Hyssop is legendary in the alternative medicine world. The herbal plant has been used in medicine since the time of the Ancient Greeks. It’s been used for everything from an antiseptic and household cleaner to an expectorant and a weight loss tea. Here, we’ll cut through the noise and show you everything you need to know about hyssop tea, from its flavor profile to its health benefits and side effects.
Hyssop tea is a soothing and healthy herbal brew that has been valued for its medicinal properties for centuries. The minty, slightly bitter taste of hyssop is great for soothing sore throats, aiding digestion, reducing anxiety, and more Making your own hyssop tea at home is easy whether you’re using fresh or dried herb Read on to learn all about this beneficial tea including how to make it, the health benefits, and some tasty recipe ideas to try.
What is Hyssop?
Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) is a hardy perennial herb that belongs to the mint family Lamiaceae along with other herbs like thyme, oregano, basil and lavender. It has aromatic, jagged leaves and attractive flowers that can be white, blue, pink or purple.
Native to southern Europe, western Asia and northern Africa, hyssop grows wild in grassy areas but also thrives when cultivated in gardens. The flowers and leaves of hyssop plants are commonly used to make herbal teas, essential oils, perfumes and even liqueurs.
Fresh or dried hyssop can be used to brew a refreshing medicinal tea The herb has been valued since ancient times for its soothing and cleansing properties.
Benefits of Hyssop Tea
Drinking hyssop tea provides a range of potential health benefits including:
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Soothes sore throats and coughs due to its anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. The warm liquid also helps relieve irritation.
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Eases anxiety, nervous tension and helps promote relaxation. Certain compounds in hyssop may have mild sedative effects.
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Improves digestion by stimulating bile production and intestinal contractions to relieve gas, bloating and indigestion.
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Acts as an expectorant to loosen mucus, clear congestion and treat coughs. Useful for respiratory infections like bronchitis.
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Contains antioxidants that support immune function and help fight inflammation.
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May help improve circulation and heart health by relaxing blood vessels.
Of course, check with your doctor before using hyssop tea or any herbal remedy as a treatment for health conditions. But as a soothing hot drink, hyssop tea offers great wellness benefits.
How to Make Hyssop Tea
One of the great things about hyssop is that you can use either fresh or dried herb to make a tasty cup of tea. Here is a simple process:
With Fresh Hyssop
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Harvest around 6-8 stems of fresh hyssop leaves and/or flowers. Gently rinse under cool water.
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Add the fresh hyssop and 2 cups freshly boiled water to a teapot or French press.
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Allow the tea to steep for 5-7 minutes then press the leaves before pouring into mugs.
With Dried Hyssop
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Use about 1-2 teaspoons of crumbled dried hyssop leaves per cup of tea.
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Place the dried herb in an infuser basket or teapot and pour freshly boiled water over top.
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Let the dried hyssop steep for at least 7-10 minutes before straining into mugs.
Start with less herb and adjust to taste. Steeping too long can make hyssop tea taste very bitter. For a touch of sweetness, add honey, lemon or other herbs like mint or lemon balm.
Delicious Hyssop Tea Recipes
One of the joys of herbal tea is coming up with tasty blends of ingredients. Here are some delicious hyssop tea recipes to try:
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Throat Soother Tea – Hyssop, grated ginger, lemon juice, raw honey and cayenne pepper for sore throats.
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Tummy Tea – Hyssop, chamomile, fennel and peppermint to aid digestion.
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Antioxidant Hyssop Tea – With hibiscus flowers, rose hips and pomegranate for an antioxidant-rich blend.
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Minty Hyssop Iced Tea – For a refreshing summer drink, steep hyssop with peppermint and chill before pouring over ice.
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Evening Tea – Hyssop, passionflower, lavender and valerian root for relaxation before bed.
Experiment with your own hyssop tea blends using ingredients like citrus, berries, spices and other soothing herbs.
Growing Hyssop in the Garden
One of the easiest herbs to grow, hyssop is a great addition to any herb garden. Here are some tips for growing your own hyssop:
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Plant hyssop in a location with full sun and well-draining soil. Amend soil with compost if needed.
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Space hyssop plants around 18-24 inches apart. They typically reach 1-2 feet tall and wide at maturity.
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Start hyssop from seeds in spring after the last frost. You can also buy starter plants or take cuttings from existing plants.
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Water hyssop regularly until established. Mature plants are quite drought tolerant.
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Harvest leaves and flowers as needed once plants are established. Cut stems above a leaf node to encourage regrowth.
Having your own hyssop plants means you can enjoy fresh tea anytime! Plus, drying or freezing extra hyssop means you’ll have homegrown tea all year long.
Final Thoughts
From its minty-licorice flavor to its multitude of potential wellness benefits, hyssop tea is a great herbal beverage to add to your repertoire. It’s simple to make using either fresh or dried hyssop leaves and flowers. Brew yourself a warm cup of this soothing tea the next time you’re feeling under the weather or just need a little relaxation. Experiment with fun hyssop tea blends and consider growing hyssop in your herb garden for a ready supply of this medicinal plant.
What Is Hyssop Tea?
Hyssop is a plant that is native to the Middle East and Southern Europe. It features purple and pink flowers and leaves that offer a slightly bitter flavor thanks to a high concentration of tannins and catechins. The plant is often used in cooking, as a tea, and to flavor liqueur such as Chartreuse. The plant is also commonly used in alternative medicine and was used as a medicinal herb in Ancient Greek times. There are two types of hyssop plant used to make tea: Hyssop officinalis and Agastache foeniculum, also known by the common name anise hyssop.
The hyssop plant is a member of the mint family and the leaves offer an intense minty aroma. True hyssop tea —made using Hyssop Officinalis leaves — has hints of minty flavor and a mildly bitter aftertaste. Anise hyssop tea blends hints of licorice and mint with an undertone of fennel seed flavors.
Try Hyssop Tea Today
Brew up a cup of delicious hyssop tea today and enjoy the vibrant minty flavor and underlying licorice notes. The tea brews best using boiling water. Make sure to allow the hyssop leaves to steep for 5 to 8 minutes. For the best flavor, stick to loose leaf tea rather than tea bags. Tea bags are often made using the crushed-up leaves and dust of tea leaves, resulting in poorer flavor quality and fewer compounds such as flavonoids and tannins that are responsible for the plant’s health benefits. The tea can be made using fresh leaves from plants grown in your garden in North America or by using dried herbs from the grocery store, herbalists at the farmers market, or your favorite tea shop.
Hyssop is legendary in the alternative medicine world. The herbal plant has been used in medicine since the time of the Ancient Greeks. It’s been used for everything from an antiseptic and household cleaner to an expectorant and a weight loss tea. Here, we’ll cut through the noise and show you everything you need to know about hyssop tea, from its flavor profile to its health benefits and side effects.
How to make Hyssop Tea
FAQ
What part of hyssop is used for tea?
For hyssop tea, the leaves and flowers of the Hyssopus officinalis are typically used. These parts are either used fresh or dried to prepare the tea according to Sencha Tea Bar.
Can I drink hyssop tea every day?
Three cups can be drunk per day. Alternatively, 1–4 ml of tincture can be taken three times per day. If hyssop is being used to help soothe a sore throat, gargle with the tea or tincture before swallowing.
Who should not use hyssop?
People taking anti-seizure medication or who have diagnosed seizure disorders should avoid products with hyssop. Children should also avoid hyssop products, because the seizure-causing effect appears to be stronger in children. People who are pregnant or may become pregnant should avoid hyssop entirely.
What part of hyssop is edible?
How to cook with Hyssop. Both the flowers and leaves are edible, and while the flowers are often used as garnishes, the leaves can flavor meats, fish, vegetables, salads, sweets, and liqueurs, even substituting for mint or sage.