The Biblical Antiseptic

I trust that your planning for your spring herb and veggie garden is just about done. If you need some help tweaking your plan, or if you don't know how to start, visit www.gofoodgardening.com.

The Book of Psalms (51:9) says, "Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean." But hyssop does more than cleanse. Contemporary herbalists recommend hyssop compresses and poultices for bruises, burns and wounds, and suggest infusions for colds, coughs, bronchitis, flatulence, indigestion, menstruation promotion, and even epileptic seizures.

In 17th-century Europe, hyssop was a popular air freshener or 'strewing herb.' At a time when people rarely bathed and farm animals often shared human living quarters, crushed leaves and flowers were scattered around homes to mask odours. When bathing became popular and strewing ceased, hyssop was placed in scent baskets in sickrooms.

With its spikes of intense blue flowers (you can also get white and pink varieties) and bushy, compact growth, Hyssop is an attractive herb worth growing for its looks alone, although it's also an important tool in your defence against colds and flu. It likes a sunny position and light well-drained soil and will grow equally well in pots. It grows between 60 and 90cm high, making it a good border plant in a mixed flowerbed or as a low growing hedge. A strong infusion made with the leaves is useful for controlling bacterial plant disease.

As a medicinal herb Hyssop is particularly effective for treating bronchitis and respiratory infections, because of its expectorant action. Both the leaves and flowers can be used, either dried or fresh, in an infusion. The herb's tonic action also encourages recovery - it supports the liver with its detoxifying duties. It is often combined with thyme for bronchial congestion, with peppermint and yarrow for the common cold and with lemon balm for cold sores. It inhibits the growth of the herpes simplex virus, which causes cold sores. I never get cold sores, but an infusion used as a compress, is quite effective for my wife when she's plagued by cold sores. You have to be snappy though. At the first sign of a tinkling, apply the compress. She gets better results when she combines it with lemon balm, and she takes the infusion internally as well. Even add the leftovers to the bath. Quite nice.

Hyssop has a strong camphor-like smell and tastes bitter. When drinking my infusion (when I was still smoking it helped to relieve my smokers cough) I add some honey and/or lemon (both also good cough remedies), or I'll mix it with a herb such as lemon balm to smooth out its bitterness. I also make homemade tincture with Hyssop. I would rather stomach one teaspoon of bitter stuff to a whole cup full.

Don't plant hyssop just because it is such an outstanding garden plant and medicinal herb. It is also a worthy culinary herb. I love the peppery taste, which makes a good addition to thick soups, chunky pasta sauces and casseroles. If you want bees in your garden to help pollinate the food garden, hyssop is a must. It also has the reputation for enhancing the flavour of grapes and increasing the yield of cabbages planted nearby.

I pinch my young plants quite regularly to stimulate a bushy habit. Once I have a nice bush I cut it down to about 10cm once or twice a year. Usually just before flowering time (about September in Pretoria) and then again after flowering time. I usually have to decide on the hyssop's behalf when flowering should stop, as it just carries on. Normally I would cut back again in March. I use the freshly cut hyssop to make tincture (1:2 w/v). It also dries exceptionally well. Remember to store your dried herbs in airtight containers.

A word of Caution: Hyssop in medicinal doses is not recommended during pregnancy or for children. Always consult your health care practitioner when taking herbs in medicinal doses.

Comments

[Flower Essences]

Great post. Thanks for sharing this.

Looking forward to read more from you.

[e procurement software comparison]

I was looking for natural remedies for asthma and bronchitis when I stumbled upon this site. Thank you for all the blogs here. I will definitely bookmark this site. I never knew hyssop can be medicinal. Thank you for all these information. Blessings...