The medicinal herb hyssop has been widely used in folk medicine for many years. It is mentioned many times in the Bible. The homeland is considered to be the countries of the Mediterranean. Another name is blue St. John's wort.
This plant is a semi-shrub and belongs to the family of labia. The stems reach half a meter in height and are strongly branched. The leaves are almost sessile and arranged oppositely. Flowering is observed from June to the end of September. Inflorescences can be white, pink, purple or dark blue, depending on the cultivar.
How to prepare
First of all, it is worth noting that hyssop grass grows in Russia, the countries of the Mediterranean Sea and Central Asia, preferring well-lit open areas with sufficient soil drainage. Currently, more and more often the plant is found among the herbs of the pharmaceutical gardens of experienced gardeners and is used by them as a spice. It has a pleasant aroma, reminiscent of a mixture of sage and ginger, and has a slightly bitter taste.
Hyssop herb is also used for medicinal purposes. It contains about 1% essentialoils, as well as tannins, organic acids (such as oleanolic and ursolic), flavonoids and tannins.
The collection of blue St. John's wort is carried out during the flowering period, only the tops of the shoots are cut off. Then they are dried, laying out in shady places in the fresh air or in rooms with good air circulation. After that, bundles are formed and stored in a suspended position. Ready-made grass can be purchased at the pharmacy.
Dose forms
Hyssop officinalis herb is used to make infusions. To apply the infusion inside, pour a tablespoon of dried raw materials with hot water (200-250 ml) and insist in a water bath for half an hour. Then the infusion is filtered and the liquid is brought to its original volume.
Outwardly, hyssop herb is suitable for making compresses, as well as washing and rinsing. Then, for infusion, take two teaspoons of dried shoots for one glass of water.
Alcohol tincture for rinsing is prepared from 20 g of dried hyssop. It is poured with vodka (100-120 ml) and left for one week without access to light. Filtered with gauze.
Medical applications
Hyssop herb is recommended by herbalists for diseases of the respiratory system such as asthma, bronchitis or colds. Infusion as an expectorant is drunk 3 times a day for half a glass. With various disorders of the digestive system (flatulence, constipation) and inflammatoryprocesses in it (for example, in chronic colitis), the infusion is taken at a dose of 100 ml before meals three times a day. Hyssop has antispasmodic properties and soothes stomach cramps. Its use as an anthelmintic is quite common in folk medicine.
Many doctors consider this plant indispensable in the treatment of conjunctivitis, stomatitis, bruises or wounds, eczema, remembering the antiseptic and bactericidal properties of the herb. Hyssop in the form of tincture for rinsing is diluted in warm water at the rate of a teaspoon per glass.
Since blue St. John's wort can increase blood pressure, it is used to treat angina pectoris. They are also used for neurosis, anemia, fungal infections and rheumatism.
Infusion of hyssop from belching
With various errors in the work of the gastrointestinal tract, a symptom of regular belching is possible. This is nothing more than a waste of gases from the stomach through the esophagus and oral cavity. There is a fairly simple method to get rid of this unpleasant process.
For infusion, hyssop grass (100 g) is poured with Cahors (2 l) and placed in a shaded place for 10-14 days. The container with the contents during this period is periodically mixed or shaken. Then put the mixture in a water bath and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
When the infusion cools, it is filtered. Take 50 ml three times a day about half an hour before meals. Sips should be made small, retaining liquid in the mouth.
Contraindications for usehyssop
When using the plant, remember that it is a slightly poisonous plant. If the dosages recommended by the doctor are exceeded, convulsions may occur, a sharp drop in blood pressure and, as a result, an increase in heart rate are likely.
It is strictly forbidden to use blue St. John's wort with increased nervous excitability (for example, with epilepsy), as well as pregnant and lactating women, children under the age of two years. For the elderly, doctors reduce the dosage.
Other uses of the plant
Thanks to the essential oil contained in the shoots, hyssop is often found in perfumery and cooking. Soups, salads, vegetable and meat dishes, sausages and fruit refreshing drinks are prepared with it. As a spice, it is great for marinades when pickling tomatoes and cucumbers. The plant is also used in the production of liqueurs and absinthe.
Hyssop is fairly unpretentious and fast growing, making it a great addition to informal, natural-style flower beds. Experienced gardeners manage to form hedges from it for landscape zoning of the site.
Among other things, hyssop officinalis is one of the best honey plants and will definitely attract bees to collect nectar and pollinate plants in the garden. A long flowering period will fill the air with a pleasant spicy aroma for almost the entire summer season.
The healing properties of hyssop have always attracted people's attention to this plant. Its application is really very wide, and the minimum requirements forcultivation allows it to take its rightful place in the list of the best spicy herbs.
