Hyssop officinalis - hyssopus officinalis l.

Family of labial flowers - Lamiaceae (Labiatae)

Botanical characteristics. Perennial semishrubs. Stem tetrahedral up to 80 cm high. Rigid, covered with hairs. Leaves almost sessile, opposite, co-rotko-petiolate, lanceolate, entire. Flowers are small, mauve or white, form an oblong spicate inflorescence. Blossoms from June to October. All parts of the plant have a strong spicy flavor.

Spread. It grows in the steppes, on mountain slopes, in gravels, near habitation, like a weed.

Used parts of the plant. The medicinal raw material is the aerial part of the plant, more often the inflorescence. The collected raw material is immediately dried in the shade and stored in closed jars: leaves - in one, inflorescence - in the other.

Chemical composition. The aerial part of the hyssop contains essential oil, in its composition: pinene, camphene, caren, cymol, myrcene, limonene, gumulene, thujone, cardinene, their isomers and derivatives; Phenolic carboxylic acids, flavonoids, steroids, vitamins, tannins, glycosides. Seeds contain fatty oil, in its composition acids: palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic; Other connections.

Application. Hyssop is an excellent expectorant for colds and diseases of the upper respiratory tract, Especially effective in senile cough caused by dry mucous membranes, as a disinfectant for diseases of the oral cavity and throat; Enhances the secretion of mucus, has a weak diuretic effect, has an anti-inflammatory effect on the gastrointestinal tract, but weakly expressed effect, in connection with this hyssop is used in a mixture with other herbs.

Hyssop preparations show antibacterial activity, has lactogenic properties. Essential oil has an antibacterial effect, it is widely used in cosmetics.

The aerial part of the plant was part of the domestic pharmacopoeia of the third edition. It is official in France, Portugal, Romania and Sweden.

In folk medicine infusion inflorescence is used mainly as an expectorant, anti-inflammatory, astringent, tonic, wound-healing, anthelmintic, with bronchial asthma, gastrointestinal diseases, dyspepsia, rheumatism, anemia, angina pectoris, neurosis, flatulence; Externally - with stomatitis, bad breath, long-term non-healing wounds, with excessive sweating.

The juice of fresh plants is used as a deodorant (wipe the face and neck in a diluted form (1: 1)).

Tea from the inflorescence is recommended for the elderly, as well as weakened people after the disease in small dosages. Regular use increases the tone of the body, as a powerful restorative. Very effective is the treatment with hyssop drugs hangover syndrome: after 15-20 minutes after taking infusion or fresh juice (30-40 drops), the person completely comes to the norm: his head ceases to tremble and his hands tremble.

Branches and leaves of hyssop are used for food: they are suitable for canning vegetables, especially cucumbers, and as an aromatic agent - in the dairy industry.

Leaves and flowers of hyssop are added to salads, sauces, fish dishes, especially beans, as a vitamin remedy and for giving a piquant taste.

Preparation

• For infusion take 10 g of inflorescences, leaves or their mixture, pour 200 ml of boiling water, insist on a boiling water bath for 15 minutes, cool for 45 minutes, filter. Take inside 1/3 cup 2-3 times a day after meals.
• From the seeds, prepare a decoction , for which 5 g of seeds are poured into 200 ml of boiling water, insist on a water bath for 30 minutes, cool for 10 minutes, filter. Take 2 tbsp. Spoon 3-4 times a day after meals.

Contraindications. The use of drugs inside requires caution, since the plant is slightly toxic, can cause side effects: palpitations, a sharp drop in pressure and even convulsions. To persons with increased nervous excitability, hyssop is not recommended. Do not use it and pregnant women.