Hyssop - Uses and Side Effects

Hyssop has been used for centuries as an herbal medicine. In ancient times it was used as an insecticide, insect repellant, and pediculicide. Hyssop is obtained from the dried above-ground parts, including leaves and flowering tops, of H. officinalis. The oil, which is used in flavorings and extracts, is also made from the above-ground parts of the plant. One of hyssop's glycoside components, marrubiin, stimulates bronchiole secretions. Hyssop has strong antiviral effects, probably because of the caffeic acid, tannin, and high-molecular-weight components present. It may have some activity against human immunodeficiency virus-l (HIV-1) replication and the herpes simplex virus. Hyssop is available as capsules and extracts.

Reported uses

Hyssop is used orally to treat upset stomach, liver and gallbladder complaints, indigestion, colds, fevers, respiratory and chest ailments, sore throat, asthma, urinary tract inflammation, gas, and colic. It's also used as an expectorant and as an appetite and circulation stimulant.

Hyssop is used topically in a salve or compress to treat skin irritations, burns, bruises, and frostbite. The oil is used as fragrance in soaps and perfumes. It's used to flavor foods and extracts and as a flavoring in alcoholic beverages.

Administration

Capsules: Two 445 mg capsules by mouth three times a day

Extract: 10 to 15 gtt in water by mouth two to three times a day

Tea (1 to 2 tsp dried hyssop tops in 5 oz boiling water): Gargle or consume three times a day.

Hazards

Hyssop may cause uterine stimulation. Using hyssop with anticonvulsants may counteract antiseizure effects.

Pregnant patients should avoid use of hyssop because of possible uterine stimulation leading to miscarriage and hemorrhaging. Children should avoid use because of reports that 2 to 3 gtt of volatile oil over several days may cause tonic clonic seizures. Also, patients with seizure disorders shouldn't use hyssop.

Safety Risk Hyssop has been associated with tonicclonic seizures and neurotoxicity.

Clinical considerations

Only standardized dose forms of hyssop should be used.

Internal use of hyssop oil is associated with seizures and possible neurotoxicity.

Hyssop may alter the intended therapeutic effect of conventional drugs.

If patient is pregnant or breast-feeding or is planning to become pregnant, advise her not to use hyssop.

Advise patient to use hyssop only at the recommended dosages and to avoid long-term use.

Inform patient that several other plants have variations of the name hyssop; however, these plants are not related to the genus Hyssopus.

Tell patient to notify pharmacist of any herbal or dietary supplement that he's taking when obtaining a new prescription.

Advise patient to consult his health care provider before using an herbal preparation because a conventional treatment with proven efficacy may be available.

Research summary

Hyssop appears to be a useful herbal compound. The action of its volatile oil exerts demulcent and expectorant effects. However, it must be used with caution due to its documented convulsive effects. The plant also appears to exhibit strong antiviral activity against HIV-1 in some studies. More studies are needed to verify the therapeutic efficacy of this claim.

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