Hyssop

'Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow'. Psalms 51.7

The fact that a herb has been used for hundreds, or even thousands, of years always reassures me and there are mentions of hyssop (Hyssopsus officinalis) in plenty of historical writings, including the bible.

I have a pretty hyssop plant in my garden and often use it for making a liqueur. And I’m not alone in this. The Roman writer, Pliny, made a herbal liqueur called Hyssopites, and Benedictine monks used the herb extensively in their liqueur making.

Today it is one of the herbs used in the secret recipe for Chartreuse. I don’t have the Chartreuse recipe but do have a recipe for Heavenly Hyssop Liqueur one which is lovely served with a dash of soda water.

Cultivation

The plant is a good addition to the garden as it enjoys full sun and is water wise. It is a small shrub growing to about 75cm and has long spikes of purple flowers. There are also pink and white varieties

Hyssop needs a sandy, well-drained soil, preferably in full sun. It grows easily from seed, stem or root cuttings, and layering. The flowers can be harvested throughout the year

It increases the yield of grape vines if planted close by. Hyssop attracts butterflies, especially the white cabbage butterfly, so plant in the vegetable garden to keep them away from your brassicas.

Culinary

The herb is bitter, but can be used sparingly in meat casseroles. It goes particularly well with game. The flowers can be added to salads. It makes an excellent liqueur.

Beauty and Bath

It is an uplifting herb and can be added to bath water or vinegars. Hyssop is used extensively in the perfume industry.

Medicinal

Used for cuts and bruises to reduces swelling and prevent infection. Apply a poultice to heal black eyes. Take a syrup or infusion for chest ailments. Drink an infusion to aid digestion.

Hyssop has always been associated with lepers, as they rubbed the herb onto their skins to cleanse themselves of their disease and to protect others from being infected. Research has since shown that a mould, which produces penicillin, grows on hyssop leaves explaining why hyssop was so effective.

The antibiotic effects are also well known to farm workers in the Mediterranean. Still today, injuries in the fields are treated with a poultice of crushed hyssop leaves and sugar to protect against tetanus and reduce swellings.