Hyssop

Hyssop, Hyssopus officinalis, is a herbaceous plant from the labiate family, which grows to 60 cm in size. The plant is native to the Mediterranean region and Central Asia. Since the early Middle Ages it has also been cultivated as a medicinal and spice plant in the monastery gardens north of the Alps.

Hyssop grows wild on dry and rocky slopes. The leaves of the plant have an aromatic scent and are densely covered with oil glands on both sides. The blue-violet flowers offer plenty of nectar, which is why hyssop is valued as a good bee food plant.

Hyssopus officinalis is the parent plant of Herba hyssopi, the hyssop herb, also known as ipsenkraut or Josefskraut, and of Oleum hyssopi, the hyssop oil.

Cosmetics: The following extracts and ingredients of the hyssop plant are used in cosmetic formulations:

• Hyssopus officinalis extract (INCI), the leaf extract of hyssop.
• Hyssopus officinalis herb extract (INCI), the complete herb extract
• Hyssopus officinalis herb oil (INCI), the oil from the herb of hyssop
• Hyssopus officinalis leaf oil (INCI), the oil from the leaves of the hyssop

Folk medicine: In folk medicine, extract of the flowering plant is used against stomach and intestinal disorders. The tea made from the flowers and leaves of hyssop has an expectorant and blood-purifying effect and has a soothing effect on coughs and bronchitis.