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Hyssop Herb - Uses And Side Effects

Hyssop is an evergreen, bushy herb, growing 1 to 2 feet high, with square stem, linear leaves and flowers in whorls, six- to fifteen-flowered. Is a native of Southern Europe not indigenous to Britain, though stated to be naturalized on the ruins of Beaulieu Abbey in the New Forest. Hyssop is cultivated for the use of its flower-tops, which are steeped in water to make an infusion, which is sometimes employed as an expectorant.

Hyssop comes from Hyssopus officinalis, a plant of the family that has aromatic leaves and clusters of blue flowers. Many French liqueurs, including Chartreuse and Benedictine, contain the volatile oil of hyssop. Some fragrances contain the essential oil.

Common doses of hyssop

Hyssop comes as a commercial or fluid extract, tincture, and oil. Fresh or dried flowering tops are used to prepare teas or compresses. Some experts recommend the following doses:

• As a tea, infuse 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried hyssop in 1 cup of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes. Drink three times daily for cough, or gargle three times daily for sore throat.
• As a tincture, 1 to 4 milliliters taken orally three times daily.

Uses of hyssop herb

• Anxiety
• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Cold sores
• Common cold
• Cough
• Genital herpes sores
• Hysteria
• Indigestion
• Intestinal gas
• Petit mal seizures (a from of epilepsy)
• Sore throat
• Wounds

Side effects of hyssop

Call your health care practitioner if you experience any of these possible side effects of hyssop:

• diarrhea
• upset stomach.

Overdose of hyssop oil may cause seizure-like muscle spasms.

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Tell your health care practitioner about any prescription or nonprescription drugs you're taking.

Important paints to remember

• Don't use hyssop if you're pregnant.
• Know that children ages 2 to 12 and elderly adults should use low-strength preparations.
• Don't give hyssop to children under age 2.
• Keep hyssop out of reach of children and pets.
• Check with your health care practitioner if you plan to use the herb more than 3 days in a row.
• Don't confuse this herb with giant hyssop, hedge hyssop, prairie hyssop, or wild hyssop.

What the research shows

Medical experts generally recognize hyssoP as safe but advise people to seek medical supervision when using it more than 3
days in a row. They suspect-but aren't certain-that the herb acts as an expectorant in treating cough and bronchitis and reduces intestinal gas in such disorders as bloating and irritable bowel.

No evidence supports external use of hyssoP in treating burns, wounds, and other infections. Although hyssop extracts have inhibited HIV in test tubes, no studies show that the herb is useful in treating AIDS.