Hyssop

January 4, 2004

It is my understanding that the fresh plant is best because much of

the active constituents go away as the plant dries. I believe the

flowers are most often used. I put hyssop in a cold remedy once and I

know it is also used for anxiety and high blood pressure. The root

isn't used, just the above ground parts. I know that people tincture

the fresh above ground parts to preserve the medicinal properties. As

for me, I know fresh is best but I bought the dried herb at my local

Apotheke (apothecary). I put it in a tea blend for colds. It seemed

to work just fine so I am sure that not all of the good stuff goes

away when it is dried.

herbal remedies , " victoriameetze "

<victoriameetze> wrote:

> I have rubbed off (a little) at my house and my mother is curious

> about the properties of HYSSOP. I read the files but was wondering

> how EXACTLY you use the parts of the plant. I have a cooking herb

> encyclopedia but I was more curious about the cleansng and other

> properties.

January 4, 2004

Hyssop will soothe colic, improve digestion and eliminate flatulence. It is an excellent nerve tonic, It is recommended for coughs, colds, flu, and as a gargle for sore throats.

Prepare a compress from a tincture or a poultice from leaves to treat bruises and rheumatism.

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January 4, 2004

I forgot to say:

It is great for colds and dealing with mucous, as well as for anxiety

and the nerves. It is a good source of calcium, but I am not sure how

much of the calcium comes out in tincture form. If you have the fresh

leaves and flowers you can toss some of that into salads. It is great

for asthmatics and also for the stomach (I believe suzie mentioned

colic, and I believe some people also use it to tone the stomach

muscles). Used externally it is wonderful for rheumatic problems.

herbal remedies , " k_huether77 "

<k_huether77> wrote:

> It is my understanding that the fresh plant is best because much of

> the active constituents go away as the plant dries. I believe the

> flowers are most often used. I put hyssop in a cold remedy once and

I

> know it is also used for anxiety and high blood pressure. The root

> isn't used, just the above ground parts. I know that people

tincture

> the fresh above ground parts to preserve the medicinal properties.

As

> for me, I know fresh is best but I bought the dried herb at my

local

> Apotheke (apothecary). I put it in a tea blend for colds. It seemed

> to work just fine so I am sure that not all of the good stuff goes

> away when it is dried.

>

> herbal remedies , " victoriameetze "

> <victoriameetze> wrote:

> > I have rubbed off (a little) at my house and my mother is curious

> > about the properties of HYSSOP. I read the files but was

wondering

> > how EXACTLY you use the parts of the plant. I have a cooking

herb

> > encyclopedia but I was more curious about the cleansng and other

> > properties.

January 4, 2004

You can make an infusion of the aerial parts for colds and flu, and digestive upsets. Or a tincture of the aerial parts (combined with other expectorant herbs like licorice, elecampane, or anise) for bronchitis and stubborn coughs. Or a syrup for coughs made of either the aerial parts or the flowers.

Carrie Ann

"No great artist ever sees things as they really are. If he did, he would cease to be an artist." -Oscar Wilde

mv*lw!

>"victoriameetze" >herbal remedies >herbal remedies >[herbal remedies] HYSSOP >Sun, 04 Jan 2004 07:41:49 -0000 > >I have rubbed off (a little) at my house and my mother is curious >about the properties of HYSSOP. I read the files but was wondering >how EXACTLY you use the parts of the plant. I have a cooking herb >encyclopedia but I was more curious about the cleansng and other >properties. > Get reliable dial-up Internet access now with our limited-time introductory offer.

January 21, 2005

Hyssop- (Hyssopus officinalis) (LINN.) JoAnn Guest Jan 19, 2005 21:08 PST Family: N.O. Labiatae Medicinal Action and Uses

Recipe for Hyssop Tea ---Part Used---Herb. http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/h/hyssop48.html#rec --

Hyssop is a name of Greek origin. The Hyssopos of Dioscorides was named from azob (a holy herb), because it was used for cleaning sacred places. It is alluded to in the Scriptures: 'Purge me with Hyssop, and I shall be clean.'

Hyssop is cultivated for the use of its flower-tops, which are steeped in water to make an infusion, which is sometimes employed as an expectorant.

There are three varieties, known respectively by their blue, red and white flowers, which are in bloom from June to October, and are sometimes employed as edging plants. Grown with catmint, it makes a lovely border, backed with Lavender and Rosemary.

As a kitchen herb, it is mostly used for broths and decoctions, occasionally for salad. For medicinal use the flower-tops should be cut in August.

It may be propagated by seeds, sown in April, or by dividing the plants in spring and autumn, or by cuttings, made in spring and inserted in a shady situation. Plants raised from seeds or cuttings, should, when large enough, be planted out about 1 foot apart each way, and kept watered till established. They succeed best in a warm aspect and in a light, rather dry soil. The plants require cutting in, occasionally, but do not need much further attention.

---Medicinal Action and Uses---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 admirably promotes expectoration, and in chronic catarrh its diaphoretic and stimulant properties combine to render it of especial value.

It is usually given as a warm infusion, taken frequently and mixed with Horehound. Hyssop Tea is also a grateful drink, well adapted to improve the tone of a feeble stomach, being brewed with the green tops of the herb, which are sometimes boiled in soup to be given for asthma.

In America, an infusion of the leaves is used externally for the relief of muscular rheumatism, and also for bruises and discoloured contusions, and the green herb, bruised and applied, will heal cuts promptly.

The infusion has an agreeable flavour and is used by herbalists in pulmonary diseases.

It was once much employed as a carminative in flatulence and hysterical complaints, but is now seldom employed.

A tea made with the fresh green tops, and drunk several times daily, is one of the oldfashioned country remedies for rheumatism that is still employed. Hyssop baths have also been recommended as part of the cure, but the quantity used would need to be considerable.

---Preparation---Fluid extract, 30 to 60 drops. The Hyssop of commerce (Hyssopus officinalis) occurs in Palestine, but is not conspicuous among the numerous Labiatae of the Syrian hillsides, which include thyme and marjoram, mint, rosemary and lavender. Tradition identifies the Hyssop of Scripture with the familiar herb, Marjoram (origanum), of which six species are found in the Holy Land. The common kind, so well known in cottage gardens (O. vulgare), grows only in the north, but an allied species (O. maru) abounds through the central hills, and a variety is common in the southern desert.

Dr. J. F. Royle disagrees, and identifies the Hyssop of the Bible with the Caper-plant (Capparis spinosa) which grows in the Jordan Valley, in Egypt, and the Desert, in the gorges of Lebanon, and in the Kedron Valley. It 'springs out of the walls' of the old Temple area. This view is supported by Canon Tristram and others. The Arabs call it azaf.

The leaves, stems and flowers of H. officinalis possess a highly aromatic odour and yield by distillation an essential oil of exceedingly fine odour, much appreciated by perfumers, its value being even greater than Oil of Lavender.

It is also much employed in the manufacture of liqueurs, forming an important constituent in Chartreuse. Bees feed freely on the plant and the odour of the honey obtained from this source is remarkably good.

The leaves are used locally as a medicinal tea. As a kitchen herb it has gone out of use because of its strong flavour, but on account of its aroma it was formerly employed as a strewing herb.

--

RECIPE FOR HYSSOP TEA 'Infuse a quarter of an ounce of dried hyssop flowers in a pint of boiling water for ten minutes; sweeten with raw honey, and take a wineglassful three times a day, for debility of the chest. It is also considered a powerful vermifuge.' (Old Cookery Book.)

Diana Gonzalez

Nothing wastes more energy than worrying - the longer a problem is carried, the heavier it gets. Don't take things too seriously - live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.

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