Hyssop is renown from early times as a holy herb for cleansing and purification of temples and other holy places. Hyssop today is primarily used as a tea or as a gargle. It is often combined with horehound herb.

Directions: To make an infusion, pour one cup boiling water over 1 teaspoon of hyssop herb and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes. Sweeten with honey if desired.

Suggested Uses: Hyssop is used as a tea and is often combined with horehound. An effective, but more pleasant tasting tea, can be made using 1/3 hyssop herb, 1/3 horehound herb and 1/3 peppermint leaf, sweetened to taste with honey.

Hyssop herb is also sometimes use to make a gargle to sooth the throat.

As a bitter, it is said to promote the appetite.

Caution/Safety: The Botanical Safety Handbook* classifies hyssop as:

Class:2b not to be used during pregnancy

*Michael McGuffin, ed., American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook, (New York: CRC Press, 1997)

Botanical name: Equisetum arvense L. , Equisetum hyemale L. or arvense L.

Safety: Equisetum arvense should not be used by persons with cardiac or renal dysfunction. Not recommended for long-term use or use by children. Do not exceed recommended dosage.

Directions: To use as a tea, pour 1 cup boiling water over 2 tsp. of herb, cover and steep 3-5 minutes.