Hyssopus officinalis
Hyssopus officinalis Common name: Hyssop
Family: Lamiaceae
Parts used: Aerial
Constituents: Volatile oil (pinocamphone, alpha & beta-pinene, linalool, cineole, limonene), Terpenoids (marrubiin, olanolic acid, ursolic acid), Flavonoids (glycosides of hesperidin & diosmetin), hyssopin glycoside, tannins, resin
Medicinal actions: Stimulant, Antispasmodic, carminative, expectorant, sedative
Medicinal use: Promotes expectoration, relieves asthmatic cough, reduces the inflammation associated with respiratory infections. Hyssop is a diffusive aromatic, stimulating and relaxing with mild tonic properties and an effective carminative for spasmodic GIT disorders. May be used topically as an anti-fungal and to speed the healing of bruises.
Pharmacology:
- VO has non-specific spasmolytic action (primarily to linalool) acting on both receptor-stimulated and on ion-stimulated contractions.
- The terpenoid marrubiin is an expectorant.
- Ursolic acid is anti-inflammatory.
Pharmacy: Infusion: 1-2 tsp/cup water, 1 cup TID. Tincture (1:5, 45%), 2-4 ml TID.
Contraindication: Pregnancy.
Toxicity: None known.
Interactions: None known.