Latin Name
Hyssopus officinalis

General Description
After centuries of use in Europe, hyssop was such a popular remedy for coughs and other respiratory ills that European colonists brought it to North America. A shrub with white, pink or blue flowers, hyssop is part of the mint family. It is used as an expectorant, digestive aid, sedative,and muscle relaxant. Volatile oils in the leaves and flowers, bitter tasting and with a strong camphorlike odor, help loosen mucus and stimulate coughing and decrease gas. Hyssop is also used as an antiseptic; its oils may heal wounds and herpes simplex sores.

Target Ailments
Taken internally for:

• Coughs, common colds and bronchitis; indigestion, gas; anxiety, hysteria and petit mal (a form of epilepsy).
  

Applied externally for:

• Cold sores, genital herpes sores, burns, wounds and skin irritations.

Preparations
Over the counter:
Available dried or fresh and as tincture.

At home:
Tea: 2 tsp. dried herb per cup of boiling water steeped for 10 to 15 minutes. Drink three times a day for cough (honey, sugar or lemon added to improve the flavor); gargled three times a day for sore throat. Applied to burns and wounds.
Compress: 1 oz. dried herb steeped in 1 pint of boiling water for 15 minutes; clean cloth soaked in solution and applied warm to cold sores or genital herpes sores; placed on the chest to relieve congestion.
Combinations: Used with white horehound and coltsfoot for coughs and bronchitis; with boneset, elder flower and peppermint for cold symptoms; and with sage as a gargle for sore throats.

Special Information

• Use hyssop only under medical supervision if you use it for more than three consecutive days.
  
• Pregnant women should avoid hyssop; it was once used to induce abortion.
  
• Use low-strength preparations for adults over 65 or children between 2 and 12 years of age. Do not give to children under 2 years old.