Anise Hyssop is also known as blue giant hyssop, lavendar giant hyssop, elk mint, and licorice mint. It belongs to the Lamiaceae (Mint) family. It is native to northern and central North America.
How to Recognize:
Anise hyssop grows from 2 to 5 feet tall, with bright green leaves that are notched (indentation) at the edge and covered with fine white hairs on the underside. New growth has a purple tint. The plant has an aroma suggestive of mint and anise. The herb is partially woody with branched and usually hairless stems. The fibrous roots are also branching (spreadout). Clusters of small lilac-blue flowers appear on elongated flower spikes from July through September.
Now, we know how to recognize the plant. Let's see how to use it.
Edible Use:
Anise hyssop can be used as a sweetener and to make tea. It can be used as a flavoring or seasoning. The leaves and flowers can be eaten fresh, cooked, or dried.
Medicinal Use:
Heart healthy, Agina Pain: An infusion of anise hyssop is a tonic for the heart and a quick remedy for pain.
Sores, Wounds, and Burns:
For skin infections, wounds, and burned skin, use a poultice of anise hyssop leaves. Soak dried leaves or bruise fresh leaves and flowers and apply them directly on the affected area. Cover with a clean cloth. Anise hyssop leaves have anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties.
Facilicitates Digestion:
Drinking Anise Hyssop tea with meals eases digestion and prevents excessive gas and bloating.
Diarrhea:
Anise Hyssop tea is helpful in relieving diarrhea. The tea works best if continued throughout the day even after the diarrhea has been sucessfully eliminated. Continuing to sip occasionally prevents the return of diarrhea.
Sores Muscles and Anxiety:
Try gathering 3 to 4 tbs of of anise hyssop leaves in a swaure of cheesecloth and hang it from the faucet while taking a bath. The scent released as the water flows will help calm your body/mind. When the bath is ready, drp the herbs into the bathwater and soak your sore muscles in the bath.
Colds, Flu, Bronchial Congestion:
Anise hyssop tea helps expel mucus from the lungs, making it a good choice for treating colds, flu, and congestion.
Herpes:
Try Anise Hyssop Essential Oil externally as an antiviral treatment for Herpes Simplex I and II and drink the tea to treat the virus internally.
Poison Ivy:
Wash the skin in Anise Hyssop Infusion to help relieve the itchiness of poison Ivy.
Athlete's Foot, Fungal Skin Infections, Yeast Overgrowth:
Soak the foot or infected area in a bath with strong infusion of Anise Hyssop. Soak daily until the infection is cured.
Recipes: Anise Hyssop Tea or Infusion
You'll need one cup of boiling water, raw honey and Anise Hyssop.
To make a basic anise hyssop tea:
steep 2-3 tablespoons of bruised fresh leaves in 2 cups of boiled water for 5 minutes
strain
Add raw honey or another sweetener of choice
Drink hot or cold - ENJOY!
As you can see there are many uses for Anise Hyssop. Try it as a tea, in baked goods, salads and of course for medicinal purposes. Until the next featured herb...........
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