Hyssop

Scientific Name(s): Hyssopus officinalis L.
Common Name(s): Ezov, Hyssop, Hyssopus

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 21, 2021.

Clinical Overview

Use

Toxic effects of hyssop essential oil limit therapeutic applications. Although no clinical evidence supports use, animal research indicates the potential for use of hyssop extract in diabetes and for its antimicrobial and CNS effects.

Dosing

No clinical evidence is available to determine hyssop dosing recommendations.

Contraindications

Contraindications have not been identified.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Avoid use. Documented adverse effects.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

Information is limited; however, case reports of seizures exist.

Toxicology

Convulsant toxic effects of the essential oil have been established in rodents.

Scientific Family

• Labiatae (mint)
• Laminaceae

Botany

Hyssop is a perennial plant native to the Mediterranean that has been imported to and naturalized in the United States and Canada. It grows along roadsides and is sometimes found as a garden herb, growing to about 0.6 m in height. Its thin pointed leaves extend onto a central herbaceous stem that is sessile in form. The small blue tubular flowers grow from the upper leaf axils and bloom from July to October. The fruit contains 4 nutlets, each having one seed, and the plant has an aromatic camphor-like scent.1, 2, 3

A number of other common plants found in North America go by a variation of the name "hyssop." These include giant hyssop (Agastache spp.), hedge hyssop (Gratiola officinalis L.), and water hyssop (Bacopa spp.); none of these plants are members of the genus Hyssopus, nor are they all members of the family Laminaceae.1

History

In ancient times, the hyssop plant was used as an insecticide, insect repellent, and pediculicide,3 and also in religious rituals; however, there is little evidence that mentions of "hyssop" in the Bible actually refer to H. officinalis.4, 5 The plant has been used in herbal medicine for the treatment of sore throats, colds, hoarseness, and as an expectorant.2, 3 Some herbalists also believe that hyssop has beneficial effects in asthma, urinary tract inflammation, lack of appetite, gas, and colic. Extracts of the plant have been used in perfumes and soaps, and to flavor liqueurs, sauces, puddings, and candies.2, 3

Chemistry

As a member of the mint family, hyssop contains a number of fragrant, volatile components. The plant contains up to 2% of a volatile oil,2 primarily composed of pinocamphone, isopinocamphone, alpha- and beta-pinene, camphene, and alpha-terpinene.6

Other constituents of the plant include glycosides (hyssopin as well as the flavonoid glycosides, hesperidin, and diosmine), tannin 5% to 8%, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, beta-sitosterol, marrubiin, and resins. Crude hyssop also contains rosmarinic acid 0.5% and total hydroxycinnamic derivatives 2.2%.2, 6 Flavonoids with antioxidant activity have been identified.7

Uses and Pharmacology

Antimicrobial

Animal data

Antibacterial and antivira...