| The hyssop plant is a genus of about ten to | | | | applied directly to a wound to stop infection and |
| twelve species of herbaceous or semi-woody | | | | promote healing. Hyssop is generally found in a |
| plants in the Lamiaceae family. These plants are | | | | combination with other herbs. |
| native to the east Mediterranean and to central | | | | This herb is a member of the mint family. It is |
| Asia. They are aromatic and have erect branched | | | | believed to aid in digestion and also help relieve |
| stems up to 60 centimeters in length and | | | | gas. History has a long history of use as a body |
| covered with fine hairs at the tips. The leaves are | | | | purifier. The herb is able to strengthen the |
| about two to five centimeters long. The plant | | | | immune system. It also works as a blood |
| possesses small blue flowers that grow on the | | | | pressure regulator. Some of the volatile oils that |
| upper part of the branches during the summer. | | | | are found in hyssop may actually be responsible |
| Hyssop tea was used in ancient Babylon to | | | | for its use in treating sore throats and also as an |
| reduce fever and for sore throats, colds, lung | | | | expectorant. Hyssop is thought to be effective |
| infections, and eye infections. Hyssop was | | | | for mild irritations. The herb has also been studied |
| recommended by Hippocrates for pleurisy. The | | | | for the treatment of herpes simplex virus. It has |
| word hyssop is of Greek origin, and means "holy | | | | been found to inhibit the growth of the virus. This |
| herb." The Bible even contains references to | | | | can be attributed most likely to the tannin |
| hyssop, but the actual identity of the plant is in | | | | content. |
| question. More than two thousand years ago, | | | | The entire hyssop herb is used to provide |
| Jewish priests used hyssop to cleanse the temple. | | | | carminative, diaphoretic, expectorant, febrifuge, |
| Hyssop was also used to reduce perspiration and | | | | galactagogue, pectoral, and stimulant properties. |
| to treat dropsy and jaundice during the | | | | The primary nutrients found in this herb are |
| seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Colonists | | | | Diosmine, flavonoids, marrubin, and tannins. |
| brought hyssop to the New World, using it to | | | | Primarily, hyssop is extremely beneficial in dealing |
| treat colds and chest congestion. | | | | with congestion, coughs, hay fever, absent |
| This herb is most often used for lung ailments | | | | lactation, lung ailments, excessive mucus, phlegm, |
| and fevers. Hyssop is extremely useful in lung | | | | wheezing, and worms. |
| disorders. Among these include bronchitis, chest | | | | Additionally, this herb is very helpful in treating |
| congestion, hay fever, tuberculosis, and asthma. | | | | asthma, high blood pressure, bronchitis, bruises, |
| The herb also helps relax and expel phlegm from | | | | intestinal catarrh, cuts, ear ailments, edema, |
| the lungs and relieve coughing. Hyssop helps | | | | epilepsy, fevers, hoarseness, jaundice, kidney |
| promote sweating, which expels toxins through | | | | problems, lice, sore throat, and spleen ailments. In |
| the skin. The leaves of the plant grow a mold | | | | order to obtain additional information on the many |
| which produces penicillin and may contribute to the | | | | beneficial effects provided by hyssop, please feel |
| herb's healing abilities. Hyssop also contains | | | | free to contact a representative from your local |
| essential oils that can help build resistance to | | | | health food store with questions. |
| infectious disease. The leaves of hyssop can be | | | | |