HYSSOP

Latin name : Hyssopus officinalis

Family : Labiatae / Lamiaceae

Folk names : Hyssop herb, Isopo, Ysopo, Yssop.

Actions: Astringent, anti-spasmodic, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-catarrhal, expectorant, carminative, diaphoretic, sedative, stomachic.

Parts used: Leaves and flowers.

Constituents: Volatile oil (up to 2% comprising mainly pinocamphone, isopinocamphone, pinenes, camphene, terpene and 50 other compounds), glycoside (hyssopin), tannin (up to 8%), flavonoids, insolic acid, oleonolic acid, marrubiin (bitter), resin, gum, diosmin.

Uses: Primarily used in chest complaints, and any respiratory disorders e.g. colds, flu, bronchitis. This is because of its anti-inflammatory , anti viral and expectorant properties. The essential oil (very expensive) is good for nervous exhaustion, grief and melancholy. A syrup of hyssop is great for coughs especially combined with mullein and licorice. Externally applied as a compress or poultice, hyssop is good for bruises, burns or wounds. As an anti-viral, hyssop inhibits the growth of the herpes simplex virus for both genital herpes and cold sores.

Caution - small doses.