Hyssop.

Hyssopus officinalis.

Also see Hool, 1922: Hyssop.

Natural Order—Labiatae. Linnean System, Class 14, Didynamia, Order 1st, Gymnospermia.

This plant is often cultivated in gardens. It is perennial, and grows to about two feet high. The leaves are opposite, sessile, lance-linea, pinnate. The flowers are a blue-purple, in small clusters upon crowded spikes.

Its therapeutic principles are resinous, alkaloid, and neutral.

Medicinal Properties: Aromatic, Diaphoretic, Anthelmintic, Aperient, Febrifuge, Expectorant, Diuretic.

It is useful for coughs, colds, bronchitis, whooping cough, inflammation of the lungs, constipation, and fevers of all kinds, hoarseness, and obstruction of the urinary passages, and pin worms. The infusion of one ounce in a pint of boiling water may be given freely in half-teacupful doses, in all the above conditions, with beneficial results.

The following compound will be found useful in bronchitis, coughs, hoarseness, and affections of the bronchial tubes:—

Hyssop ... ½ oz.
Black Horehound ... ½ oz.
Marshmallow ... ½ oz.
Comfrey ... ½ oz.

Pour on 2½ pints of water and boil gently for 10 minutes; strain, sweeten with sugar, honey, or black treacle, and give in wineglassful doses every two or three hours, or oftener, if required,

Hyssop is highly esteemed in the diseases of infancy. It is often used as a gargle for sore throat, quinsy, and similar conditions, and can be used also as a compress in these latter cases.

Health from British Wild Herbs was written by Richard Lawrence Hool, N.A.M.H., in 1918.