Characteristics

In botany, hyssop belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae), together with other strongly aromatic medicinal plants such as lavender, rosemary, thyme, and sage.

Hyssop is a shrub that grows up to 60 cm high. Its stem is square-shaped and covered with soft, fine hairs. The leaves grow opposite each other along the stem, are lance-shaped, beautifully green in color, and rolled downward at the edges.

Hyssop blooms light blue in June and July. It is mainly cultivated as a garden plant in our regions, while its original home is Western Asia and the Mediterranean countries. For medicinal purposes, the flowers and leaves are collected in June.

Medicinal Effects

Hyssop contains various mineral salts, including a green tannin substance rich in iron, malic acid, resins, sugars, and a strongly aromatic volatile oil with a spicy flavor.

Because of these ingredients and its other minerals, hyssop tea is successfully used, either alone or combined with other medicinal herbs of similar effect, to help loosen and expel thick mucus, especially in respiratory and lung conditions.