Hyssop

Hyssop

 

hyssop illustrationAlso Known As:

Hysope Officinale.

 

Scientific Name:

Hyssopus officinalis.

Family: Lamiaceae/Labiatae.

 

People Use This For:

Hyssop is used for liver and gallbladder conditions, intestinal inflammation,

coughs, the common cold, respiratory infections, sore throat, asthma, urinary

tract infection, flatulence and colic, anorexia, poor circulation, painful periods, and for digestive and intestinal problems.

 

Safety:

No concerns regarding safety when used orally in amounts commonly found in foods. Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the US.(12)

Pregnancy and Lactation: Refer to a Medical Herbalist.

 

Effectiveness:

There is insufficient scientific information available about the effectiveness of hyssop.

 

Mechanism of Action:

The applicable parts of hyssop are the above ground parts. Constituent marrubiin (13)

has cardioactive effects and stimulates bronchial secretions. (14)

Caffeic acid and tannins may be the active constituents of the dried leaves. Extracts show antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus and HIV in vitro. (15,13)

 

Adverse Reactions:

None reported with tincture or infusion.

 

Interactions with Herbs & Supplements:

None known.

 

Interactions with Drugs:

None known.

 

Interactions with Foods:

None known.

 

Interactions with Lab Tests:

None known.

 

Interactions with Diseases or Conditions:

None reported with tincture or infusion.

 

Dosage/Administration:

Dr Clare’s Blends:

To check

Oral: Typically people take two 445 mg capsules containing the hyssop herb

three times daily. (16)

Some people take 10-15 drops of the hyssop extract (12-14% by volume) in water two to three times daily. (17)

People also consume or gargle the hyssop tea three times daily. (18)

The tea is prepared by steeping 1-2 teaspoons of the dried hyssop flower tops in 150 mL boiling water for 10-15 minutes and then straining. Avoid internal use of hyssop oil due to possible neurotoxicity.

 

Specific References: HYSSOP

12. FDA. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Office of Premarket Approval, EAFUS: A

food additive database. Available at: vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/eafus.html.

13. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and

Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.

14. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.

15. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.

16. Manufacturer: Nature's Way. Springville, UT.

17. Manufacturer: Nature's Answer. Hanppange, NY.

18. Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Professional's Handbook of Complementary & Alternative Medicines. 1st ed. Springhouse, PA: Springhouse Corp., 1999.

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