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Hyssop is a herbaceous plant with various uses, including seasoning and medicinal remedies. It attracts bees and can be grown in most regions of the US. Its flowers are attractive and it has anti-inflammatory properties, but large doses can cause seizures.
Hyssop refers to a group of herbaceous plants that may have first been cultivated in the Mediterranean. Its uses are numerous: it can be an herb used for seasoning, but is more often used in medicinal remedies. Farmers value hyssop varieties because they attract bees, providing safer ways to pollinate crops. The flowers, which bloom in late May, are quite beautiful and any variety of this plant can make a lovely addition to a wildflower garden.
The taste of the plant is described as a bit minty with a bitter aftertaste. It may have been part of the bitter herbs used in Jewish Passover ceremonies and there is a Biblical reference to the plant. When Jesus is given a sponge soaked in wine during his crucifixion, the sponge is offered on a hyssop stalk.
Hyssop grows in stems which in some varieties can reach about two feet (about 61 cm) in height. The leaves can be about 2.54-5.08 cm (1-2 in) long. The leaves themselves are semi-oblong in shape and can be stripped from the stem for use in a variety of applications. As a flavoring, hyssop can be used in small quantities to flavor soups, stews or meats. A few leaves can make a nice addition to herb or wild lettuce salads.
In herbal medicine, hyssop is often used as a treatment for coughs or colds, and you may find it in herbal teas made for this purpose. You may want to flavor these teas with a little honey, as they can be bitter. It may also have anti-inflammatory properties and some apply a tincture of the herb to cuts, scrapes or bruises.
Be careful when taking tinctures or hyssop essential oil internally, because in large doses it can cause seizures. While it should not be offered to children, adults find these tinctures, when taken in appropriate doses, helpful in promoting relaxation. As with all herbal medications, consult your doctor before using any herbal remedy, especially if you have any known health conditions or take other medications regularly.
You can grow hyssop in most regions of the United States, where it prefers full sun and sandy soil. Seeds and/or cuttings can both produce new plants. Some varieties are perennial and therefore do not require annual replanting. Other more decorative varieties may require annual replanting, and if you live in colder regions, you may need to replant perennials as well.
You can also find this plant grown between rows of grapes in cellars. It is believed to increase grape production. In spring, the plant is hard to miss, as it produces bright blue to purple flowers that are known attractors to butterflies and the cabbage moth.
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