Hyssop: Benefits, Using Tips and Side Effects

Hyssop is a genus of about 10-12 species of herbaceous or semi-woody plants in the family Lamiaceae, native from the Mediterranean east to central Asia. They are aromatic, with erect branched stems up to 60 cm long roofed with fine hairs at the tips. The leaves are narrow oblong and 2-5 cm long. The small blue flowers are borne on the upper part of the branches during the summer. By far the best-known species is the Herb Hyssop, extensively cultivated outside its native area in the Mediterranean. Traditionally, hyssop has been used as a strewing herb, and many of its past healing properties that had been previously dismissed as "superstition" are once again being acknowledged. The seeds are sown in spring and the seedlings planted out 40-50 cm separately. Hyssop can also be propagated from heel cuttings or root division in autumn or spring. Hyssop should be grown in full sun on well-drained soil, and will benefit from infrequent clipping. It is short-lived, and the plants will need to be replaced after every few years.

Hyssop is used a food plant by the larvae of some the Lepidoptera species including Cabbage Moth. Hyssop leaves have a somewhat bitter minty flavor and used in cooking it can be added to soups, salads or meats, although should be used sparingly as the flavor is very strong. Hyssop has medicinal properties, which are listed as including expectorant, relaxes peripheral blood vessels, carminative, promotes sweating, anti-inflammatory, anti-catarrhal, and antispasmodic. It is useful for health It also active constituents are flavonoids, volatile oil, tannins and bitter substance. A strong tea made from the leaves and flowering tops is used in nose, lung and throat congestion and catarrhal complaints, and externally it can be applied to bruises, to reduce the swelling and discoloration. It is an excellent way to get relief and feel better from cough and cold in a natural way. An old English country remedy for cuts and wounds suffered while working in the fields was to apply a poultice of injured hyssop leaves and sugar in order to reduce the risk of tetanus infection. Like other oil it doesn't have adverse effect or any irritation when used on rashes or cuts. An essential oil made from hyssop increases alertness and is a softly relaxing nerve tonic suitable for treating nervous exhaustion, overwork, anxiety and depression. It is highly recommended for people having high stress work as it helps them to relax and eases the stress and strain. Even though hyssop is said to be antagonistic to radishes, and they should not be grown at near places. Hyssop also attracts bees, hoverflies and butterflies, so has a place in the wild garden as well as being useful in controlling pests and encouraging pollination without the use of unnatural methods. Hyssop is sometimes used as an ingredient in eau de Cologne, and in the liqueur Chartreuse. Hyssop is useful in many ways in food medicine health pest control and many more things all is done by natural process by using it no side effect may take place as no chemicals are used in it. Due to its growing popularity and high demand it is easily available in market.

To extract this oil one has to be careful for temperature and atmosphere. Drying can preserve hyssop leaves. They should be harvested on a dry day at the peak of their maturity and when the concentration of active ingredients is highest. They should be dried quickly, away from bright sunlight in order to preserve their aromatic ingredients and stop oxidation of other chemicals. Or else it will spoil whole lot of production. Good air circulation is needed, such as an airing cupboard with the door left open, or a sunny room, aiming for a temperature of 20-32°C. Temperature should be maintained according to season and atmospheric conditions. Hyssop leaves should dry out in about 6 days, any longer and they will begin to discolour and lose their flavor. The dried leaves are stored in clean, dry, labeled airtight containers, and can be kept for 12-18 months. It can be easily stored for long time. Hyssop is highly recommended by doctors since it does not have any side effects.

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