To learn more: Origanum_dictamnus, www.we-love-crete

I am a Best American Essays-nominated writer. My books are Broken In: A Novel in Stories, Tsunami Cowboys, Grounded, The Trail Back Out, and The Taste of Your Name. Recent awards include Finalist for the 2025 Compass Press Book Award for The Taste of Your Name and Finalist for Greece’s Eyelands 11th International Short Story Contest.

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Presale: International Human Rights Art Movement

My essay Red, Red Roses is included in the Women Power Anthology and was nominated for Best American Essays.

The book is 33% off in a special pre-sale order until April 6^th.

All proceeds go to support the International Human Rights Art Movement.

You can now pre-order a copy of “Women Power 2nd Edition.”

💛 Each individual contributor offers a powerful perspective on what it means to exercise power from a uniquely female perspectective.

🤩 WHY you’ll like this book: Originally published in 2021, edited by IHRAM Fellow Shashi Kadapa, it’s now packed with new material, and including an exclusive introduction by Marla Giulian, an Italian author and volunteer Coordinator for the Super Power Agency.

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The Magic of Metal

I loved the metal sculptures in southern Africa. They adorn everything from walls to drives to shops. Here are some of my favorites.

Riverside Guest Lodge, Oudtshoorn, South Africa

Gate that opens for road to lodge in Divundu, Namibia

Here are a few more examples:

https://www.contemporary-african-art.com/contemporary-sculpture.html

I am a Best American Essays-nominated writer. My books are Broken In: A Novel in Stories, Tsunami Cowboys, Grounded, The Trail Back Out, and The Taste of Your Name. My recent awards are Finalist for the 2025 Compass Press Book Award and Finalist for Greece’s Eyelands 11th International Short Story Contest.

Click here for my author page to learn more about me and purchase my books.

Save the Animal Kingdom! #11

I present installment #11 from my blog thread describing what to call groups of animals … I updated it and the roll call of endangered species has grown. See how many you can guess. Answers listed at the bottom of the page.

A walk walks very, very slowly.
When this parade parades by, you can’t miss it.
The building builds on the built building.
The skulk skulks to avoid hunters.
The clutter cluttered the basement.
He didn’t want a kettle in his kettle.

Parade member, Sahakari Spice Farm Goa, India

Answers:

Walk of snails [1]
Parade of elephants [2]
Building of rooks [3]
Skulk of foxes [4]
Clutter of spiders [5]
Kettle of vultures [6]

I’m beyond dismayed – I am furious. The Trump administration is gutting environmental protections. Take action. Speak up! Write letters, make phone calls, donate to organizations like the Environmental Defense Fund and Greenpeace. Volunteer.

NOTES: [1] Scientific American reports that snails are going extinct. scientificamerican.com [2] Yup, the planet’s largest land mammal is on the list. WWF [3] Rook populations are in decline. [4]The fox is in danger of going extinct. People’s Trust for Endangered Species [5] Sigh. Spiders make the list, too. Go to the following website for a partial listing of endangered spider species: www.earthsendangered.com [6] And go to this site for a list of threatened vulture species: Mother Nature Network © Jadi Campbell 2025. All photos © Uwe Hartmann. To see more of Uwe’s animal photos and pics from our trips go to viewpics.de. Fun animal names from www.writers-free-reference.com, Mother Nature Network and www.reference.com.

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Save the Animal Kingdom! #10

This is installment #10 from my blog thread describing what to call groups of animals, more and more of them in danger of extinction … See how many you can guess. Answers listed at the bottom of the page.

He parceled out food to the parcel.
The bob bobbed.
I added an herb bouquet to the cooking bouquet.
The pack thinks this part of Australia should be called the Outpack.
The pace set a slow pace.
How the charm charmed me!

Answers:

Parcel of pigs
Bob of seals [1]
Bouquet of pheasant [2]
Pack of dingos [3]
Pace of asses
Charm of hummingbirds [4]

Bob, protected sea life islands near Woody Island, Esperance, Australia

I’m beyond dismayed – I am furious. The Trump administration is gutting environmental protections. Volunteer. Take action. Speak up! Write letters, make phone calls, donate to organizations like the Environmental Defense Fund and Greenpeace.

NOTES: [1] The gray seal flourishes, while other species need protecting. The Japanese sea lion and the Caribbean monk seal have not had confirmed sightings in the past 50 years and are considered extinct. The Galapagos fur seal, Hawaiian monk seal, Caspian seal, and Mediterranean monk seal are all endangered. The Mediterranean monk seal is currently considered the most at risk seal species. Seals World, IFAW [2] According to earthlife, pheasants are one of the most endangered groups of birds in the world. [3] The Australian dingo may become extinct. Bush Heritage [4] Ditto many hummingbird species. Hummingbird Society © Jadi Campbell 2025. All photos © Uwe Hartmann. To see more of Uwe’s animal photos and pics from our trips go to viewpics.de. Fun animal names from www.writers-free-reference.com, Mother Nature Network and www.reference.com.

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Rocks Like Aliens

or stones from the moon.

I’m in love with New Zealand. These are the Moeraki Boulders, mysterious rock spheres on an east Otago beach. The spheres are 60 million years old. Similar round rocks can be found in a few other places: Kimmeridge Clay and Oxford Clay in England, and North Dakota, USA.

Maori explain these boulders on New Zealand’s South Island as what remained when calabash squashes, sweet potatoes, and eel baskets washed ashore after Āraiteuru, a large sailing canoe, capsized. According to the legend, “the rocky shoals that extend seaward from Shag Point [are] the petrified hull of this wreck and a nearby rocky promontory [is] the body of the canoe’s captain. Their reticulated patterning on the boulders, according to this legend, are the remains of the canoe’s fishing nets. ^[[1]

It was early morning when we visited. The beach was mostly deserted and deeply mysterious. Sixty million years of existence lend objects the gift of magic, and the Moeraki Boulders were unlike any rock I’ve ever touched.

As I say: Rocks like aliens, or stones from the moon.

NOTES: [1] wiki/Moeraki_Boulders © Jadi Campbell 2025. To see Uwe’s pics from our trips go to viewpics.de.

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Don’t Attempt to Adjust that Dial…

My alternate titles for this post are, “Oh, Really??” and “Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection in Action”.

These photos are from the thermal springs in Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Rotorua, New Zealand. All of New Zealand is earthquake-prone and Rotorua steams and belches and burbles from the many, many underground geysers and hot springs. Rotorua is gloriously alive!

My first title, Don’t Attempt to Adjust that Dial, is because the colors are not normal. In fact, thanks to the high concentrations of various chemical and metallic elements, the colors of the pools are downright creepy. (According to their website, Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland is known as “One of the 20 Most Surreal Places in the World”.) https://www.waiotapu.co.nz/information/

I suspect the Champagne Pool’s orange isn’t normal either

The second title, “Oh Really??” is my sarcastic and astonished response that the park felt like they needed to post signs warning that the springs are damned hot:

Seriously? They have to warn people NOT to walk over and enter this pool?

Personally I thought the clouds of steam gave away the secret, but maybe that’s just me.

And the third alternate title “Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection in Action” was my response when I spotted this sign:

Apparently it isn’t enough to inform visitors that the waters are boiling hot. No: the park has to go further and admonish visitors NOT to climb over the waist-high fences and wade into the springs.

I say this proves beyond a doubt Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection, aka the law about survival of the fittest/brightest/least stupid.

PS: The park is run by Te Arawa Group Holdings, a local Maori tribal business. In addition to these signs, their Health and Safety Page has these warnings: “There is NO SMOKING allowed within the attraction.” And this: “Thermal pools can be very hot (over 100⁰C or 210⁰F) or have toxic gases or fumes at the surface. Also, thermal pools can form a thin crust over the top of them that looks like a solid surface, but will break if a person stood on it. Thermal pools can be hidden under vegetation. Please refrain from trying to touch any water or go the edge of pools as you can cause yourself serious harm.” And this. “Steam can be attractive to visitors, for your own safety, please refrain from sitting on, standing over, touching or placing any body part over steam vents or crevasses. These can be very hot and cause serious harm to your skin.” And this… “Being an active geothermal area with uneven terrain, sturdy footwear is recommended. Jandals, sandals, flip-flops or high heeled shoes are not suitable.” https://www.waiotapu.co.nz/health–safety/

Darwin’s turning in his grave!

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Basket #5: KwaZulu-Natal Basket for Women

This the last in my series on southern Africa’s traditional baskets. This lidded basket is from KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. I had done some reading, and wanted a ‘women’s’ basket.

The shape indicates an ukhamba basket and usually holds home-brewed sorghum beer. Its coil-weave is watertight. When the basket is filled, the ilala palm fibers swell and the outer surface of the basket sweats. These baskets are used for special ceremonies (like weddings).

The double diamond pattern signifies a married woman.

The colors start with the ilala palm (Hyphaene Coriacea), harvested from the North-Eastern Coast of KwaZulu-Natal. Its natural color is cream. Every other color is naturally obtained from roots, berries, bark and leaves. Black and brown are provided by the roots of the isizimane tree, which are crushed and boiled for many days. The orange comes from the roots of the xomisane plant. The ijuba plant is soaked in black mud for up to 1 week to produce the grey color.

Basket-making used to be exclusively a male occupation, but now the Zulu women create them. Today’s baskets can be used to store food or liquids, and master weavers make beautiful items of contemporary (and classic!) art.

The basket I purchased was woven by artist Zamama Khumahi.

NOTES: For more examples of Kwa Zulu-Natal basketry, go to these websites: Ilala Company South Africa, Naturesways.tripod.com , African Craft Market ©2025 Jadi Campbell. Uwe’s photos of our trips and his photography may be viewed at viewpics.de.

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Save the Animal Kingdom! #9

Yes. It’s time for the next post on animals that may go extinct thanks to the Trump administration’s removal of environmental protections. Installment #9 from my blog thread describing what to call groups of animals … See how many you can guess. Answers listed at the bottom of the page.

The gulp gulped down fish.
A puddle needs more water than just a puddle.
Late season is packed with packs.
A blessing blesses all my dreams.
The kennel was so happy to be out of the kennel!
The hover hovered just under the surface.

Answers:

Gulp of cormorants [1]
Puddle of platypussi [2]
Late season of grouse (in late season) [3]
Blessing of unicorns
Kennel of dogs
Hover of trout [4]

NOTES: [1] At last, I can list some good news for a species: cormorants, once seriously threatened by DDT, rebounded after the chemical was outlawed and are now being culled. [2] While they once thrived across much of eastern Australia, the platypus faces localised extinction, particularly in the western part of their range. WWF [3] The greater sage grouse is perhaps Canada’s most endangered species. Alberta wilderness [4] Nearly all native trout — 92 percent — face some level of risk. Trout Unlimited© Jadi Campbell 2025. All photos © Uwe Hartmann. To see more of Uwe’s animal photos and pics from our trips go to viewpics.de. Fun animal names from www.writers-free-reference.com, Mother Nature Network and www.reference.com.

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Kids at Cranberry

This post is a blast from the past. My family spent many of the happiest weeks of our lives, individually and as a family unit, on the back trails of the Adirondacks. I’m posting this to remind myself I’m still on that trail, always.

Happy New Year Everyone!

I am a Best American Essays-nominated writer. My books are Broken In: A Novel in Stories, Tsunami Cowboys, Grounded, The Trail Back Out, and The Taste of Your Name. My recent awards are Finalist for the 2025 Compass Press Book Award and Finalist for Greece’s Eyelands 11th International Short Story Contest.

Follow these links for Amazon.com or Amazon.de.

Category: Culture

Charles Pierre Baudelaire + δίκταμος

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Presale: International Human Rights Art Movement

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The Magic of Metal

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Save the Animal Kingdom! #11

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Save the Animal Kingdom! #10

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Rocks Like Aliens

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Don’t Attempt to Adjust that Dial…

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Basket #5: KwaZulu-Natal Basket for Women

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Save the Animal Kingdom! #9

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Kids at Cranberry

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