People use hyssop tea all around the world and for many different reasons, but before adding it to your health routine, there are a few things you should know.
What is Hyssop Tea?
Hyssop tea is an herbal tea brewed from the dried or fresh leaves of the herbaceous hyssop plant, known as Hyssopus officinalis and native to the Middle East and Southern Europe. The medicinal value of this tea, however, comes from its many different active ingredients and antioxidants, including terpenes, flavonoids, tannins, and other volatile acids. There are also anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antibiotic compounds, such as vitamin C, found in this tea that can have a wide range of health benefits. [1]
The leaves of the hyssop plant produce a tea that is vaguely reminiscent of mint, but there are more floral notes, making this a very pleasant hot beverage. Cultivated and used medicinally since ancient times, this plant has been an important cultural element all over the world and remains important to this day. Since this plant is often cultivated for ornamental purposes, it isn’t uncommon for people to grow their own supply of these tea leaves.
Hyssop tea is known for its unique flavor, cleansing strength & distinctive aroma. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Hyssop Tea Benefits
Some of the many benefits of hyssop tea include its impact on blood pressure, respiratory health, intestinal parasites, the immune system, and menstrual cramps, among others.
Respiratory Health
The anti-inflammatory properties of this tea are able to reduce pain and discomfort in the respiratory tracts, including soothing sore throats and expelling mucus and phlegm, which is where the underlying infections can thrive.
Digestive Benefits
The soothing nature of this tea, as well as the many antioxidants it contains, can help to eliminate discomfort in the gut, as well as clear up any infections that may be affecting your digestion. It is also known to balance the acidity levels, which can prevent symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease. [2]
Blood Pressure
This tea has various expectorant qualities, and one of the effects of that is balanced blood pressure. Preventing hypertensive symptoms is a great way to protect against atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. [3]
Immune System
Good amounts of vitamin C, backed by numerous antioxidants, help to relieve strain on the immune system, preventing colds and the flu with an abundance of white blood cells. [4]
Diabetes
One of the active ingredients in hyssop tea is able to prevent or slow down the production of a key enzyme that converts starch into sugar, thus helping to control blood sugar levels in the body. [5]
How to Make Hyssop Tea
Brewing your own hyssop tea at home is easy, particularly because dried hyssop leaves are widely available in health food and import stores. Let us take a look at the recipe below.
Homemade Hyssop Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 8-12 ounces of filtered water
- 1 tbsp hyssop dried leaves
- 1 tsp of honey (optional)
- 1 tsp of lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- To make hyssop tea, bring 8-12 ounces of water to a boil.
- Add 1 tablespoon of dried hyssop leaves to a tea infuser or teapot.
- Pour the water over the dried leaves.
- Allow the tea to steep for 10 minutes Add honey and a teaspoon of lemon juice for flavor..
Hyssop Tea Side Effects
Although this is generally considered a safe tea, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid it, as there is a lack of research on the effects. Furthermore, people with a history of seizures or epilepsy should not consume this tea, as there is some evidence that the tea’s active ingredients can trigger these episodes.
