10 Amazing Benefits of Hyssop Tea

Last Updated on July 23, 2018 by Marc Seward

Inside the True Benefits of Hyssop Tea

When it comes to tea, most people tend to stick to the basics. If it’s not green tea, chai tea, or chamomile tea, many probably won’t know about it. Of course, there are plenty of types of teas available on the market and each of them provides different benefits. Overall, there are a lot of teas that you might not know and doing a little bit of research could uncover a lot of surprising facts. Today we are looking at hyssop tea and its amazing health benefits.

What Is Hyssop Tea?

Some people might not know that there are many different types of teas outside of just the typical popular ones that you might find at the store. Herbal teas can be made with almost anything, whether it be natural herbs or even flowers. Because of that, it’s not uncommon to see teas with strange names that you’ve never heard of before.

Hyssop tea, in particular, is made from the leaves of the herbaceous plant named hyssop, scientifically or botanically known as Hyssopus officinalis. The plant is native to areas of Southern Europe and the Middle East. The leaves can be used either fresh or dry and it produces a taste that slightly resembles mint although it has added floral tones as well.

The hyssop plant, or Hyssopus officinalis, has been traditionally grown and used for medical purposes since ancient times and it has always been considered to be a very important element in ancient cultures. Today, it is still considered to be very important. Because of the plant’s beauty, many people grow the herb in their own backyards for its ornamental appeal.

Hyssop may also be known as hisopo, curdukotu, Yanagi-Hakka, or hastipippili. It is a part of the Lamiaceae, or mint, family. Other popular herbs that are part of this family include peppermint, catnip, thyme, sage, basil, and lavender. The flowers bloom between June and October and they are a vibrant purple or blue color.

History of Hyssop

As mentioned, hyssop has been used since ancient, traditional times and it was even mentioned in the bible. Originally, the herb’s purpose was for cleansing and it was most commonly used in “sick rooms” to purify the air. As early as the 7th century, hyssop was used for cleansing and purifying the air in sacred locations. Sometimes, they would even use it to sweep the floors in hopes of extra sanitization.

Skip to ancient Rome, where they would use hyssop to protect them from the plague. Ancient Romans would also use hyssop in various cooking recipes. On the other hand, the Greeks would use the herb medically to treat respiratory disorders that affected the throat and lungs. Biblical references mention hyssop tea as a way to cleanse the soul of sins and it would often be taken at Passover.

Hyssop was brought to the United States of America but it was still used in Europe to treat a variety of medical conditions. It was most frequently used as a way to stop the spreading of infections. It was around this time that the herb also started being used ornamentaly in gardens for its beauty and vibrant flowers.

Today, the herb is still used ornamentaly as well as in cooking recipes and for both medical and cosmetic purposes. Its taste is bitter and slightly spicy but it still steeps into a great tea that many people still love today.

The Health Benefits of Hyssop Tea

Hyssop tea is full of very beneficial nutrients and compounds including tannins, rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, flavonoids, resins, bitter lactone, and glycosides. It also contains volatile oil, which means that it evaporates easily. Overall, the nutrients provide a lot of significant health and cosmetic benefits that can be obtained by either drinking the tea or even using it topically.

Hyssop Tea for Cold and Flu

People typically advise you to drink a hot cup of tea whenever you feel as though you may be getting sick but there actually are certain types of teas that can help fight cold and flu symptoms as well as other respiratory diseases.

Hyssop tea can help fight colds and reduce inflammation, making you feel better in no time. Drinking a cup of hyssop tea may also help clear up congestion in the lungs. Because it is an expectorant, it can clear your body of phlegm and other toxins, especially from the airways.

Hyssop tea also encourages sweating, which can help you get through the flu more quickly and bring your temperature down at those times. These abilities would be especially beneficial if you have bronchitis or pneumonia.

Generally speaking, the tea provides a much-needed boost to your immune system and it also strengthens your respiratory system, which would let you breathe better during times of illness.

Hyssop Tea for Coughs and Sore Throat

If you have a sore throat or an uncontrollable cough, you could also benefit from gargling hyssop tea before you drink it. Hyssop has antispasmodic properties meaning that it can relieve spasms that occur in the respiratory system and relieve coughing.

It also has excellent expectorant properties meaning that it can help tom loosen the build up of phlegm and mucus in the respiratory tract. By doing this, it can relieve coughing but can also help to clear up infections like those caused by the cold and works as a natural remedy for bronchitis.

Coughing can be extremely uncomfortable and highly irritating but is simply a reaction to your respiratory system working to expel irritants, dust and harmful microbes. Because of its outstanding antiseptic and antispasmodic properties, hyssop tea is a wonderful natural remedy for your persistent cough.

Hyssop is also an excellent remedy for a sore throat. You can either gargle or drink some hyssop tea or apply some hyssop oil topically to your chest and throat area.

Hyssop Tea for Digestion

If you’re having digestive problems, drinking a cup of hyssop tea may be a good way to help treat the condition. For example, the tea could help cases of heartburn, indigestion, or other digestive issues that may be caused by some kind of nervous condition. Generally speaking, drinking the tea could help soothe the lining of your stomach.

Pain caused by cramps or intestinal indigestion could also be relieved with a cup of hyssop tea. It may also help reduce symptoms such as gas, colic, IBS, bloating, and flatulence. The tea acts as a laxative and flushes out the colon to remove waste from the body. Hyssop tea is also sometimes used to rid the body of digestive worms in a similar way that it expels waste from the colon.

Hyssop Tea for Weight Loss

Because of the digestive benefits that hyssop tea does provide, drinking it might also help manage any weight issues you may have. Since it helps your stomach and intestines to work more efficiently, unnecessary waste and fat would be removed more quickly. With that said, the tea may also increase your appetite so you should be sure to eat healthy foods if weight loss is your goal.

Hyssop Tea as a Sedative

Much like its more famous cousin lavender from the same scientific family, hyssop tea may also be brewed for its calming properties. It can help relieve muscle tension and calm the nerves. Drinking this tea before going to bed could help clear your mind and help you fall asleep more quickly.

You may also drink hyssop tea if you are experiencing an anxiety attack as it can help to stabilize your blood pressure and calm your stomach. These properties could help calm your nerves and ease your anxiety. Its natural sedative abilities could also be used to reduce inflammation and soothe the pain associated with rheumatism and joint stiffness.

Antimicrobial Benefits of Hyssop Tea

Hyssop tea can be applied to the skin topically to help prevent infections from developing in cuts, grazes, bites and minor wounds. It has outstanding antiseptic properties that can help kill bacteria and prevent infection from spreading.

While there have been no studies done on the topical use of hyssop tea, research has been conducted to evaluate the ability of hyssop oil to treat viral infections. One study conducted in Germany looked at the effect of hyssop oil on genital herpes which is a chronic and persistent infection spread silently and very effectively.

The researchers found that hyssop reduced plaque formation by a whopping 90%, demonstrating that the plant’s oil had an affect in the virus and may have applications for the treatment of herpes in the future. (1)

Hyssop Tea for Muscle Pain

because of its antispasmodic properties, hyssop team may also have a relaxant effect on the muscles. Again, there is no evidence to suggest that hyssop tea will work but research has demonstrated that hyssop oil can help relax the muscles throughout the body.

According to a study done on rabbit and guinea pig intestines, treatment with hyssop oil inhibited muscle contractions and spontaneous muscle movements. (2) Potentially, applying hyssop tea as part of a topical treatment or applied in a compress can help soothe muscle cramps, aches and charley horse.

Hyssop Tea for the Heart

Because drinking hyssop tea can help stimulate circulation and manage stable blood pressure levels, it could also generally improve the health of your heart. It could also be used as a heart tonic to flush out any toxins or elements that could pose a threat to the health of your heart.

Hyssop tea is also commonly used as a prevention for heart disease as it maintains blood sugar levels and reduces bad cholesterol levels in the body. Drinking a cup of the tea could also help strengthen your blood vessels and prevent blood clots. Overall, this could help you avoid a lot of heart problems over time.

Hyssop Tea for Hormones

Although it’s not nearly as significant of a benefit as the others, hyssop tea may still do a lot of good for the balance of your hormones as well. Hyssop tea can help cleanse your liver and improve its ability to balance hormones. Because of this, it could help regulate menstrual cycles. Uterine fibroid discomfort could also be treated by its ability to increase blood flow to the area of the pelvis.

External Uses of Hyssop Tea

For people who want to expand the benefits that hyssop tea can provide them or for people who simply don’t quite like to drink tea, you can also use it topically for a variety of purposes. For example, it has antiseptic properties that could make it good when used to wash out cuts, scrapes, bruises, and other types of wounds. Doing this would speed up the regeneration of tissue and reduce the risk of infection.

Soaking in a bath of hyssop tea could also help relieve muscle pain, especially if it may be associated with rheumatism. You could also use it as a typical facial or skin care product. Its cleansing properties could also be used to make a wash for fungal infections on the foot, such as athlete’s foot. You may also choose to use it to treat other skin ailments such as sunburns, irritations, bug bites, or stings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of hyssop tea?

Hyssop tea has a number of excellent health benefits. It is a popular and very effective home remedy for sore throats, coughs, colds and flu. It may also help improve digestive health, support the immune system and give your heart a boost. Hyssop tea can also be used topically to treat cuts and minor wounds or as part of a compress to sooth muscle aches and pains.

What does hyssop tea taste like?

Hyssop has a very strong flavor and aroma similar to fennel seeds or a combination of mint and licorice. Hyssop tea tastes surprisingly sweet and not bitter as you may expect. Nevertheless, the taste and anise-like fragrance is not for everybody and is something of an acquired taste. You may like to sweeten it slightly preferable with honey.

Is hyssop tea good for the skin?

The simple answer is yes. Apart from drinking the stuff, hyssop tea can also be applied topically to the skin. It has excellent antiseptic properties that can help cleanse your wounds and nip infections in the bud. You could also use it as part of your facial treatment to clean your face and possibly treat conditions like acne.

How to Make Hyssop Tea

It is very easy to make hyssop tea by following these very simple instructions.

Put 2 cups of water in a pot and bring it to the boil.
Once the water is boiling, add two heaped tablespoons of hyssop leaves.
Simmer for a short time and then remove from the heat.
Let the mixture steep for at least 20 minutes then serve it up.
The tea is quite sweet but add a little honey if you need it.
Drink it up two or three times a day.

Side Effects

Before trying any new tea or herb, you should make sure that you’re not allergic to it first. Speak with your doctor to be sure or if you are going to use it topically, you can try a small patch test on your arm to see if your skin has an allergic reaction to it all.

It is also important to speak with your doctor to make sure that hyssop tea won’t interfere with any current medical conditions, especially if you already have abnormally low blood sugar.

Final Thoughts

Hyssop tea is not as well known as many herbal teas but it comes with a range of potential health benefits. Hyssop tea is an excellent natural remedy for cold, flu, bronchitis, coughs and sore throat. It may also help improve your heart’s health and boost your digestion. As well as its physical benefits, hyssop tea can have a positive effect on your stress and anxiety.

Have you ever drunk hyssop tea? If so, let us know what you thought of its effects.

(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17976968
(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11914956