Description
Hyssop is a perennial mint family herb that is not hardy in northern climates and can be considered an annual. Hyssop was a popular hedge plant in Tudor times, and it was frequently utilized in the creation of knotted gardens. It was prized for its smell, flavor, and medicinal properties back then. However, Hyssop’s most famous claim to fame is that it is frequently mentioned in the Bible, where its purifying powers are extolled. However, there are differing viewpoints on the biblical Hyssop’s exact identity. Some experts believe there was a mistranslation of the words ‘azob’ (Greek) or ‘azaf’ (Arab), both of which simply mean ‘Holy Herb,’ but which became associated with Hyssop in the English translation. Theological disagreements are raging. Other legends abound, such as the one that Hyssop was the sacred herb used to give the vinegar-soaked sponge to Christ at the crucifixion. Regardless of whether or not it is the biblical herb cherished by the ancients, Hyssop is a potent and valuable therapeutic plant in its own right.
Beyond its magical properties, Hyssop is very useful for treating upper respiratory disorders, such as opening a tight chest and making a cough more productive. It is a pulmonary tonic that can be used to treat asthma, pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, and other illnesses where deep-seated and difficult-to-expel phlegm is present. Hyssop loosens and liquefies the phlegm, making it easier to remove. It is stimulating for the liver, according to Hildegard of Bingen, and it is used nearly as a vegetable to aid the liver and stomach. Externally, it’s occasionally used as an eczema wash and as a rheumatic joint treatment. The essential oil of Hyssop, which can be used medicinally for the same purposes, contains the majority of its power.
