Hyssop is one of the plants mentioned in the Bible. Back then, it seems as if one of its potential uses was as a natural remedy.
Some of the other Biblical plants, including myrrh, spikenard and galbanum, have also been used since ancient times, probably to relieve both physical and mental suffering.
Where To Find Hyssop Essential Oil
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Many people have once again discovered these botanical medicines, which do seem to be a gift from God. They are using them for a wide range of conditions. Today, hyssop essential oil is available online.
In Biblical times, the hyssop plant was used for purifying and cleansing. Similar to the other oils mentioned in Scripture, hyssop is believed to have wide-ranging health benefits. For instance, it’s considered a good support the nervous system and a balm to help soothe frazzled emotions. It’s also thought to be effective in alleviating painful muscle spasms, which can be caused by problems with the nerves.
Since I’m not a medical professional, and can’t give medical advice, I defer to one of the experts.
One of my favorite online health sources is Dr. Joseph Mercola, DO. He has a web page on hyssop essential oil. He said the Biblical plant was an ancient plague remedy used by the Romans. Some of the current uses include wound care, inflammation control, hormone balancing, digestive aid and support during an upper respiratory infection, according to Dr. Mercola.
However, he also tells people, especially those with health problems, to consult a holistic health expert or an aromatherapist before using hyssop essential oil. He says it should not be used by people who have seizures.
I believe this is very good advice. Essential oils are very strong. It’s possible for different people to react to these natural medicines in unexpected ways.
The longer I use essential oils, the more I realize I don’t want to live without them. However, I’ve also developed immense respect for their strength. I use them every day, but I do it sparingly.
It’s never a good idea to apply an aromatic oil directly to your skin. First you need to mix it with a neutral carrier oil, such as organic jojoba oil. A standard recommended dilution ratio is one drop of essential oil to one teaspoon of carrier oil. Make sure to do a small 24-hour test patch first, before using it on a wider area of skin.
I don’t mean to scare you off from using essential oils. They are wonderful, and have so many uses. But we need to be cautious, just as we should be with OTC and prescription drugs.
There’s a lot of bad advice out there. I’ve even seen recommendations for ingesting aromatic oils. This should never be done unless you’re working with a professional, if at all.
Hyssop Essential Oil Benefits
There are only a few scientific studies on the health benefits of hyssop essential oil. However, Scottish researchers did find this aromatic apparently has strong anti-fungal properties.
So our information on the potential health benefits of this distilled plant extract come from its historical use and what various natural health health experts share with us.
Some of the other potential uses for hyssop include:
- Calming painful spasms of the digestive tract. It might be an effective natural remedy when fighting the stomach flu.
- As with other essential oils, hyssop can probably help fight inflammation. Many alternative medical practitioners believe inflammation is one of the root causes of disease. This is one of the oils used by some people with arthritis.
- Hyssop is said to be good when you have a cold. That’s because it likely contains infection-fighting compounds and also has the ability to help loosen chest congestion. (One way to do this would be to put a few drops of hyssop oil in a cold-air diffuser.)
Hyssop essential oil is a relatively uncommon aromatic. Not all companies sell it. The one-ounce bottle of hyssop oil shown above is made by Now Foods. I’ve bought a number of Now products, and I’ve been really happy with them. I like the fact they make it easy for anyone to build an essential oil collection. Typically, once you start using one of these oils, you want to try others. I’ve found that rotating the oils I use seems to make them work better.
Also, I sometimes lose my attraction for a particular scent unless I give it a rest. After a few weeks, I find I love it again. Owning a number of different oils allows me to pick and choose which one seems to work best at a particular moment in time.
Disclaimer
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils.
