Hyssop Essential Oil

(Hyssopus officinalis)

Hyssop essential oil comes from the hyssop plant which is a perennial herb that grows to about two feet in height. This evergreen shrub is one of the most attractive plants for the herb garden. It has small, green, lanced shapes leaves and long stalks with bluish-purple flowers in whirls of 6 to 15 blooms.

The small bushy plant has fragrant leaves and the flowers attract bees and butterflies. It is native to southern Europe and grows in gardens in cooler climates around the world. Hyssop leaves add a mint-like flavor to a salad, but must be use in small quantities.

Hyssop essential oil is steam distilled from the leaves and flowering tops to obtain an essence that has a sweet, camphoraceous, warm, spicy-herb undertone.

The oil blends well with Angelica, Lavender, Geranium, Orange, Tangerine, Melissa and Rosemary essential oils.

THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS:

Use as inhalation for:

* bronchial infections

* chest problems

* common cold

* alertness and clarity

* relieve tension and stress

* asthma

* digestive complaints

Use externally for:

* cuts

* bruises

* heal wounds

* sores

* earaches

* rheumatism

Use in bath for:

* nervous exhaustion

* uplifting your spirits

* easing emotional pain

USES:

Inhalation - Add a few drops of hyssop oil to a bowl of steaming hot water and breathe in the steam for a few minutes with a towel draped over your head so you can breathe the essences brought out by the steam.

Vaporization - This is the most preferred method of dispersing micron-size particulates into your environment for aromatherapy benefits. Just add a few drops of essential oil into a diffuser and breathe.

Bathing - Add about six drops of essential oil to a hot bath. Add a dispersant, such as milk or alcohol, this will help to break up the oil on the surface of the water, which helps to keep the oil from sensitizing the skin. Or, you can add 1 teaspoon of golden jojoba (one of my favorites) as the carrier oil to protect the skin.

Massage - Massage oil over the skin by using 15 to 20 drops of the essential oil in 1 ounce of massage oil base.

Compress - Add a few drops of hyssop oil to a cold compress to help clear up bruises.

CAUTION:

* Hyssop should not be used during pregnancy.

* People who suffer from epilepsy should not use Hyssop Essential Oil.