A question about hyssop...

[Ruby Reason]

My daughter has a hyssop plant that she uses for ritual purposes I think. I'd like to learn a bit more about it, its uses, and how to prepare any oils or extracts this group might know about. So far my only support has been to dry it and make it available for use in herb tea etc. I know it has some medicinal purposes, but that it can also be poisonous if over done. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

[silverweb]

1. Here's an excellent article:

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]It includes a description, history, uses and preparations, and precautions: http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_hyssop.htm[//I]

[Ruby Reason]

3. Thank you. This is a great link.

I'm learning more all the time. This was quite in-depth and filled in several areas of information I did not know.

[silverweb]

6. Happy to be of service.

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]I'm glad you found it helpful.

[icymist]

2. If you are afraid that this herb can be poisonous if ingested, than do not ingest it!

Hyssop has a long history going back thousands of years throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Egypt. Magically, this is used for purification and protection by making a besom (or broom) of the herb and sweeping away all negative energy. The plant can also be infused with water and sprinkled over sacred object, cleansing them for ritual use. You can also make hyssop oil that can be used externally on the body. Put a couple of drops of hyssop oil into the palm of your hands, rub them together, then from the feet on up rub this into your body while chanting the cleansing and protection spell you wish to invoke. Be sure to bind the spell by visualizing tying a knot.

If you have any doubt about using this herb then do not use it. Herbs and perscription/OTC drugs sometimes do not mix. As with all herbal remedies I would sugest checking with a medical professional before using then medicinally.

Here are some links where you can read up on hyssop:
http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/bookofshadows/ig/Magical-Herbs/Hyssop.htm
http://www.complete-herbal.com/details/hyssop.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyssop

[Ruby Reason]

4. Thank you, but don't worry.

We have slowly worked our way through penny royal, horehound, St. John's wort, and more that all have "medicinal" and "poisonous" affects. The links were quite helpful and I was quite interested in you own notes at the beginning. I really like the plant, it does attract lots of bees, butterflies, etc.

[kentauros]

5. This is my go-to site for herbs and herbology:

Botanical.com
They usually have a drawing of the plant in question, too, making it easier to identify.

And here's the entry on Hyssop

[Ruby Reason]

7. You're right. It is a good site. Thank you.

[Sentath]

8. recipe link

http://www.publicradio.org/columns/splendid-table/recipes/hyssop-baked_peppers.html

[LiberalEsto]

9. There are at least two different plants called hyssop

One, agastache, is sometimes called anise hyssop or Korean hyssop. It smells like licorice and the leaves make a lovely tea.
Here's an article about various kinds of agastache: http://suite101.com/article/agastache-a104896

The other is true hyssop, and here is an article on it: http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_hyssop.htm

Both agastache and true hyssop are members of the mint family. I have both growing in my garden. True hyssop can be used as a remedy for coughs, but I have never used it. I grow it for the lovely blue flowers, which attract bees and butterflies. Agastache is also a bee magnet. Growing plants that attract bees helps ensure that my vegetable garden gets pollinated.

[Ruby Reason]

10. Thanks you. Ours is true Hyssop.

The only thing in our garden that smells like licorice is the fennel. We have all kinds of plants that attract bees, butterflies and the occasional humming bird. We have identified at least 3 different honey bee colonies and 2 different bumble bee colonies that come to our yard. It is fun! The down side is that I was stung 4 times this summer (so far). My fault, stupid stuff like putting my knee on a bee while weeding, etc. But we don't complain because we love our pollinators, plus we have several aloe plants just inside the back door.