Hyssop

Already Dioscorides, in the first century, spoke of hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) as a well-known plant, common in the mountainous area of ​​Cilicia, in Turkey, which was drunk with figs, honey and water to reduce inflammation of the lungs, against asthma, cough and sputum.

The hyssop is an aromatic plant, related to sage and lavender, which grows in meadows and pastures in mountain areas of the Pyrenees and the Iberian system. It has an erect, slightly branched stem, linear leaves and blue flowers, grouped in a spiked inflorescence.

It flowers from mid-summer to autumn, and the flowering tops are harvested for medicinal purposes, which are widely used as natural flavorings, to repel insects, and as a cooking seasoning in soups, stews, and salads.

The hyssop is presented as a dry plant for infusion and decoction, tincture, cough syrup, liquid extract, distilled hyssop water, essential oil, capsules, oleates and suppositories.

Medicinal properties of hyssop

The hyssop contains a very active essential oil, rich in thujone and pinocamphone, phenolic acids (caffeic and rosmarinic), ursolic and oleanolic acids, bitter principles such as marrubiin, choline and tannins. All this gives this plant expectorant, antiasthmatic, antitussive, diaphoretic, antispasmodic, antiseptic, digestive and carminative properties.

Herbalists indicate it mainly as Pulmonary decongestant in case of flu with a lot of mucus, in mild or moderate asthmatic attacks, bronchitis, respiratory allergies with rhinitis, in sinusitis and pharyngitis with coughing fits.

By external routethe essential oil and also the infusion have been used on minor burnsand to disinfect and clean superficial wounds

herbalist recipes

Massages with essential oil: Hyssop essential oil is highly valued in aromatherapy and is applied externally to spread the chest in people affected by congestion. How to prepare the oil: 30 g of hyssop oil are added to 100 ml of sweet almond oil or similar.

Hyssop tincture for asthma: It is recommended only in adults. Take 50-60 drops daily, in three doses, dissolved in juice or water.

simple infusion of hyssop: Or combined with lemon balm and fennel, it is indicated in case of loss of appetite and digestive disorders, as well as to avoid gases, meteorisms and flatulence.

Infusion to relieve bronchitis: Experts recommend a mixed formula that combines hyssop with buds of Scots pine, violet and poppy in equal parts. How to prepare it: Add a tablespoon of this mixture for every cup of water. Boil in a saucepan for 1 minute and let it rest for another 10. This infusion can be taken several times a day, on an empty stomach, and something hot, although without exceeding it.

Precautions and contraindications

The essential oil should not be applied to children under six years of age or to pregnant and lactating women. Internally, it should only be taken under medical supervision, and in any case, high doses should be avoided, which could cause slight convulsions.

Jordi Cebrian. Advisor: J Mª Teixé, herbalist at “El Manantial de Salud”