Hyssopus officinalis

Description

Hyssop is a brightly coloured shrub or subshrub that ranges from 30 to in height. The stem is woody at the base, from which grow a number of upright branches. Its leaves are lanceolate, dark green, and from 2 to long.{{Cite book

During the summer, hyssop produces pink, blue (ssp. aristadus), or, more rarely, white fragrant (ssp. f. albus) flowers. These give rise to small oblong tetra-achenes.

History

Main article: Ezov

A plant called hyssop has been in use since classical antiquity. Its name is a direct adaptation from the Greek ὕσσωπος (grc). The Hebrew word אזוב (ezov, esov, or esob) and the Greek word ὕσσωπος probably share a common (but unknown) origin. The name hyssop appears as a translation of ezov in some translations of the Bible, notably in : "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean", but researchers have suggested that the Biblical accounts refer not to the plant currently known as hyssop but rather to one of a number of different herbs, including Origanum syriacum (Syrian oregano, commonly referred to as "bible hyssop"). mentions that 'ezov' was a small plant and some scholars believe it was a wall plant. It was burned with the red heifer () and used for purification of lepers (, ; ), and at Passover it was used to sprinkle the blood of the sacrificial lamb on the doorposts (). A sponge attached to a hyssop branch was used to give Jesus on the cross a drink of vinegar.

Suggestions abound for the modern day correlation of biblical hyssop ranging from a wall plant like moss or fern, to widely used culinary herbs like thyme, rosemary or marjoram. Another suggestion is the caper plant which is known to grow in the rocky soils of the region and along walls.

Hyssop was also used for purgation (religious purification) in Egypt, where, according to Chaeremon the Stoic, the priests used to eat it with bread in order to purify this type of food and make it suitable for their austere diet.

Cultivation

Hyssop is resistant to drought, and tolerant of chalky, sandy soils. It thrives in full sun and warm climates.

Cultivars include 'Blue Flower'.

Harvest

Under optimal weather conditions, herb hyssop is harvested twice yearly, once at the end of spring and once more at the beginning of autumn. The plants are preferably harvested when flowering, to collect the flowering tips.

Once the stalks are cut, they are collected and dried, either stacked on pallets to allow for draining or hung to dry. The actual drying process takes place in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, where the materials are mixed several times to ensure even drying. Drying herbs are kept from exposure to the sun to prevent discoloration and oxidation. The drying process takes approximately six days in its entirety. Once dried, the leaves are removed and both components, leaves and flowers, are chopped finely. The final dried product weighs a third of the initial fresh weight and can be stored for up to 18 months.

Essential oil

The essential oil includes the chemicals thujone and phenol, which give it antiseptic properties.{{Cite book

Uses

Culinary

The fresh herb is commonly used in cooking. Za'atar is a famous Middle Eastern herbal mixture, some versions of which include dried hyssop leaves.

Essence of hyssop can be obtained by steaming, and is used in cooking to a lesser extent.

The plant is commonly used by beekeepers to produce nectar from which western honey bees make a rich and aromatic honey.

Herb hyssop leaves are used as an aromatic condiment. The leaves have a lightly bitter taste due to its tannins, and an intense minty aroma. Due to its intensity, it is used moderately in cooking. The herb is also used to flavor liqueur, and is part of the official formulation of Chartreuse. It is also a key ingredient in many formulations of absinthe.

Herbal medicine

In herbal medicine hyssop is believed to have soothing, expectorant, and cough suppressant properties.{{cite web

Gallery

|File:Gdańsk Portrait of Christoph von Suchten.jpg|Portrait of Christoph von Suchten holding a branch of hyssop in his hand considered in ancient times to be the symbol of faith, physical purity and moral regeneration, 1507, National Museum in Gdańsk |File:Hyssopus officinalis 001.JPG|Hyssopus officinalis |File:HyssopEssentialOil.png|Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) essential oil

References

References

1. Otto Wilhelm Thomé, Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz 1885, Gera, Germany
2. ''Oxford English Dictionary'', 2nd Edition, 1989, ''s.v.'' hyssop
3. Based on the [[Judeo-Arabic]] translation of the word in the works of Rabbi [[Saadia Gaon]] (in his ''Tafsir'', a translation of the Pentateuch, Exodus 12:22), [[David ben Abraham al-Fasi]] (in his Hebrew–Arabic Dictionary of the Bible, known as ''Kitāb Jāmiʿ al-Alfāẓ'', vol. 1, s.v. אזוב), Rabbi [[Jonah ibn Janah]] (''Sefer HaShorashim'' – Book of the Roots, s.v. אזב – ''aleph'', ''zayn'', ''bet''), [[Maimonides]] (in his ''Mishnah'' Commentary, ''Nega'im'' 14:6) and [[Nathan ben Abraham I]] in Mishnah ''Uktzin'' 2:2. The problems with identification arise from Jewish oral tradition where it expressly prohibits Greek hyssop, and where the biblical plant is said to have been identical to the Arabic word, ''zaatar'' (''Origanum syriacum''), and which word is not to be associated with other ''ezobs'' that often bear an additional epithet, such as ''zaatar farsi'' = Persian-hyssop ([[Thymbra capitata]]) and ''zaatar rumi'' = Roman-hyssop ([[Satureja thymbra]]). See: ''[[The Mishnah]]'' (ed. [[Herbert Danby]]), Oxford University Press: Oxford 1977, s.v. ''Negai'im'' 14:6 ([https://archive.org/details/DanbyMishnah/page/n725 p. 696]); ''Parah'' 11:7 [10:7] ([https://archive.org/details/DanbyMishnah/page/n740 p. 711]).
4. (1988). "Identification of biblical hyssop and origin of the traditional use of oregano-group herbs in the Mediterranean region". Economic Botany.
5. R. K. Harrison. (1954). "The Biblical Problem of Hyssop". The Evangelical Quarterly.
6. "Origanum syriacum Bible Hyssop PFAF Plant Database".
7. (1866). "The plants of the Bible, trees and shrubs".
8. "HYSSOP - JewishEncyclopedia.com".
9. {{Bibleverse. John. 19:29. KJV
10. From Chaeremon's ''History of Egypt'', as quoted by [[Porphyry (philosopher). Porphyry]], ''[[On Abstinence from Eating Animals. De Abstinentia]]'' [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/pearse/morefathers/files/porphyry_abstinence_04_book4.htm IV.6.9].
11. (1999). "Plant-induced seizures: reappearance of an old problem". J Neurol.
12. [http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-258-HYSSOP.aspx?activeIngredientId=258&activeIngredientName=HYSSOP Hyssop], WebMD
13. "Hyssop".
14. Marcin Latka. "Portrait of Christoph von Suchten". artinpl.