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Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph

Hyssop

Hyssopus officinalis

Family LamiaceaeParts used Flower, Leaf, StemAlso known as common hyssop

This monograph compiles 3 pharmacological actions, 6 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 14 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory[8, 13, 14]
Antioxidant[5, 10, 12, 13, 14]
Expectorant[7, 8, 13, 14]

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain[13, 14]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →
Bronchitis[13, 14]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from expectorant action

more plants for bronchitis →detailed sources →
Cough[13, 14]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from expectorant action

more plants for cough →detailed sources →
Inflammation (general)[13, 14]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →
Respiratory support[13, 14]Traditional · 1/10
more plants for respiratory support →detailed sources →
Skin irritation[13, 14]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note[13, 14]Caution

Generally safe at therapeutic doses. Hyssop essential oil is neurotoxic in high doses (contains pinocamphone and isopinocamphone) — internal use of the essential oil is contraindicated, especially in epilepsy, pregnancy, and children. The herb (dried or fresh) at normal tea doses does not carry this risk. Not recommended internally in medicinal doses during pregnancy.

Safety note[13, 14]Caution

Duke (2002) rates hyssop as ++ and notes clinical evidence (score 2) for antiviral activity, particularly against herpes simplex virus, which is notable clinical validation for this herb. It also demonstrates experimental antibacterial, antispasmodic, and expectorant activities. Duke warns that hyssop essential oil is potentially convulsant at higher doses (due to pinocamphone content) and should not be used in epilepsy or by children. Dose: 2–3 g dried herb as tea three times daily; no more than 0.3 ml of essential oil internally. Avoid in pregnancy due to emmenagogue properties (Duke, 2002).

References

REF-0845, REF-0846, REF-0847, REF-1800, REF-1801, REF-1802, REF-1803, REF-1804, REF-1805, REF-1806, REF-1807, REF-1808

References & Sources

  1. Atazhanova, G., Ishmuratova, M., Levaya, Y., Smagulov, M. and Lakomkina, Y (2024) 'The Genus Hyssopus: Traditional Use, Phytochemicals and Pharmacological Properties', Plants (Basel), 13(12), pp. 1683. doi:10.3390/plants13121683 Traditional / reference
    https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13121683
  2. Sharifi-Rad, J., Quispe, C., Kumar, M., Akram, M. et al (2022) 'Hyssopus Essential Oil: An Update of Its Phytochemistry, Biological Activities, and Safety Profile', Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2022, pp. 8442734. doi:10.1155/2022/8442734 Traditional / reference
    https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/8442734
  3. Gharakhani-Beni, A., Ghasemi Pirbalouti, A., Javanmard, H., Soleymani, A. and Golparvar, A (2022) 'Chemical compositions, yield and antioxidant activity of the essential oil of hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.) under intercropping with fenugreek', Natural Product Research, 37(4), pp. 675-680. doi:10.1080/14786419.2022.2078971 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2022.2078971
  4. Fatahinezhad, N., Lorigooini, Z., Arabi, M., Rabiei, Z., Sheykhshabani, S.K. and Rafieian-Kopaei, M (2022) 'Effects of Hyssopus Officinalis Hydroalcoholic Extract on Pentylenetetrazol-Induced Convulsive Seizures in Rat', Neurochemical Research, 47(12), pp. 3792-3804. doi:10.1007/s11064-022-03759-x Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-022-03759-x
  5. Tahir, M., Rahman, M.A. and Khushtar, M (2019) 'Gastroprotective effect of Hyssopus officinalis L. leaves via reduction of oxidative stress in indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in experimental rats', Drug and Chemical Toxicology, 45(1), pp. 291-300. doi:10.1080/01480545.2019.1685537 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1080/01480545.2019.1685537
  6. Khaksar, S., Kiarostami, K. and Alinaghi, S (2022) 'The Effects of Methanol Extracts of Hyssopus officinalis on Model of Induced Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) in Rats', Journal of Molecular Neuroscience, 72(9), pp. 2045-2066. doi:10.1007/s12031-022-02058-y Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s12031-022-02058-y
  7. Ghasempour, M., Hosseini, M., Soltani-Zangbar, M.S., Motavalli, R., Aghebati-Maleki, L., Dolati, S., Mehdizadeh, A., Yousefi, M. and Ahmadian Heris, J (2022) 'The impact of Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) extract on activation of endosomal toll like receptors and their downstream signaling pathways', BMC Research Notes, 15(1), pp. 366. doi:10.1186/s13104-022-06253-3 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-022-06253-3
  8. Ma, X., Ma, X., Ma, Z., Wang, J., Sun, Z., Yu, W., Li, F. and Ding, J (2014) 'Effect of Hyssopus officinalis L. on inhibiting airway inflammation and immune regulation in a chronic asthmatic mouse model', Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 8(5), pp. 1371-1374. doi:10.3892/etm.2014.1978 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2014.1978
  9. Gholami, M., Jafari, F., Baradaran, Z., Amri, J., Azhdari-Zarmehri, H. and Sadegh, M (2020) 'Effects of aqueous extract of Hyssopus officinalis on seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole and hippocampus mRNA level of iNOS in rats', Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine, 10(3), pp. 213-221. Preclinical
    Find this source
  10. Guerrini, A., Sacchetti, G., Echeverria Guevara, M.P., Paganetto, G., Grandini, A., Maresca, I., Menghini, L., Di Martino, L., Marengo, A. and Tacchini, M (2021) 'Wild Italian Hyssopus officinalis subsp. aristatus (Godr.) Nyman: From Morphological and Phytochemical Evidences to Biological Activities', Plants, 10(4), pp. 631. doi:10.3390/plants10040631 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10040631
  11. Rashidi, S., Eikani, M.H. and Ardjmand, M (2018) 'Extraction of Hyssopus officinalis L. essential oil using instant controlled pressure drop process', Journal of Chromatography A, 1579, pp. 9-19. doi:10.1016/j.chroma.2018.10.020 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2018.10.020
  12. Polaki, S., Stamatelopoulou, V., Kotsou, K., Chatzimitakos, T., Athanasiadis, V., Bozinou, E. and Lalas, S.I (2024) 'Exploring Conventional and Green Extraction Methods for Enhancing the Polyphenol Yield and Antioxidant Activity of Hyssopus officinalis Extracts', Plants, 13(15), pp. 2105. doi:10.3390/plants13152105 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13152105
  13. European Medicines Agency (2010) 'Community herbal monograph on Hyssopus officinalis L., herba'. Traditional / reference
    Find this source
  14. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
    https://powo.science.kew.org

Record last updated 2026-06-20 · Provenance: book+pubmed · Status: verified

This fact sheet is generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and reflects its latest synced data. It is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.

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