Repost of: Hyssop Varieties Question

[Guest guest]

I didn't receive a response to the question below. I really hope

someone can point me in the right direction. Thanks so much!

 

Hello all,

 

 

I notice that there seem to be two varieties (maybe more I don't

know) with the following names:

 

* Hyssopus Officinalis

 

* Hyssopus Decumbens

 

What is the difference? Why would a person use one for diffusing

rather than the other?

 

Thanks for your thoughts on this.

 

Mike

[Guest guest]

mperry000 wrote:

 

>

>I didn't receive a response to the question below. I really hope

>someone can point me in the right direction. Thanks so much!

>

>Hello all,

>

>

>I notice that there seem to be two varieties (maybe more I don't

>know) with the following names:

>

>* Hyssopus Officinalis

>

>* Hyssopus Decumbens

>

>

 

Hi Mike,

 

I will be short in this reply ( it was late yesterday after my

conference in Marseille...3 hours from home).

There are different forms (chemotypes) of the essential oil of hysop

available.

Not as much as for instance the thyme family.

 

The analyse of those different hysops show us the following:

 

-Hysope officinalis, let's say the standard hysop:

 

two important components hace a major impact:

Isopinocamphone : in general around 30/34 percent

Pinocamphone: in general around 20/23 percent

 

That makes together more than 50 percent of components that have some

neurotoxic properties.

This is the reason why this oil should be handled with care and is in

general not safe for young childeren

and some people.

It has a strong action however and can be used (with precaution) in

cases of severe bronchitis.

 

-Hysope " decumbens " , so called by Franchomme.

My research showed a problem: the real botanicall name should be " Hysop

montana canescens "

It's profile is completely different: it's a high linalol oil ( more

than 50 percent).

The total amount of Isopinocamphone and Pinocamphone are maximum 3 percent.

This oil, that I use since long years has marvelous properties,

specially with very young children, suffering

from bronchiolitis, also elderly people, up to people with severe

bronchial lesions , or using oxygene.

Main use: pure or in a synergie in a nebulizer.

It's antiasthma properties are excellent.

Formerly an oil hidden by some distillers for just some clients it tends

to become better available, more

people are cultivating it here in France.

 

-Hysop officinalis chemotype cineol:

 

another chemotype of hysop, with aprox. 49/50 percent of 1,8 cineol.

As with the hysop montana canescens, the total amount of Pinocamphone

and Isopinocamphone are lower than 3 percent.

This hysope form can be used in nebulizers pure or associated with other

respiration-friendly oils but misses the softness of the

montana type.

 

The French legislator knows only the first type, so they banned the use

of all hysope oils, only pharmacy can legally sell it here

:-(

 

Just some facts,

 

Michel Vanhove