Hyssop

Scientific Name(S): Hyssopus officinalis L. Family: Labiatae

Common Name(S): Hyssop. It should be noted that there are a number of other common plants found in North America that go by a variation of the name "hyssop." These include giant hyssop (Agastache sp.), hedge hyssop (Gratiola officinalis L.), and water hyssop (Bacopa sp.); none of these plants are members of the genus Hyssopus, nor are they all members of the Family: Labiatae.

Hyssop is among the oldest of medicinal herbs. Its healing powers are extolled in the Bible--"Purge me with Hyssop and I shall be clean"--and its name is derived from the ancient Greek for "holy herb."

Today Hyssop is still to be found in the liqueur Chartreuse, although its strong flavor obviates frequent use in cooking. Honey produced by Hyssop-fed bees is considered particularly good.

Botany: Hyssop is a perennial plant which is native to the Mediterranean region and has been imported to and naturalized in the United States and Canada. It grows along roadsides and is sometimes found as a garden herb. Its thin pointed leaves extend onto a central herbaceous stem that is sessile in form. The tubular flowers grow from the upper leafaxils and bloom small blue flowers from July to October. The fruit contains four "nutlets," each having one seed. Hyssop is quite similar in appearance to other members of the mint family. It grows to about 2 feet. Its volatile oil imparts a highly aromatic camphor-like smell.

History: Hyssop has been noted for centuries in herbal medicine. In addition, there are a number of references in the Bible to plants called "hyssop," although there is considerable controversy regarding the actual identity of these plants. There is little evidence that the plant mentioned in Bible was actually "H. officinalis."

Although an extract of the leaves has been suggested for the treatment of wounds, there does not appear to be strong evidence for its effectiveness as an antibacterial.

Uses of Hyssop

Hyssop is used as flavoring, fragrance, insecticide, insect repellent and cough and cold treatment.

The expectorant action of hyssop's volatile oil may partially explain its traditional use for coughs , asthma , and bronchitis

Culinary Uses

Leaves have a slightly bitter, minty taste. They should be used sparingly in salad. A few leaves can be used in savory dishes such as rich stews and in marinades. Flowers can be used as an attractive garnish and in salads.

Side Effects of Hyssop

The essential oils have produced fatal convulsions in rats.

The herb is not recommended during pregnancy .

Dosage

Hyssop may be taken as a tea or tincture. The tea is prepared by infusing 2-3 teaspoons of herb in one cup (250 ml) of hot water for ten to fifteen minutes. Three cups can be drunk per day. Alternatively, 1-4 ml of tincture can be taken three times per day. If hyssop is being used to help soothe a sore throat , gargle with the tea or tincture before swallowing. The essential oil should never be used at a level higher than 1-2 drops per day internally, though more can be used topically on unbroken skin. One teaspoon (5 grams) of hyssop herb steeped in 1 cup (250 ml) hot water in a closed vessel for 15-20 minutes, then given in sips from a bottle over a period of 2-3 hours, may help calm colic .

Toxicology: Hyssop is classified among plants "generally recognized as safe (GRAS)" by the FDA; however, three recent studies demonstrate convulsant actions associated with the plant's use in rats. Commercial preparations of hyssop essential oils produced convulsions in rats at 0.13 g/kg and death at 1.25 g/kg.The neurotoxicity of hyssop appears to be related to two terpene ketones: Pinocamphone and isopinocamphone. In a similar study, IP injections of hyssop essential oil, ranging from 200 mcl/kg to 4 mcl/kg, produced a generalized crisis in rats that led from convulsions to death. The authors concluded that hyssop essential oils are not as safe as most people believe. The convulsions were later determined, by electnlcortical evidence, to be of CNS origin.

Summary: Hyssop represents a useful herbal compound. It is used commercially as a flavoring agent and as an ingredient in cough and cold preparations. It appears to exert its demulcent and expectorant effects through the action of its volatile oil. However, it must be used with caution because of its convulsive effects.

More studies are needed to verify the reported antiviral therapeutic efficacy which may be of use in HIV infected patients.