This section of the book is from "The Complete Herbalist" by Dr. O. Phelps Brown. Also available from Amazon: The Complete Herbalist: The People Their Own Physicians By The Use Of Nature's Remedies.
MEDICINAL PARTS. The tops and leaves.
Description. -- Hyssop is a perennial herb,
with square stems, woody at the base, and a foot or two in height, with
rod-like branches. The leaves are opposite, sessile, linear, and
lanceolate, green on each side; flowers, bluish-purple, seldom white; stamens
four.
History. -- It is an inhabitant of Europe
and this country, being raised principally in gardens, and flowers in July.
The taste of the leaves is hot, spicy, and somewhat bitter, and yield their
virtues to water and alcohol. They contain yellow oil and sulphur.
Properties and Uses. -- Stimulant, aromatic,
carminative, and tonic. Generally used in quinsy and other sore-throats,
as a gargle with sage. As an expectorant it is beneficial in asthma,
coughs, etc. The leaves applied to bruises speedily relieve the pain
and remove the discoloration.
 
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