Hyssop - what is it? Hyssop: useful properties, application, photo

Hyssop was used since ancient times as a medicinal plant, which can cure a huge number of diseases. And today it is actively used in folk medicine. Today we will talk about a plant such as hyssop - what is it that has an effect on the body, which has properties. And also, in what form it is better to take in certain diseases, what contraindications does it have.

Description of the plant

Hyssop, useful properties and contraindications which will be described in detail in this article, grows on the territory of Asia, the middle belt of Russia, the Mediterranean, in the south of Siberia, in the Caucasus. He prefers gentle dry hills, stony slopes, and also a steppe terrain.

Hyssop is a perennial fragrant plant, having the form of a half-shrub with oblong or linear leaves. Flowers are irregular in shape, they are white, blue or pink. They are collected in apical spike inflorescence.

Varieties

Hyssop (what it is, we are now considering) is a perennial plant that has about 50 species. It is used in cooking as an aromatic seasoning, in folk medicine, as well as in decorative art.

Collection

The medicinal raw material of the hyssop plant, the photo of which is presented in this article, is its overground part, or more precisely, the leafy shoots collected at the beginning of flowering. For example, the tops of stems, whose length should not be more than 20 cm, are carefully cut, tied into small bundles and dried in a ventilated room or under a canopy. In the future, the dried raw materials are crushed, then stored in a glass jar, cardboard bags or wardrobe bags.

A properly dried plant is characterized by a bitter taste and a pungent odor.

Chemical composition

Hyssop, whose useful properties will be described in detail below, contains oleanolic and ursolic acids, flavonoids, essential oils, tannins, bitterness, tannins.

Beneficial features

The shrub is very useful. It is used as an expectorant, laxative, wound-healing and antihelminthic.

Preparations of this plant have antiseptic, as well as antimicrobial effect.

Hyssop at the expense of its antispasmodic properties soothes the pain in the stomach. The means based on the half-shrub increase blood pressure, and also act against various types of fungus.

What heals hyssop?

Hyssop in folk medicine is used in the treatment of such conditions and diseases as:

• bronchial asthma;
• Catarrh of the upper respiratory tract;
• Chronical bronchitis;
• cough;
• Diseases of the mouth;
• chest pain;
• Angina pectoris;
• pulmonary tuberculosis;
• neurosis;
• Disturbed digestion;
• Diseases of the digestive tract ;
• angina;
• rheumatism;
• Inflammation of the urinary tract;
• conjunctivitis;
• Wounds;
• Worms;
• Bruises;
• Ulcers;
• Burns;
• stomatitis;
• Climacterium;
• Profuse sweating;
• Inflammation of the eyes;
• flatulence;
• constipation;
• Chronic colitis;
• eczema;
• anemia;
• Joint diseases;
• laryngitis;
• pharyngitis;
• tracheitis;
• Hematomas;
• Hoarseness of voice;
• Furuncles;
• dermatitis;
• herpes;
• arthritis;
• hemorrhoids;
• gout;
• dropsy;
• memory loss;
• Diseases of the spleen;
• Night blindness ;
• Gynecological diseases;
• pleurisy.

Hyssop flowers

Flowers and leaves of hyssop are used to treat various skin diseases, bruises and wounds. In addition, infusions and decoctions from these parts of the plant are used externally for rinsing, and inflammation is removed in the oral cavity. Preparations from these parts of this curative half-shrub are shown for various gastrointestinal problems.

Seeds

Seeds of hyssop are not used for medicinal purposes.

Grass

The leaves and stems of the plant were hyssop applied to the treatment of the diseases listed above, inside and outside.

Broth

Decoction of flowers and leaves of hyssop is indicated in the treatment of diseases such as:

• Chronical bronchitis;
• Catarrh of the respiratory tract;
• bronchial asthma;
• angina.

In addition, the broth eliminates the inflammation of the urinary tract. It is prepared as follows: 100 g of stems and flowers of the plant are poured with a liter of hot water and boiled for 5 minutes. Add half a cup of sugar, then the broth is consumed per day for 100 ml.

Tincture

With meteorism and chronic colitis , preparations from a plant such as hyssop are used. What it is, we already know. The tincture is used externally as an accelerating wound healing of compresses.

For its preparation, 100 g of herb plants should be filled with a liter of white dry wine. Then the tincture is removed for 3 weeks in a cool and dark place, while the means should be shaken regularly. Before use, the tincture is filtered. It is consumed three times a day by a teaspoonful.

Infusion

The infusion of the hyssop (photos of the healing half-shrub you can see here) excites the secretion of our digestive glands, besides, it increases the appetite and reduces the fermenting processes occurring in the intestine. It is applied externally with diseases of the pharynx and oral cavity for rinsing, in addition, with conjunctivitis they are washed eyes. It is proved that it helps to get rid of the herpes virus, therefore, hyssop is used externally for exacerbation of this disease.

20 g of chopped and dry grass should be placed in a thermos, after which pour a liter of hot water, leave for 25 minutes. Infusion is taken in half a cup 3 times a day.

Syrup

As an expectorant, the syrup of the hyssop is used.

What it is? This means, which is prepared from 100 grams of raw materials per liter of boiling water. The resulting mixture is insisted for half an hour. Then 1.5 kilograms of sugar are added to it, then it is evaporated to the consistency of a viscous syrup. Use the product up to 5 times a day for a tablespoon.

Essential oil

To obtain the essential oil of hyssop, the flowering tops of the shoots of the plant are treated by distillation with steam of water. Finished oil differs green-yellow, sweetish tart aroma and fluidity.

Application in Cooking

For prevention of various colds, strengthening immunity, as well as raising vitality and giving spicy flavor and flavor to the dishes, hyssop also found use.

In cooking, fresh tops of twigs and leaves of the plant are used. They are added to soups, minced meat, sausages, pates. In addition, hyssop is perfectly combined with various dishes prepared from cottage cheese, dill and parsley, fennel and celery, mint, basil and marjoram, but in vegetable garnishes it is desirable to add this seasoning carefully, so that dishes do not give a bitter taste.

The plant will improve the taste of various dishes, which include peas and beans. It is used when pickling cucumbers, tomatoes and olives. In the countries of the East, hyssop is used in the manufacture of beverages.

It is necessary to observe the norms of laying this spice on one portion of the product. For example, in the first dishes you need to add up to 0.5 g of greens, while in the second dishes - about 0.3 grams, for sauces the norm is 0.2 g of dry plant.

After its addition, you can not cover the dishes with a lid, otherwise you can spoil the flavor of food.

Contraindications

Hyssop also has contraindications. It refers to potent plants, therefore, its use must be approached with extreme caution. To begin with, a visit to a specialist is recommended, which will help you choose the right dosage. It should be borne in mind that long-term hyssop intake is undesirable without interruptions.

In large doses, the plant is capable of provoking spasms, therefore, it is contraindicated in people with epilepsy. To take this spice with extreme caution should be treated people who suffer from hypertension, high acidity of the stomach, as well as kidney disease.

With attention to the use of this plant, pregnant and lactating women should be approached, and only after consultation with the attending physician.

In general, follow the doctor's instructions and stay healthy!