Dried Hyssop

What is dried hyssop? 

Native to southern Europe, hyssop is a bushy perennial that is evergreen. Hyssopus officinalis, a member of the mint family, may be macerated to provide a distinctive taste to liqueurs or used sparingly as a spice. The plant was often hung in houses for protection and has a long history of folklore in ancient Europe. Moreover, people frequently steep and consume the hyssop plant as a hyssop tea infusion or turn it into a syrup.

The Bible says, "Purge me with hyssop, and I will be clean." Hyssop is a sacred plant that has been used for millennia to purify sacred spaces. The term "holy herb" (Hebrew: adobe or ezob) is where its name originates. Evergreen and bushy, hyssop grows 1 to 2 feet (60 to 90 cm) high on a square stem that sports linear leaves and clusters of 6 to 15 blooms per whorl. Originally hailing from southern Europe, gardens across the globe, particularly in milder regions, host this plant. Since hyssop is a member of the mint family, its flavor is similar to mint, which makes it a delicious addition to salads as long as it is used sparingly. People have been hanging hyssop in their houses as a protection against witchcraft and evil eye. Additionally, it has often been grown in cemeteries to screen the deceased from the living. 

How do I use dried hyssop?

Large doses of hyssop or hyssop extract may be harmful to health, although the quantity often found in food seems safe to eat. Generally speaking, most individuals should be able to safely ingest one serving of hyssop tea or the quantity of hyssop included in spices.

Dried hyssop benefits:

Hyssop has long been used as a digestive aid. It contains essential oils, such as isopinocamphone and pinocamphone, which support the normal operation of the gastrointestinal system and may help relieve digestive problems. People sometimes use oils infused with hyssop to treat bloating or dyspepsia.

◉ Reduced Risk of Ulcers: Numerous substances may lead to ulcer formation, but two in particular are known to do so: urease and α-chymotrypsin. According to studies, hyssop extracts seem to block these compounds, preventing ulcer formation. You may be able to lower your chance of getting painful stomach ulcers by including small quantities of hyssop in your diet.

◉ May Help with Asthma: The traditional usage of hyssop to treat head colds and asthma symptoms may really be effective, according to much research. According to this research, hyssop is one of the most potent natural remedies for treating asthma symptoms when compared to other herbal and non-herbal treatments. This might be because pinocamphone, a mildly poisonous compound related to camphor that helps expand airways, is present in hyssop. On the other hand, always take your recommended drugs first in case of an asthma attack.

◉ Respiratory Conditions: As an expectorant and antispasmodic herb, hyssop aids in cough suppression and phlegm removal from the lungs. The active component, marrubiin, which has been shown to release mucus and facilitate coughing, gives it its expectorant properties.

A 2019 double-blind trial on 46 kids looked at the effects of an herbal concoction that included hyssop on intermittent asthma along with chamomile, marshmallow root, malva, licorice, jujube date, and maidenhair fern. The kids received either the herbal combination or a placebo for five days, starting when their cold symptoms appeared. Research demonstrated that the herbal mixture reduced coughing, nighttime awakenings, and the onset of viral respiratory tract infections.

Hyssop is a great herb for relieving the congested head that often comes with a cold due to its fresh, minty qualities. A common recipe calls for combining hyssop, honey, and apple cider vinegar to make hyssop oxymel. You may make your own cough syrup and cold/flu cure with this.

◉ Digestive Health: By boosting the production of bile, stomach acid, and digestive enzymes, hyssop is believed to aid with digestion. The secret to optimal health is a healthy digestive system. Here, nutrients are either absorbed or eliminated, and the food we consume is transformed into the vital energy needed to keep our bodies functioning.

Hyssop increases the absorption of nutrients by inducing the synthesis of essential chemicals required for a healthy digestive system. Flatulence and cramping in the stomach may also be effectively relieved by hyssop's antispasmodic qualities.

Where can I buy dried hyssop?

Buy dried hyssop from the health food store in the USA, Alive Herbals.

Dried Hyssop information (at a glance):