Hyssop Essential Oil

Hyssop

Hyssop Hyssopus officinalisis a small perennial plant, of the mint family about 0.60 cm high with slim, woody quadrangular stems and narrow, elliptical, dotted leaves, about 2 to 3 cm (0.8 to 1.2 inches) long and less than 1 cm wide, that grow in pairs on the stem. Long, leafy, half-whorled spikes of little flowers (coloured violet-blue, pink, red, or white) blossom from June to September. The scented flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Hyssop has a long history of medicinal use and was so highly esteemed in the past that it was considered to be a virtual cure-all. A native of the area ranging from southern Europe eastward to Central Asia, hyssop has become naturalized in North America, it is now commercially cultivated in Europe, Russia and India. There is no evidence that hyssopus officinalis has ever been native to Palestine, and the Biblical references, of Ezov, do not refer to this herb but probably to a form of wild marjoram or oregano, possibly origanum syriacum. Nevertheless Hyssop still has an ancient history, which does go back to biblical times or earlier, used for flavouring for foods and beverages, and it was used medicinally, for purifying sacred places, employed as a ‘strewing herb’, and in more modern time for flavouring meats, fish, vegetables, salads, sweets, and such liqueurs as absinthe and chartreuse. Not to be confused with the hedge hyssop which comprises herbs of the genus Gratiola, belonging to the Scrophulariaceae family, that are native to marshy lands throughout Eurasia and North America. Gratiola officinalis, of Europe, has cylindrical stems and leaves twice the size of those of true hyssop. Its flowers are solitary and located in the axils of the leaves. The herb is almost odourless but has a bitter, nauseous taste. Small quantities taken internally act as a purgative, diuretic, and emetic. In Switzerland it grows abundantly in damp pastures and is dangerous to cattle. Currently an undervalued medicinal herb, hyssop is potentially useful as it is both calming and tonic. It has a large spectrum of uses, due to its anti-spasmodic action. It is used in coughs, bronchitis, tight-chestedness, respiratory catarrh, sore throat and common cold. As a sedative, hyssop is a useful remedy against asthma in both children and adults, especially where the condition is exacerbated by mucus congestion. In folk medicine, hyssop tea or garle is taken as an expectorant, and also to relieve colds, coughs, horseness and sore throats. Hyssop is a carminative, meaning that it aids digestion and helps to relieve gas. Some claim that it speeds the digestion of fat, and recommend drinking hyssop tea with fatty meats or fish.

The essential oil is steam distilled from the leaves and flowering tops, it produces an oil which is colourless to pale yellow green in colour with a sweet, camphor, herbal scent, almost medicinal. The essential oil is mainly produced in central Europe. Much of the oil is used in perfumery and alcoholic beverages, but it does have an important role to play in modern aromatherapy. The therapeutic properties of Hyssop oil are as an anti-rheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cicatrizant, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, nervine, sedative, stimulant, tonic and as a vulnerary. Hyssop is known to help ease sore throats caused by sinus issues. Some authorities believe it can relieve bronchial spasms and thus might be helpful for asthma attacks. It has been used to regulate the blood pressure as a general nerve tonic, and for states of anxiety or hysteria. Expectorant, diaphoretic, stimulant, pectoral, carminative. The healing virtues of the plant are due to a particular volatile oil, which is stimulative, carminative and sudorific. It is said to admirably promote expectoration, and in chronic catarrh its diaphoretic and stimulant properties combine to render it of especial value. It was usually given as a warm infusion, taken frequently and mixed with Horehound. Adulteration:   GRAS Status: Properties, Indications and Uses: Properties: () Indicated for: () Uses: () Toxicity: LD50 - (oral) rat 1.4g/kg; (dermal) rabbit >g/kg. Irritation/Sensitisation - not known Phototoxicity - Nil reported Perfumery Uses:

Hyssop Essential Oil from