Hyssop Flowering Tops

Description

• PLANT:

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.), from the Labiatae family, is known by other names: hisopillo de dos órdenes, hisopillo húmedo, hisopillo, hisopillo real, hysopo, isopo, isopo hortelano, rabillo and rabillo de gato de los colmeneros.
It is an aromatic plant related to sage and lavender. It is a small shrub with a woody base and herbaceous stems up to 50 cm long, native to Mediterranean regions and growing in meadows and pasture in mountain areas of the Pyrenees and the Iberian System. It has an upright, sparsely branched stem, linear leaves and blue flowers grouped in a spike-like inflorescence.

• COMPOSITION:

Its composition includes the following components: essential oil (3-9%), cineole, B-pineol, bicyclic monoterpenes, especially L-pinocamphene, isopinocamphene and pinocarvone. It also contains diosmoside, a flavonoid, various phenols (caffeic and rosmarinic acids) and various triterpenoids (ursolic and oleanolic acids), as well as choline. These are accompanied by tannin, bitter glycosides, sitosterin, marrubiin, thujone and the pigment hyssopin.

• COSMETIC PROPERTIES AND USES:

All these components give the plant properties such as disinfecting and cleaning superficial wounds and minor burns by washing them with its infusion or applying it in compresses.
The vapour from a hot hyssop decoction is also used to treat inflammation. Hyssop preparations also tone the veins, promoting blood circulation and proving effective in treating varicose veins.

• PRECAUTIONS

Because of its abortifacient properties, hyssop is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Its use is also considered unsuitable for children.