The Holy Herb: 10 Uses For Hyssop Oil You Need To Know About
Mar 9th 2017
Chances are you haven’t heard of numerous uses and benefits this essential oil has to offer, let alone even heard of the hyssop plant itself. Also known as the “holy herb”, hyssop is mentioned many times in the Holy Bible. Used by powerful biblical leaders, like David, Moses, Solomon, and Jesus, hyssop cleansed and purified mankind, both internally and externally.
This incredible plant has been used throughout history. The Greeks used hyssop for respiratory problems. Persians used hyssop in a type of body lotion to give the skin a fine color. Indians used it to reduce body tissue fluids, to alleviate bruises, and to soothe cuts and wounds.
Here are 10 reasons why we should once again embrace these benefits, and restore hyssop oil to its rightful place as a therapeutic leader.
Hyssop Oil Uses
Hyssop oil is deemed one of the strongest antiviral essential oils out there because it contains nearly every type of chemical compound found in essential oils. However, the oil is still mild and gentle.Hyssop oil is used in aromatherapy to treat problems linked to the respiratory and digestive systems. It can also be used to bring relief to arthritic pain, sores, bruises, toothaches, and ear pain. It contributes to the regulation of blood pressure, acts as a calming substance for anxiety and hysteria, and can also used to fight signs of aging.
Therapeutic Uses
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Hyssop Oil Benefits
Benefit #1: Aids Respiratory System
Hyssop is antispasmodic, meaning it relieves spasms in the respiratory system and soothes coughs. It’s also an expectorant — it loosens phlegm that has been deposited in the respiratory tracts. This property helps heal infections from the common cold, and it helps treat respiratory conditions, such as serving as a bronchitis natural remedy. Coughing is a common reaction of the respiratory system trying to expel harmful microbes, dust or irritants, so hyssop oil’s antispasmodic and antiseptic properties make it one of the best herbs for asthma as well as a great natural treatment for coughs and other respiratory conditions.
Hyssop can also work as a remedy for sore throats and lung inflammation, making it a great tool for people who use their voices throughout the day, like teachers, singers and lecturers. The best way to soothe the throat and respiratory system is to add a few drops of oil to your throat and chest.
Benefit #2: Helps Digestion
Hyssop oil is a stimulant, so it increases the production of secretions, like bile, digestive enzymes and acid. These gastric juices are necessary in order to break down food as it makes its way to the stomach. We have digestive juices that contain enzymes in order to speed up the chemical reactions in the body and break down food into nutrients.
By facilitating digestion, hyssop oil helps with the decomposition of complex proteins, carbohydrates and nutrients. Because the digestive system interacts with all other body systems, including the nervous, endocrine and immune systems, the role that hyssop plays as a stimulant is very beneficial. Hyssop oil can also be helpful with releasing gas and indigestion.
Benefit #3: Rejuvenates Skin
Hyssop is a cicatrisant which means it is perfect for treating skin problems. For example, hyssop oil can be used on insect bites, rashes, boils, and even pox. It may even be used on scars to make them disappear quicker and it is also one of the great home remedies for acne.
Furthermore, hyssop essential oil is also found to provide benefit in age-related skin problems, such as sagging and wrinkles. It promotes cellular regeneration as well as the growth of new skin which means will help minimize the appearance of blemishes as well as make stretch marks and acne scars fade away. Because hyssop is an antiseptic, like tea tree oil, it kills bacteria on the skin and fights infections.
Benefit #4: Fights Infection
Hyssop prevents infections from developing in wounds and cuts. Because of its antiseptic properties, when it’s applied to an opening of the skin, it fights infection and kills bacteria. Hyssop also helps in healing deep cuts and scars. It has antibiotic properties from the plant’s volatile oils. While the antibiotic properties are generally strong, they show the best results on shallow wounds and fungus infections.
A study done at the Department of Virology, Hygiene Institute in Germany tested hyssop oil’s ability to fight genital herpes by testing plaque reduction. Genital herpes is a chronic, persistent infection that is spread efficiently and silently as a sexually transmitted disease. The study found that hyssop oil lowered plaque formation by more than 90 percent, proving that the oil interacted with the virus and serves as a therapeutic application for the treatment of herpes.
Benefit #5: Increases Circulation
An increase in blood flow or circulation in the body benefits the heart and the body’s muscles and arteries. Hyssop oil improves and promotes circulation because of its anti-rheumatic properties. By increasing circulation, hyssop oil can work as a natural remedy for gout, rheumatism, arthritis and swelling. Your heart rate lowers when your blood circulates properly, and then your heart muscles relax and your blood pressure flows evenly throughout the body, affecting every organ.
So many people are looking for natural arthritis cures because it can be a crippling condition. Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, occurs when cartilage between joints wears down, causing inflammation and pain. By increasing circulation, hyssop oil inhibits swelling and inflammation, allowing the blood to flow through the body and relieve the pressure that builds up because of clogged arteries.
Benefit #6: Fights Parasites
Hyssop has the ability to fight parasites, which are organisms that feed off the nutrients of other organisms. Some examples of parasites include tapeworm, fleas, hookworms and flukes. Because it’s a vermifuge, hyssop oil expels parasitic worms, especially in the intestines. When a parasite lives in and feed on its host, it disrupts nutrient absorption and causes weakness and disease. If the parasite is living in the intestines, it disrupts the digestive and immune systems.
Therefore, hyssop can be a key part of a parasite cleanse, as hyssop helps many systems in the body and ensures that your needed nutrients aren’t taken by these dangerous organisms.
Benefit #7: Relieves Dysmenorrhea
Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for menstrual cramps. As hyssop is an emmenagogue it can help women with irregular, obstructed, painful or exhausting menstruation. This opens up menses, makes it regular and also helps overcome symptoms related with menses like nausea, headache, pain in lower abdomen, fatigue, loss of appetite, and mood swings. Hyssop helps regulate irregular menstrual cycles and can also be used to address symptoms of menopause.
Benefit #8: Relieves Muscle Pain and Spasms
Almost everybody has likely experienced discomfort in his or her muscles at some point. Because almost every part of the body has muscle tissue, this type of pain can be felt practically anywhere. A study done at the Department of Pharmacology of Natural Substances and General Physiology in Italy found that hyssop oil had muscle-relaxing activity when it was tested on guinea pig and rabbit intestines. The hyssop oil treatment inhibited contractions and reduced the amplitude of spontaneous movements. Hyssop oil’s antispasmodic properties helps treat muscle aches, cramps and charley horses naturally.
In addition, hyssop oil helps the body rid itself of excessive salts, fluids, sodium and other toxic substances through urine. As a natural diuretic, hyssop oil reduces inflammation, swelling and rheumatic pain.
Benefit #9: Supports Healthy Immune Response
Hyssop improves circulation and digestion, while it kills bacteria and parasites — all of these benefits boost the immune system to work properly. By decreasing inflammation and allowing blood to run through our organs, hyssop oil maintains the function of the entire body.
One promising study done at the Department of Medicine, North Shore University Hospital in New York found that hyssop extracts contain caffeic acid, unidentified tannins and possibly a third class of unidentified higher molecular weight compounds that exhibit strong anti-HIV activity — thus, it may be useful in the treatment of patients with AIDS. The antiviral activity of hyssop’s compounds prove to be useful in fighting life-threatening diseases.
Benefit #10: Enables Peace Of Mind
The hyssop plant has a calming effect and this is why it is often used to treat anxiety. Another common medicinal use is for the prevention of seizures and works well for treating petit mal, which is a form of epilepsy. Hyssop essential oil is uplifting and increases alertness. It is also a gentle and relaxing nerve tonic suitable for treating not only anxiety but also depression. Furthermore, use of hyssop essential oil eases feelings of grief, nervous exhaustion, and guilt.
Being a nervine means that hyssop oil serves as a tonic for the nervous system. This keeps the nervous system healthy, and in good working order which in turn helps avoid nervous disorders. It is effective in cases of vertigo, nervousness and convulsions as well. Hyssop essential oil is a good nervine and tones up the entire nervous system. Hyssop oil can also help with mental clarity, concentration and meditation as well as relieving stress-related disorders.
How to Use Hyssop Oil
- As an antiseptic, use 2-3 drops on a cotton ball or swab and apply to wounds.
- To help relieve anxiety, mental fatigue, nervous tension, and stress- related disorders, and to aid clarity, concentration, and creativity, and for meditation, use 2-3 drops in a diffuser.
- For appetite loss, bloating, and poor digestion, add 2-3 drops in a carrier oil and massage over entire abdominal area.
- For bronchitis, coughs, excess phlegm, and other respiratory problems, there are three different ways to use hyssop: use 2-3 drops in a diffuser, or combine 2-3 drops in 1 ounce of carrier oil, and rub mixture on chest. Can also place 2-3 drops on a cotton ball or handkerchief and breathe in periodically.
- To boost circulation, use 4-6 drops in 2 ounces of carrier oil and massage over entire body.
- To help heal cuts and wounds, dilute with water, place on cotton ball, and dab affected areas.
- If emotions are running wild, use 2-3 drops in a diffuser.
- To help with low blood pressure, use 3-5 drops in a diffuser regularly.
- For menstrual problems, like bloating and water retention, use 2-3 drops in 1 ounce of carrier oil and massage on lower abdomen and lower back area. Can also use 8-10 drops in bath water.
- For sore throats, tonsillitis, or whooping cough, use 3-5 drops in a steam inhalation.
Possible Side Effects and Precautions
Hyssop is considered safe for most people in the amounts commonly found in foods and in medicinal amounts. It’s not safe to use hyssop during pregnancy because it might cause the uterus to contract or start menstruation, and these effects could lead to a miscarriage. It’s not known whether hyssop is safe to use during breastfeeding, so avoid using it or speak to your doctor first. Do not give hyssop to children; convulsions were reported in a child who took 2–3 drops of hyssop oil over several days.
If you have a history of seizures, do not use hyssop because it may trigger seizures or make them worse. When using hyssop oil, do not exceed 30 drops a day because it’s a convulsant and may increase your risk of having a seizure. Hyssop is also known to increase blood pressure, which can be beneficial to people with low blood pressure, but problematic for people who are trying to lower their levels.
Sources:
Dr. Axe
Mercola
http://articles.mercola.com/herbal-oils/hyssop-oil.aspx
Organic Facts
The Healthy Haven Blog
http://thehealthyhavenblog.com/2010/11/15/suggested-uses-for-hyssop-essential-oils/
Everyday Herbal Remedies
http://www.everydayherbalremedies.com/hyssop-plant.html
Every Green Herb