View source for Biology:Hyssopus officinalis

{{short description|Species of plant}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Hyssop
| image = Illustration Hyssopus officinalis0.jpg
| image_caption = 1885 illustration<ref>Prof. Dr. Otto Wilhelm Thomé, Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz 1885, Gera, Germany</ref>
| genus = Hyssopus (plant)
| species = officinalis
| authority = [[Biography:Carl Linnaeus|L.]]
| synonyms =
    {{Plainlist | style = margin-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em; |
*''Hyssopus alopecuroides'' <small>Fisch. ex Benth.</small>
*''Hyssopus altissimus'' <small>Mill.</small>
*''Hyssopus angustifolius'' <small>M.Bieb.</small>
*''Hyssopus aristatus'' <small>Godr.</small>
*''Hyssopus beugesiacus'' <small>Jord. & Fourr.</small>
*''Hyssopus canescens'' <small>(DC.) Nyman</small> nom. inval.
*''Hyssopus caucasicus'' <small>Spreng. ex Steud.</small>
*''Hyssopus cinerascens'' <small>Jord. & Fourr.</small>
*''Hyssopus cinereus'' <small>Pau</small>
*''Hyssopus cretaceus'' <small>Dubj.</small>
*''Hyssopus decumbens'' <small>Jord. & Fourr.</small>
*''Hyssopus fischeri'' <small>Steud.</small>
*''Hyssopus hirsutus'' <small>Hill</small>
*''Hyssopus judaeorum'' <small>Sennen</small>
*''Hyssopus montanus'' <small>Jord. & Fourr.</small>
*''Hyssopus myrtifolius'' <small>Desf.</small>
*''Hyssopus orientalis'' <small>Adam ex Willd.</small>
*''Hyssopus passionis'' <small>Sennen & Elias</small>
*''Hyssopus polycladus'' <small>Jord. & Fourr.</small>
*''Hyssopus pubescens'' <small>Jord. & Fourr.</small>
*''Hyssopus recticaulis'' <small>Jord. & Fourr.</small>
*''Hyssopus ruber'' <small>Mill.</small>
*''Hyssopus schleicheri'' <small>G.Don ex Loudon</small>
*''Hyssopus torresii'' <small>Sennen</small>
*''Hyssopus vulgaris'' <small>Bubani</small>
*''Thymus hyssopus'' <small>E.H.L.Krause</small>
    }}
| synonyms_ref = <ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/search?q=Hyssopus+officinalis
|title=The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species
|access-date=13 January 2015}}</ref>
}}

'''''Hyssopus officinalis''''' or '''hyssop''' is a [[Biology:Shrub|shrub]] in the [[Biology:Lamiaceae|Lamiaceae]] or mint family native to Southern [[Earth:Europe|Europe]], the [[Place:Middle East|Middle East]], and the region surrounding the Caspian Sea. Due to its purported properties as an [[Chemistry:Antiseptic|antiseptic]], cough reliever, and expectorant, it has been used in traditional herbal medicine.

==Description==
Hyssop is a brightly coloured shrub or [[Biology:Subshrub|subshrub]] that ranges from {{convert|30|to|60|cm|in|abbr=on}} in height. The [[Biology:Plant stem|stem]] is [[Biology:Lignin|woody]] at the base, from which grow a number of upright branches. Its [[Biology:Leaf|leaves]] are lanceolate, dark green, and from {{convert|2|to|2.5|cm|in|frac=8|abbr=on}} long.<ref>{{Cite book
| author = Pérez Maté, P.
| title = Especies aromáticas y medicinales
| year = 2002
| publisher = INTA
| location = Buenos Aires
| id = [http://www.inta.gov.ar/barrow/info/documentos/prohuerta/Arom%C3%A1ticas.pdf]
|language=es}}</ref>

During the summer, hyssop produces pink, blue (ssp. aristadus), or, more rarely, white fragrant (ssp. f. albus)  [[Biology:Flower|flower]]s. These give rise to small oblong tetra-[[Biology:Achene|achene]]s.

==History==
{{main|Biology:Ezov}}

A plant called hyssop has been in use since [[History:Classical antiquity|classical antiquity]]. Its name is a direct adaptation from the [[Social:Ancient Greek|Greek]] ὕσσωπος ({{transliteration|grc|hyssopos}}). The Hebrew word אזוב (''[[Biology:Ezov|ezov]]'', ''esov'', or ''esob'') and the Greek word ὕσσωπος probably share a common (but unknown) origin.<ref>''Oxford English Dictionary'', 2nd Edition, 1989, ''s.v.'' hyssop</ref> The name hyssop appears as a translation of ''ezov'' in some translations of the Bible, notably in {{Bibleverse|Psalms|51:7|KJV}}: "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean", but researchers have suggested that the Biblical accounts refer not to the plant currently known as hyssop but rather to one of a number of different herbs, including ''[[Biology:Origanum syriacum|Origanum syriacum]]'' (Syrian oregano, commonly referred to as "bible hyssop").<ref>Based on the Judeo-Arabic translation of the word in the works of Rabbi [[Biography:Saadia Gaon|Saadia Gaon]] (in his ''Tafsir'', a translation of the Pentateuch, Exodus 12:22), David ben Abraham al-Fasi (in his Hebrew–Arabic Dictionary of the Bible, known as ''`Kitāb Jāmiʿ al-Alfāẓ`'', vol. 1, s.v. אזוב), Rabbi Jonah ibn Janah (''Sefer HaShorashim'' – Book of the Roots, s.v. אזב – ''aleph'', ''zayn'', ''bet''), [[Biography:Maimonides|Maimonides]] (in his ''Mishnah'' Commentary, ''Nega'im'' 14:6) and Nathan ben Abraham I in Mishnah ''Uktzin'' 2:2. The problems with identification arise from Jewish oral tradition where it expressly prohibits Greek hyssop, and where the biblical plant is said to have been identical to the Arabic word, ''zaatar'' (''Origanum syriacum''), and which word is not to be associated with other ''ezobs'' that often bear an additional epithet, such as ''zaatar farsi'' = Persian-hyssop (Thymbra capitata) and ''zaatar rumi'' = Roman-hyssop ([[Biology:Satureja thymbra|Satureja thymbra]]). See: ''The Mishnah'' (ed. Herbert Danby), Oxford University Press: Oxford 1977, s.v. ''Negai'im'' 14:6 ([https://archive.org/details/DanbyMishnah/page/n725 p. 696]); ''Parah'' 11:7 [10:7] ([https://archive.org/details/DanbyMishnah/page/n740 p. 711]).</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author1=Fleisher, A. |author2=Fleisher, Z. |year=1988 |title=Identification of biblical hyssop and origin of the traditional use of oregano-group herbs in the Mediterranean region |journal=Economic Botany |volume=42 |issue=2 |pages=232–241 |doi=10.1007/bf02858924|s2cid=45220405 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=The Biblical Problem of Hyssop |url=http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/eq/hyssop_harrison.pdf |journal=The Evangelical Quarterly |volume=26 |issue=4 |year=1954 |pages=218–224 |author=R. K. Harrison |doi=10.1163/27725472-02604004 |s2cid=256487464 |access-date=2012-11-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331201420/http://biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/eq/hyssop_harrison.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-31 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Origanum+syriacum|title=Origanum syriacum Bible Hyssop PFAF Plant Database|website=pfaf.org}}</ref> {{Bibleverse|1 Kings|4:33|KJV}} mentions that 'ezov' was a small plant and some scholars believe it was a wall plant.<ref name=balfour>{{cite book |last1=Balfour |first1=John Hutton |title=The plants of the Bible, trees and shrubs |year=1866 |page=[https://archive.org/details/plantsbibletree01balfgoog/page/n48 34] |url=https://archive.org/details/plantsbibletree01balfgoog |access-date=27 August 2019}}</ref> It was burned with the red heifer ({{Bibleverse|Numbers|19:6|KJV}}) and used for purification of lepers  ({{Bibleverse|Leviticus|14:4-6|KJV}}, {{Bibleverse|Leviticus|14:49-51|KJV}}; {{Bibleverse|Numbers|19:18|KJV}}), and at Passover it was used to sprinkle the blood of the sacrificial lamb on the doorposts ({{Bibleverse|Exodus|12:22|KJV}}).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/7974-hyssop|title=HYSSOP - JewishEncyclopedia.com|website=www.jewishencyclopedia.com|access-date=2016-05-28}}</ref> A sponge attached to a hyssop branch was used to give Jesus on the cross a drink of vinegar.<ref>{{Bibleverse|John|19:29|KJV}}</ref>

Suggestions abound for the modern day correlation of biblical hyssop ranging from a wall plant like moss or fern, to widely used culinary herbs like thyme, rosemary or marjoram. Another suggestion is the [[Biology:Caper|caper]] plant which is known to grow in the rocky soils of the region and along walls.<ref name=balfour />

Hyssop was also used for [[Chemistry:Laxative|purgation]] (religious purification) in Egypt, where, according to [[Biography:Chaeremon of Alexandria|Chaeremon the Stoic]], the priests used to eat it with bread in order to purify this type of food and make it suitable for their austere diet.<ref>From Chaeremon's ''History of Egypt'', as quoted by [[Biography:Porphyry (philosopher)|Porphyry]], ''[[Religion:On Abstinence from Eating Animals|De Abstinentia]]'' [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/pearse/morefathers/files/porphyry_abstinence_04_book4.htm IV.6.9].</ref>

==Cultivation==
Hyssop is resistant to [[Earth:Drought|drought]], and tolerant of chalky, sandy soils. It thrives in full sun and warm climates.

Cultivars include 'Blue Flower'.

==Harvest==
Under optimal weather conditions, herb hyssop is harvested twice yearly, once at the end of spring and once more at the beginning of autumn. The plants are preferably harvested when flowering in order to collect the flowering tips.

Once the stalks are cut, they are collected and dried either stacked on [[Engineering:Pallet|pallet]]s to allow for draining or hung to dry. The actual drying process takes place in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, where the materials are mixed several times to ensure even drying. Drying herbs are kept from exposure to the sun to prevent discoloration and oxidation. The drying process takes approximately six days in its entirety. Once dried, the leaves are removed and both components, leaves and flowers, are chopped finely. The final dried product weighs a third of the initial fresh weight and can be stored for up to 18 months.

==Essential oil==
The [[Chemistry:Essential oil|essential oil]] includes the chemicals [[Chemistry:Thujone|thujone]] and [[Chemistry:Phenol|phenol]], which give it antiseptic properties.<ref>{{Cite book
  | last1 = van Wyk
  | first1 = Ben-Erik
  | last2 = Wink
  | first2 = Michael
  | title = Medicinal Plants of the World
  | publisher = Timber Press, Incorporated
  | year = 2004
  | edition = 1
  | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=bTdoTayyVrEC&q=hyssop+herb+expectorant&pg=PA177
  | isbn = 978-0-88192-602-6
  }}, p 177.</ref> Its high concentrations of thujone and chemicals that stimulate the [[Biology:Central nervous system|central nervous system]], including pinocamphone and cineole, can provoke [[Medicine:Epilepsy|epileptic]] reactions.<ref>{{cite journal | journal = J Neurol | date = 1999 | volume = 246 | issue = 8 | pages = 667–670 |author1=Pierre R. Burkhard |author2=Karim Burkhardt |author3=Charles-Antoine Haenggeli |author4=Theodor Landis | title = Plant-induced seizures: reappearance of an old problem | pmid= 10460442| doi = 10.1007/s004150050429 | s2cid = 20996610 }}</ref> The oil of hyssop can cause seizures and even low doses (2–3 drops) can cause convulsions in children.<ref>[http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-258-HYSSOP.aspx?activeIngredientId=258&activeIngredientName=HYSSOP Hyssop], WebMD</ref>

==Uses==
===Culinary===
The fresh herb is commonly used in cooking. Za'atar is a famous Middle Eastern herbal mixture, some versions of which include dried hyssop leaves.

Essence of hyssop can be obtained by steaming, and is used in cooking to a lesser extent.

The plant is commonly used by beekeepers to produce nectar from which western honey bees make a rich and aromatic [[Chemistry:Honey|honey]].

Herb hyssop leaves are used as an aromatic condiment. The leaves have a lightly bitter taste due to its [[Chemistry:Tannin|tannin]]s, and an intense [[Biology:Mentha|mint]]y aroma. Due to its intensity, it is used moderately in cooking. The herb is also used to flavor liqueur, and is part of the official formulation of Chartreuse. It is also a key ingredient in many formulations of [[Biology:Absinthe|absinthe]], where it is the main source of the green colour.

===Herbal medicine===
In [[Medicine:Herbal medicine|herbal medicine]] hyssop is believed to have soothing, expectorant, and cough suppressant properties.<ref>{{cite web
  | last = Grieve
  | first = M.
  | title = Hyssop: A Modern Herbal
  | publisher = Botanical.com
  | url = http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/h/hyssop48.html}}</ref> Hyssop has been used for centuries in [[Medicine:Traditional medicine|traditional medicine]] in order to increase circulation and to treat multiple conditions such as coughing and sore throat.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://livertox.nih.gov/Hyssop.htm |title=Hyssop |website=livertox.nih.gov}}</ref> Hyssop can stimulate the [[Biology:Gastrointestinal tract|gastrointestinal]] system.<ref>{{Cite book
  | last1 = Crellin
  | first1 = John
  | last2 = Philpott
  | first2 = Jane
  | title = A Reference Guide to Medicinal Plants: Herbal Medicine Past and Present
  | publisher = Duke University Press
  | year = 1997
  | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=0JaqB07uTx4C&q=hyssop+herbal+medicine&pg=PA257
  | isbn = 978-0-8223-1019-8
  }}
</ref>

==Gallery==
{{Gallery|width=165|height=220|align=center
|File:Gdańsk Portrait of Christoph von Suchten.jpg|Portrait of Christoph von Suchten holding a branch of hyssop in his hand considered in ancient times to be the symbol of faith, physical purity and moral regeneration, 1507, National Museum in Gdańsk<ref name=artinpl/>
|File:Hyssopus officinalis 001.JPG|''Hyssopus officinalis''
|File:HyssopEssentialOil.png|Hyssop (''Hyssopus officinalis'') essential oil
}}

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em|refs=
<ref name=artinpl>{{cite web|author=Marcin Latka |title= Portrait of Christoph von Suchten |url=https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/418905202840523019 |work=artinpl |access-date=28 July 2019}}</ref>
}}

==External links==

{{Taxonbar|from=Q137931}}

[[Category:Herbs]]
[[Category:Lamiaceae]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]

{{Sourceattribution|Hyssopus officinalis}}