Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) is a name of Greek origin. The plant is a native of the Southern Mediterranean and the Middle East.

The Hyssopos of Dioscorides was named from azob (a holy herb), because it was used for cleaning sacred places. It is alluded to in Christian Scripture: ‘Purge me with Hyssop, and I shall be clean.’

Traditional Uses of Hyssop:-

Hyssop is an 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 real value. It is usually given as a warm infusion, taken frequently and mixed with Horehound.

Tea made from the herb is also a well tried remedial drink which will improve a weak stomach. It is brewed with the green tops of the herb, which are sometimes boiled in soup and also taken for asthma.

In the USA, 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 from Hyssop, drunk several times daily, is one of the old fashioned 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.