Description:
Hyssop is a bushy, evergreen
plant introduced into the warmer
parts of the U.S. from southern
Europe. Once widely cultivated for
medicinal uses, it is now grown
mostly as an ornamental shrub. The
plant consists of several square,
branched, downy stems which are
woody at the bottom and bear
opposite, sessile, glabrous to
hairy, linear-lanceolate leaves.
The rose-colored to bluish purple
flowers grow in successive axillary
whorls at the tops of the branches
and stems from June to
October.
Properties and
Uses: Astringent,
carminative, emmenagogue,
expectorant, stimulant, stomachic,
tonic. Hyssop is used in
essentially the same way as sage,
with which it is sometimes combined
to make a gargle for sore throat.
Hyssop tea can be used for poor
digestion, breast and lung
problems, coughs due to colds, nose
and throat infections, mucous
congestion in the intestines,
flatulence, scrofula, dropsy, and
jaundice. The decoction is said to
help relieve inflammations, and it
can also be used as a wash for
burns, bruises, and skin
irritations, and as a gargle for
sore throat or chronic catarrh.
Apply the crushed leaves directly
to bruises or to wounds to cure
infection and promote
healing.
Preparation and
Dosage: Do not use
continuously for extended
periods.
Infusion:
Steep 1 tsp. dried herbs in 1/2 cup
water. Take 1/2 to 1 1/2 cups a day, a mouthful
at a time. For breast and lung problems,
sweeten with honey if desired.
Decoction:
Use 1 tsp. herb with 1 cup water. Take 1
to 2 cups a day.
Poultice:
Soak the fresh herb in boiling water for
15 minutes and place on a cloth for
application.
From The Herb
Book by John Lust
More from The
Herb Book
BEAUTY FROM
PLANTS: SOME NATURAL
COSMETICS p530
All commercial
natural cosmetics tend to be expensive;
fortunately, you can make many natural beauty
preparations yourself at a much lower cost. To
get you started, this section presents a
listing of natural, plant-derived beauty
preparations---all of which you can easily make
yourself. Many of these are based on home
beauty recipes that have been used successfully
for centuries. The listing also includes
general descriptive material on some important
cosmetic herbs. Most of these herbs are used
medicinally to treat skin disorders, and they
have also been found to be beneficial to the
skin for cosmetic purposes.
Almond Facial
Mask. Pulverized almonds made
into a paste with a small amount of liquid.
Best for oily skin, almonds soften the skin,
cleanse it with their abrasive action, and
nourish it with protein. Note: Most facial
masks are applied to the skin, left on 15 to 20
minutes and washed off with warm water followed
by a cold rinse. Do not apply masks to the eye
area. Your face should be washed or cleansed
with cream before using any mask.
Apricot
Facial Mask. Fresh or dried mashed
apricots mixed with warm olive oil to form a
spreadable pasta Dry skin moisturizer, and
vitamin A source.
Avocado
Facial Mask. Mashed avocado heated
over a double boiler until just warm. Dry skin
moisturizer, provides protein and
vitamins.
Banana Facial
Mask. Made like apricot mask.
Another dry skin moisturizer.
Barley Water
Skin Freshener. Astringent; cleanses
and softens skin. Made by simmering 3 tbsp.
barley in 3 cups water for an hour. Strain and
cool. Rinse off face after using. Must be
refrigerated. Best for normal skin. Drinking
barley water is also reputed to clear and
beautify your skin (sweeten with honey and
orange juice).
Beer Hair
Rinse. Let a can of beer go
flat and use as an after-shampoo hair rinse. Do
not rinse out Provides body to the hair. The
beer smell goes away by the time the hair is
dry.
Brewer's
Yeast Facial Mask. Mix into a paste using
a small amount of water. Its abrasive action
cleanses pores and stimulates skin. Best for
oily skin.
Camomile Flower
Hair Rinse for
Blondes.
Gives blond highlights. Infuse 1/3 cup
flowers in 1 qt. water. Steep until tepid. Pour
repeatedly over hair. Leave on 15 minutes and
then rinse out. Camomile flower infusion also
has a soothing, healing, disinfectant effect on
the skin and eyes; used in skin lotions and eye
preparations.
Carrot
Facial. Astringent, provides
vitamin A. Carrot shavings with a little lemon
juice can be applied directly to the face like
a facial mask. Best for oily skin.
Cocoa Butter
and Coconut Oil. Both make very good
wrinkle removers.
Cucumber
Facial. Astringent, cleansing,
bleaching (for freckles and discolored skin);
also used for sunburn and rough skin. Cucumber
slices or juice applied to face (and hands, if
desired) and left on 10 to 15 minutes, then
rinsed off. Best for normal or oily
skin.
Price: $
8.95
This is
brought to you by John Lust
and is from The Herb
Book.
Availability:
Usually ships within 24
hours
Soothe your
nerves, cure your cough, color your fabrics, perfume your
bath, stimulate your lover, spice your sauces, stop your
nightmares, freshen your breath — with
herbs...
