Psalm 51: 7 – “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow.”

Hyssop was considered a sacred oil in ancient Israel, Egypt, and Greece. In Exodus 12::22, God commanded the Israelites to dip Hyssop stalks into the blood of the passover lamb to ward off the angel of death. While the protected Israelites were passed over, the first born Egyptians were killed. Hyssop branches were also used to offer vinegar to Jesus on the cross.

Hyssop has lavender like blooms that are soft when cut fresh and still full of their wonderful minty aroma. Bees love Hyssop and it is often planted near the bee hives to encourage the bees to stay put. The beekeepers also use Hyssop to produce a rich and aromatic honey.

Unlike the minty fresh blossoms, the leaves have a bitter taste due to its tannins, that are known to have a tightening effect. Due to this intense bitter taste, it is used moderately in cooking and to flavor liqueur.

Hyssop aids the body’s natural response to irritation and injury and has natural cleansing and purifying properties. The fragrant aroma of Hyssop is said to stimulate creativity and meditation.

Hyssop is steam distilled from stems/leaves in France and Hungary.

Pregnant and nursing women should use Hyssop with caution, and it is not recommended for children.