General Description
Hyssop is an evergreen perennial herb native to southern Europe
and central Asia and cultivated in many other regions of the world.
A member of the mint family, hyssop grows to approximately 60 centimeters
in height, with an erect quadrangular stem, which is branched and
shrubby. The leaves of the plant are smooth and lanceolate, dark
green on top and paler underneath. Hyssop flowers from June to October,
bearing whorls of small white, pink, or blue-violet blossoms at
the tops of the branches and stems. The above-ground portions of
the plant are used for culinary and medicinal purposes.
Health Applications
- General tonic
- Cold/flu
- Digestive aid
History and Traditional Use
Hyssop flowers and leaves have long been used as flavoring agents
for foods and beverages, as well as for a variety of medicinal
purposes. The famous 17th century British herbalist Nicholas Culpeper
describes the use of hyssop to treat coughs, sore throats, and
intestinal parasites, as well as topical applications for inflammation
and bruises.1 Hyssop tea is recommended by
traditional herbalists for treatment of poor digestion, breast
and lung problems, nose and throat infections, coughs due to cold,
flatulence, and inflammations.2
Chemical Composition
Hyssop contains a volatile oil, the chief components of which
include pinocamphone, alpha-pinene, and beta-pinene.3
Contemporary Uses
Compounds found in hyssop's volatile oil make it reasonably effective
for treatment of mild irritations of the respiratory tract that
accompany the common cold.4 Germany's Commission
E, while acknowledging the popular use of hyssop to stimulate
circulation and in the treatment of diseases of the respiratory
tract, lists it as an unapproved herb because the effectiveness
for these applications has not been documented.5
In vitro studies indicate that compounds in hyssop exert antiviral
activity against HIV-1;6,7 however, these
effects have not been demonstrated in vivo.
Dosage/Toxicity
A typical daily dosage recommendation is one to two cups of a
decoction made by combining 1 tsp of dried herb to each cup of
water. The herb appears to be safe and free of side effects at
this dosage range. Use of the isolated volatile oil (or long-term
use of the herb) is not recommended because its high pinocamphone
concentration has been known to cause toxic convulsions similar
to epileptic seizures.8-10 |
