All About Hyssop | Know Your Spice Jupha (Hyssopus officinalis)

Hyssop or Eisop is an aromatic perennial herb, 30-60 cm high, grown at higher elevations (above 1500 meters).

It is a native to Southern Europe and temperate zones of Asia. It is cultivated in Europe especially in Southern France. In India it is found in the Himalayas and is cultivated in Kashmir.

All aerial parts of the plant (stem, leaves, flowers) are used. The dried plant is less aromatic than the fresh one. It is also grown as a pot herb.

The Greek plant name hyssopos [ὕσσωπος] is probably derived from Old Hebrew esob [אזוב] (men­tioned in the Bible.

The Hebrew term azob or esob means “the holy herb”, which was used for cleaning people and sacred places and later came to be known as a symbol of cleansing and purification.

Native to the northern Mediterranean coast and parts of the Middle East, Hyssop has been used since ancient times and was once considered a cure-all for a variety of ailments.

As a natural remedy it was prescribed by apothecaries to relieve respiratory congestion, digestive issues and rheumatism.

The leaves were used for tinctures and salves for wounds or bruises. It can also be used to lower a fever.

It is said that European women would sniff dried Hyssop flowers they had pressed in their psalm books to stay awake in church.

It was introduced to the New World by colonists in 1631. It can be found growing in the Eastern part of the US, from Montana to North Carolina.

Today, it makes an appearance at local farmers markets in the US, and can still be found throughout southern and central Europe.

• It is most often used as a spice herb to flavor dishes and beverages, teas, and liquors (Chartreuse).
• It can be used in soups, stuffings and sauces. The sweetly scented flowers make an interesting addition to salad greens.
• Its essential oil is used widely in the perfume industry and hyssop tea was used to treat many ailments including digestive and intestinal problems, throat infections, rheumatism and insomnia.
• It is also used for digestive and intestinal problems including liver and gallbladder conditions, intestinal pain, intestinal gas, colic, and loss of appetite.
• Lotion of hyssop was said to improve skin colour and texture.
• Its leaves are often used to flavour salads, stews and marinades.
• The flowers can also be used to garnish dishes and in salads.
• It is also added to potpourri.

Zufa tastes like mint but with floral overtones—like a minty lavender—but with a slight bitterness.

Fresh hyssop leaves will keep well, refrigerated, for up to one week.

You should store dry hyssop leaves and flowers in an airtight container.

The best substitute for hyssop is with 1 1/2 tablespoon of chopped fresh sage + 1 1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh mint.

Hyssop essential oil is widely available for purchase from health stores, homeopathy outlets, and natural health centers.

You can also buy hyssop products & oils online at this link.

The following are health benefits of Hyssop, Eisop, Zufa or Jupha

• Health Benefits of Jupha as an Antioxidant – Antioxidants are naturally occurring compounds that help protect cells against damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals. Hyssop also suppresses the storage of fat in the body.
• Health Benefits of Hyssop for Asthma – Hyssop and several other plants were able to improve inflammation, oxidative stress, allergic response, tracheal smooth muscle constriction, and airway remodeling in asthma.
• Health Benefits of Jupha against Ulcers – Researchers found that hyssop acts against two chemicals in the body that are implicated in ulcers: urease and a-chymotrypsin.
• Health Benefits of Hyssop against Cancer – Hyssop may be one of the more potent anti-cancer herbs in this family, killing 82 percent of breast cancer cells in laboratory studies.
• Health Benefits of Jupha as an Anti-inflammatory Agent – Hyssop rhizomes contain flavonoids, tannins, bitters, volatile oils, and several phenolic compounds, which display potent anti-inflammatory effects.
• Health Benefits of Hyssop as an Antimicrobial Agent – Extracts and oils from the jupha plant show moderate antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.
• Health Benefits of Jupha against Common Cold – In folk medicine, hyssop is often used to alleviate symptoms of the common cold. The essential oil has been reported to reduce sore throat and cough.
• Health Benefits of Hyssop for Infections – As a purported antimicrobial, hyssop oil may act as a natural antibiotic to fight certain infections. These may include upper respiratory infection, urinary tract infection, and infections of the skin.