Hyssop is a perennial, herbaceous plant native to the East Mediterranean region and Central Asia known scientifically as Hyssop officinalis.
It is an aromatic herb of the mint family Lamiaceae and can grow to about 18 inches tall. It has a quadrangular stem that is woody at the base from which several straight branches grow. Its dark green leaves grow in pairs and are slender, elliptical, speckled, and can grow to an average length of .8 to 1.2 inches and width of less than 1 centimeter. Long and leafy spikes of tiny flowers bloom from June to September, which may come in pink, red, or blue-violet varieties.
Hyssop Top Health Benefits:
- Diuretic
- Antiseptic
- Antioxidant
- Emenagogue
- Digestive
- Antispasmodic
- Astringent
- Carminative
- Cicatrisant
- Antiviral
- Expectorant
- Fibrefuge
- Pain reliever
- Nervine
- Sudorific
- Anti-inflammatory
- Stimulant
- Treats hypotension
- Cures sore throat
Hyssop’s strong diuretic properties can help detoxify your body by removing excess fats, water, and sodium through the urinary system. The herb is a useful supplemental food for hyperglycemia, accelerates purification process by increasing urine output and frequency of urination. Hyssop also has the added benefits of lowering blood pressure, promoting cardiac health, aiding digestion, and reducing the formation of gas.
Hyssop’s antiseptic properties help prevent infections from abrasions, cuts, or wounds, and it can help combat tetanus as well. Its excellent anti-microbial abilities hasten the healing of scratches and skin injuries.
Women who regularly consume hyssop benefit from its ability to regularize menstruation and relieve pre-menstrual syndrome. Its potent emenagogue properties alleviate painful, erratic, obstructed or physically-draining menstrual periods. Moreover, hyssop helps overcome related symptoms like headache, nausea, lower abdominal pain, appetite loss, fatigue, and mood swings.
With its potent carminative properties, Hyssop can help inhibit gas formation in the gastro-intestinal tract, making it more efficient in expelling waste. Besides alleviating flatulence, it can relieve uneasiness or heaviness in the stomach, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, stomach ache and appetite loss.
As an astringent, Hyssop causes the blood vessels, gums, abdomen, muscles, intestines, skin, limbs, and tissues to contract. By stimulating the contraction of the blood vessels, Hyssop can also inhibit several signs of aging like wrinkles, fine lines, sagging skin, and loose muscles. It is also effective in preventing hemorrhage and teeth loss.
Hyssop officinalis extracts have been shown to have an antiviral effect on the HIV virus.
Hyssop helps improve and promote good blood circulation, which is why it can greatly help in treating various diseases like arthritis, rheumatism, gout, and swelling.
Hyssop stimulates the secretion of digestive juices and enzymes into the stomach to facilitate the breakdown of complex carbohydrates, proteins, and other substances as well as optimize the absorption of these nutrients; this means you will actually get more nourishment from the foods you eat. It is also beneficial in the prevention of digestive disorders like constipation.
Its antispasmodic properties alleviate spasms in the nervous and respiratory systems, as well as reduce muscular and intestinal spasms. Thus, it is beneficial in treating spasmodic coughs, convulsions, cramps, abdominal pain, and spasmodic cholera.
For overall health, wellness, youthful looks and beauty the right dose of Hyssop is the ancient secret that have been passed on and tested by generations of happy and healthy practitioners of herbal remedies.
Where do I find hyssop is it available in cape town and by health shops
I always was interested in the use of hyssop from a Biblical perspective. Now I see why!
Thanks for the information given. I will likely try it in the near future.
Regards