This Beauty grows best from seed when planted in the spring. She prefers to be basking in the sun and planted in well-drained soil where her roots can have room to breathe. Hyssop will grow to about 1- 2 feet high and she generally blooms in the late summer. She is a great companion for her veggie cousins as she seduces the-would- be eaters to come be with her instead of chomping away on their leafy green heads.
Her name comes from the Greek, Hyssopus, via the Hebrew ezob, which means “good scented herb” or “holy herb” and is invited as a sacred participant in cleansing rituals documented from the book of Old Testament to Pagan rituals. This is the Deva along with the blood of a lamb that was used for protection against death of the firstborn during the tenth plague.[1] She is also known for being one of the valued herbs in the “Elixir of Long Life” a.k.a Chartreuse made by monks from Chartreuse monastery in Vauvert, a small suburb of Paris.
Hyssop’s pungent, bitter, and warming nature does well to purge one when there is an accumulation of earth and water in a person’s constitution. Here, She is valued greatly for her antimicrobial properties, helping the immune system’s fight against infection, particularly those of the respiratory tract. In my personal practice, I have used her in an ancient Ayurvedic formula called Nasya. Nasya is the administration of herbal infused oil through the nasal passages to help relieve sinus congestion, release tension in the head, and relieve accumulated stress.[2] I have found that this combination is highly effective; while it gently cleanses and nourishes the tissues of the sinus cavity.
Her medicinal qualities clear toxins from the gut, rekindles digestive fire, reduces fever, relieves coughs and breathing problems, eliminates worms and parasites, purifies the blood, clears congestion from the head, AND spiritually aids one in the process of Forgiveness.
Throughout the years our ancestors have respected and called upon Hyssop to aid us in a holistic approach and bring back balance to mind, body, and spirit in a person. In the Modern Era, the Western Scientific community has caught on more recently with scientific proof of her “worthiness”. There was a study done in 1990 named “ Antiviral Research”. In this study, they found that extracts of Hyssop had strong antiviral activity, which inhibited HIV-1 replication due to its high caffeic acid, tannins, and other compounds.[3] In 2003 there was a study done in Japan that concluded Hyssop inhibited the digestion of complex carbohydrates and would be useful in cases of hyperglycemia.[4]
Hyssop bestows upon us the wisdom to speed up the healing process, relieve inflammation and swelling through the use of infusions, tinctures, and of her oils. She can be used in a vaporizer to cleanse the air from toxins and strengthen one’s sense of personal boundary by giving us a sense of protection.[5]
Heart to heart: This encouraging Deva has come to my aid in a great time of need. She has worked with me over these past years and while sometimes I feel I have taken her for granted, I can say now, that as I sit here on the other side, where it’s just a little more green, and I know it was her grace, her gentleness, and compassion that guided me to “let go” of these feelings of guilt, shame, or blame. She has allowed me to have self-forgiveness and let go of these ideals and stories that I have taken on to be that of my own. She has taught me to recognize now that these stories are one from the karmic web I play part in and for this and for her presence in my life, I am eternally grateful. To share her with my community is a blessing indeed.
[1] “XIII. Hyssop “ Wisdom of the Earth Speaks: The Truth About Medicinal Aromatherapy by Barry B. Kapp
[2] Banyan Botanicals description of Nasya
[3] Gollapudi S, Sharma HA, Aggarwal S 1990
[4] J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2003
[5] “Hyssop: Purification, Protection, & Expansion” Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit by Gabriel Mojay