Herb. No. 095 · Lamiaceae
Eastern Mediterranean and southern European subshrub of dry, limey banks.
Native · Mediterranean
Native Also grown
OpenGentleplant
Hyssop
Hyssopus officinalis
A blue-spike Mediterranean bitter for the chest — a bee plant with a camphor edge.
Garden hyssop is a traditional European lung and bitter herb. Thujone-bearing in the oil, so culinary and short tea use is the path, not a marathon. It is a superb dry-garden bee plant. Distinct from anise hyssop (Agastache), which is another plate in all but name.
Flavor
Camphor, mint, and a clean bitterness — medieval sauce more than dessert.
Parts used
Flowering tops
In favor
- Beautiful blue spikes
- Drought-proof once established
Against
- Oil is thujone-bearing
- Bitter for modern palates