Practical
Plants

Hyssopus officinalis

Hyssop

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Hyssopus genus in the family Labiatae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Labiatae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
0.6 m
Spread
0.6 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves and young shoot tips - raw or used as a flavouring in soups, salads etc[22][3][8]. A strongly aromatic flavour, somewhat like a cross between sage and mint, it has fallen out of favour in recent years[22][17]. It can be used fresh or dried[14]. Flowers - raw. Added to salads[8]. An essential oil from the plant is used as a food flavouring[8].

Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Hyssop has a long history of medicinal use and was so highly esteemed in the past that it was considered to be a virtual cure-all[20]. Currently an undervalued herb, it is often used as a household remedy, particularly as an expectorant and stomach tonic[22][20]. It has a positive effect when used to treat bronchitis and respiratory infections, especially where there is excessive mucous production[20]. Hyssop can irritate the mucous membranes, so it is best given after an infection has peaked, when the herb's tonic action encourages a general recovery[20]. The plant should not be used by pregnant women, however, since in large quantities it can induce a miscarriage[24]. The leaves and flowering tops are antiseptic, antitussive, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, pectoral, sedative, stimulant, stomachic, tonic and vasodilator[22][24][26][14][4][17]. The plant can be harvested when in full flower and dried for later use[22]. A tea made from the leaves is used in the treatment of flatulence, stomach-aches, upper respiratory tract infections, coughs in children etc[16][17]. A poultice made from the fresh herb is used to heal wounds[22][17]. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Stability'[15]. This oil should not be used on people who are highly strung as it can cause epileptic symptoms[24][20]. The essential oil should not be used internally except under professional supervision[20].

Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Aromatherapy
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Pectoral
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
Stomachic
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
Vasodilator

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Hyssop can be grown as a dwarf hedge, it responds well to trimming in the spring[3][23][7]. The growing plant attracts cabbage white butterflies away from brassicas[3][6][10]. Another report says that hyssop attracts cabbage white butterflies and should not be grown near cabbages[12]. An essential oil from the leaves is antiseptic and also used in perfumery and as a food flavouring[11][12]. It has a particularly fine odour and is much valued by perfumers[22]. Average yields of the oil are about 0.6%[24]. Yields from the blue-flowered variety are 1 - 1.5% essential oil, the red-flowered variety yields about 0.8%, whilst the white-flowered form yields 0.5% essential oil[18]. The plant was formerly used as a strewing herb[22][11] and is also used in pot-pourri[19]. A tea made from the leaves is useful for controlling bacterial plant diseases[12]. Plants can be grown for ground cover when spaced about 45cm apart each way[13].

Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Fungicide
Product or use
Pot-pourri
Product or use
Repellent
Product or use
Strewing

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Hedge

Environment

Range
Europe - Mediterranean. Naturalized in Britain.
Habitat
Old walls and buildings, stony places[26][5]. Dry hills and rock ledges to 2200 metres in Turkey[9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. Very easy, the seed germinates quickly. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 7 cm with a heel, June/July in a frame[2][25]. Fairly easy, the cuttings root quite quickly. Grow on the plants in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant out in late spring. Cuttings of greenwood, 5 - 7 cm with a heel, April/May in a frame[1]. Plant out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn[1][22].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a light, dry calcareous soil and a sunny position[1][3][21][23]. A very cold-hardy plant, when dormant it can tolerate temperatures down to about -25°c[9]. Hyssop has very aromatic leaves and is commonly grown in the herb garden where it makes a good edging plant to a border[22]. There are some named varieties[8]. The plant needs to be trimmed regularly to keep it in shape, untrimmed plants will soon degenerate. Spring is the best time to trim the plants[17]. It is probably best to replace the plants every few years. The flowers have a rich aromatic fragrance[19]. Hyssop is a very good plant for attracting bees and butterflies to the garden[22][10]. It is a good companion plant to grow with grapes, but it grows badly with radishes[3][6][10].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩

  3. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  4. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩

  5. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  6. Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  7. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩

  8. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  9. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2

  10. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  12. Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  13. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩

  14. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2

  15. Westwood. C. Aromatherapy - A guide for home use. Amberwood Publishing Ltd 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-9517723-0-9

    ↩

  16. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

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  17. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  18. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩

  19. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2

  20. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  21. Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878-00-00

    ↩

  22. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11

  23. Larkcom. J. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn 1980-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  24. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  25. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩

  26. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2

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