Hyssop, The Holy Herb and Its Uses

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Copyright 2013 Denise Alvarado, All rights reserved. www.creolemoon.com

Creole Moon’s Conjure ClubPublications for the Observation and Preservation

of Southern Folk Magic and Culture

Hyssop:

The holyherb and

its usesby

Denise Alvarado




Introduction“Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean.”

The above passage is probably the most referenced statement

relating to hyssop since the word was originally written in the Bi-

ble. Talk to any rootworker and ask them to name the best herb

to use for cleansing and uncrossings and their response is likely

to be, or at least include: Hyssop. This makes sense given the

heavy influence of the Bible on modern conjure, and in particular,

the influence of Catholicism and the use of the Psalms

(specifically Psalm 51) in conjure work in New Orleans.

Although well known for its association with the Bible, the

hyssop we know today as Hyssopus officinalis is disputed as the

plant referred to in the Bible. Biblical hyssop is often called the

“unidentified plant” of the Bible. Some maintain that hyssop is

actually a type of marjoram (Origanum maru), while others posit

it is the caper-bush (Capperis spinosa). Despite the question of itstrue identity, Hyssop officinalis is the one used in both perfumery

and conjure today.

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) is a decorative herbaceous plant in the

mint family that is native to Southern Europe, the Middle East, and the

region surrounding the Caspian Sea.(1) Hyssop is believed to have come

to North America with the early European colonists as it is listed amongthe seeds John Win-throp, Jr. brought to the New World in 1631.(2)

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyssopus_officinalis

2. Mother Earth Living, http://www.motherearthliving.com/mother-earth-living/an-herb-to

-know-hyssop.aspx




Figure 1. Hyssop officionalis




Over the years, it has escaped from gardens and is now naturalized at

roadsides and in waste places here and there in North America from

Quebec to North Carolina. When it blooms, hyssop displays spikes of

fragrant blue, pink, or white flowers. Hyssop has been used in a variety of ways since Classical An-

tiquity. The classical age was a time in which Greek and Roman

society flourished and wielded great influence throughout Eu-

rope and the Middle East. During this time, hyssop was widely

used for its medicinal properties.

Historically, hyssop has been used medicinally as an antibacte-

rial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, astringent, carminative,

digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, hyper-

tensive, nervine, sedative, and tonic, among other things. It has

been shown to be effective in the treatment of bruises, colds,

cough, fatigue, fevers, flatulence, indigestion, inflammation, lossof appetite, nervous tension, sore throat, stress related condi-

tions, and wounds. Hyssop should be avoided by those with epi-

lepsy and those who are pregnant.

Hyssop also has culinary uses, although it is considered a bit-

ter herb. It can be finely chopped and sprinkled on salads and

game meats, and in soups and stews as an aromatic condiment.

The leaves have a slightly bitter taste due to its tannins, and an

intense minty aroma. Due to its intensity, it is used moderately in

cooking. The herb is also used to flavor liqueur, and is part of the

official formulation of Chartreuse.

Hyssop is most commonly associated with cleanliness and

sacrifice from a religiomagical sense. It is known to have been

used in the ritual cleansing of holy places. Bundles of the herb

were dipped in sacrificial blood and water and touched upon




doorways and other areas in need of cleansing. The dried herb

was used in bouquets and burned to fumigate areas in an effort

to ward off plagues. Beekeepers were known to rub the fragrant

Figure 2 Hyssop oficinalis. Photo copyright 2009, H. Zell, published under a GNU Docu-

mentation License.




flowers on beehives to encourage bees to stay. In Hoodoo and

Rootwork, hyssop maintains its biblical associations with cleans-

ing, uncrossing and getting rid of negative conditions.

Hyssop, According to the

Catholic Encyclopedia

(Septuagint hyssopos).

The following is an excerpt about hyssop from the Catholic Ency-

clopedia. It makes several references to the mention of hyssop

and its uses in the Bible.

A plant which is referred to in a few passages of Holy Writ,

and which cannot be identified with certainty at the present day.

Its existence in Egypt is proved by Exodus 12:22, wherein Moses

is represented as bidding the elders of Israel to take a bunch of

hyssop and to sprinkle with it the blood of the paschal lamb up-

on the lintel and the side posts of the doors of their dwellings. In

the wilderness hyssop was also ready at hand, as can be inferred

from Exodus 24:8, completed by Hebrews 9:19, according to

which Israel's great lawgiver sprinkled the Hebrews with hyssop

dipped in the blood of victims, at the sealing of the old covenant

between Yahweh and His people. The references to hyssop con-

tained in the Mosaic ritual show clearly that it was a common

plant in the peninsula of Sinai and in the land of Chanaan, and

disclose its principal uses among the Hebrews. Thus, it is with

hyssop that the blood of a bird offered in sacrifice is to be sprin-

kled for the cleansing of a man or a house affected with leprosy




(Leviticus 14:4-7, 49-51); it is with it, too, that the sprinkling of the

water of purification must be made at the cleansing of a tent, a

person, or a vessel polluted by the touch of a dead body

(Numbers 19:8). Besides being thus used as an instrument in the

act of sprinkling, hyssop was employed as one of the elements to

be burned in the preparation of the water of purification itself

(Numbers 19:6). It is not therefore surprising to find that this

manifold and intimate connexion of hyssop with the various puri-

fications of the Old Law led the Psalmist (Ps. 1 [Hebrew li] 9) toregard the sprinkling with hyssop as symbolical of a thorough

purification of the heart, a view which the Catholic Church has

made her own in the ceremony of the Asperges which usually

begins the solemn offering of Holy Mass. Nor is it surprising to

find that this same connexion of hyssop with the various cleans-

ings of the Mosaic Law suggested to many writers the identifica-

tion of that plant with the Hyssopus officinalis, or common hys-

sop, with which they were particularly acquainted, and the deter-

gent properties of which they not unnaturally thought had in-

duced the Hebrew legislator to select it as especially fit for the

purificatory services in Israel. However widely received in thepast, such identification is now commonly rejected for this rea-

son, among others, that the Hyssopus officinalis appears to have

been unknown in ancient Syria and Egypt. The plant, which at the

present day, is considered as more probably the hyssop of the

Mosaic ritual, is the Origanum maru. Like the Hyssopus officinalis

it belongs to the family of the labiatæ, has aromatic and deter-

gent properties, and can be easily made into a bunch for purpos-

es of sprinkling. The following are some of its particular claims to

be considered as the hyssop spoken of in the Old Testament. In




the first place, it is to the Origanum--not to the Hyssopus offici-

nalis--that all ancient tradition points when referring to the hys-

sop of the Scriptures. In the next place, its Egyptian name of

supho, is clearly allied to the Aramaic zufo and the Hebrew

equivalent. Lastly, the Origanum maru grows on the walls of all

the terraces throughout Palestine and Syria. This last claim in fa-

vour of the identification of the hyssop of the Old Testament with

the Origanum maru, is in distinct harmony with 1 Kings 4:33

(Hebrew 1 Samuel 4:33) where we read that Solomon "treatedabout trees from the cedar that is in Libanus, unto the hyssop

that cometh out of the wall". The chief difficulty in the way of this

identification is drawn from John 19:29, where it is stated that

some of those present at Christ's Passion "putting a sponge full

of vinegar about (or rather: upon) hyssop, put it in his mouth". It

is oftentimes supposed that the stalk of the Origanum maru

would be too short and too slender for the purposes described in

this passage, and that another plant with a longer and firmer

stem, for instance, the caper-plant (capparis spinosa) is the one

meant by the Fourth Evangelist. This supposition, however, does

not appear necessary to many commentators. They think that thecross whereon Jesus lay was not such a lofty object as is assumed

by the opponents of the identification, and that in consequence

the Origanum maru, some 40 or 50 centimetres in length, and

undoubtedly near at hand on Calvary, was used either alone, or

together with a reed (cf. Matthew 26:29; Mark 15:36) to carry the

sponge dipped in vinegar to the lips of the Savior. Numerous

other plants, more or less akin to the Origanum maru are also

regarded, and indeed with some probability, as the hyssop spo-

ken of in Holy Writ (Gigot, 1919).




FORMULAS

1. Aromatic Medicinal BathFor the treatment of rheumatism, boil several handfuls

of hyssop leaves and flowers along with a handful each

of thyme, marjoram, lavender, mint and rosemary in two

gallons of spring water. Allow to cool until warm, then

strain out the herbs and add the tea to a warm bath.

Soak for fifteen minutes.

2. Recipe for Hyssop Tea

Infuse a quarter of an ounce of dried hyssop flowers in a

pint of boiling water for ten minutes; sweeten with hon-

ey, and take a wineglassful three times a day. This tea is

said to be good for rheumatism and upset stomach and

can be drunk in conjunction with the above aromatic

bath.

3. Aromatic Cleansing Bath

Boil a handful of hyssop leaves and flowers along with a

handful of rue in a gallon of spring water. Allow to cool

and strain out the herbs and set aside. Add the herbal

infusion to a warm bath. Light a white candle and anointwith hyssop spiritual oil and set on the edge of the tub.

Tea lights or votive candles are ideal for baths because

they burn quickly. Get in the tub and pour the water

over your head seven times, and recite Psalm 51. Allow




the water to drain and the candle to burn all the way

down.

This cleansing is good to do whenever you feel

heavy at heart, guilty about having done something

wrong, or as a preventative after doing some sort of left

-handed work, an uncrossing or handling cursed ob-

jects.

4. Formula for Holy Hyssop OilHoly Hyssop Oil is ideal for times when you are in need

of comfort, hope, and spiritual relief. It is useful in times

of grief and when you are facing despair, a sense of

hopelessness and would benefit from the reassurance of

Divine intervention.Holy Hyssop Oil is made in a base of the purest Olive

Oil you can get. Olive oil from Israel is ideal for this for-

mula. Add the dried herbs of hyssop, lavender and rose-

mary in a pan with enough oil to cover the herbs. Sim-

mer for thirty minutes. Allow to cool and strain into

smaller bottles, adding a pinch of hyssop in each bottle.

You can repeat the simmering process if you want a

stronger fragrance by straining the oil and adding fresh

herbs and boiling for another thirty minutes.

Note that this is my personal recipe and name for

the oil; you may find others calling it simply Hyssop Oil,which for me would be simply the hyssop herb steeped

in olive oil.




5. Formula for Holy Hyssop Powder

Burn the leaves and flower tops of hyssop along with

some red cedar and save the ashes. Mix the ashes with

aloes wood powder for a powerful blessing powder that

can be used as a floor sprinkle, as a dusting powder, or

used as a barrier to keep in the good and keep out the

bad. This powder is also ideal for the consecration of

talismans.

6. Formula for Holy Hyssop Incense

To make a very aromatic cleansing and blessing incense,

combine sage, thyme and hyssop and blend well. You

can either powder each of the herbs for a powdered

herbal incense, or leave the herbs in tact and simply mix

them together and burn on a piece of charcoal.

7. Mano Poderosa (Powerful Helping

Hand) Mojo

For a powerful protection and blessing mojo, you can

make a Mano Poderosa or Powerful Helping Hand Mojo.

To make this mojo, you will need the following:

• White candle

• Red flannel bag

• Hyssop

• Rue

• Angelica root




• Balm of Gilead

• Sage

• Holy Hyssop Powder

• Holy Hyssop Oil

• Dove’s blood Ink

• Parchment paper

Before you begin, pour a few drops of Holy Hyssop Oil

onto the palms of your hands and rub them briskly to-gether until they feel warm and electric. Touch your

forehead, your heart, and your gut with you’re your

hands. Then, anoint the white candle with Holy Hyssop

Oil and pray Psalm 51. Take each ingredient one by one

and hold in your hand and breathe just a very light puff

of air onto the herb. Tell it what you want it to do for

you. For example, “Holy Hyssop, you embody the power

of the Divine. Purge my spirit of all evil and negative

energy. In the name of the Holy Trinity, Amen.”

Once the herbs are inside the bag, add a few drops

of Holy Hyssop Oil.Next, take a small piece of parchment paper and

write a petition on the paper, specifying in as few words

as possible your needs. Anoint the paper on each corner

and in the middle (five spot) with Holy Hyssop Oil. Add

a personal concern of your own such as a fingernail or

some hair and place in the center of the petition paper.

Fold the paper closed and wrap with red thread and tie

it. Place another drop of Holy Hyssop Oil on the tied

petition and place the wrapped petition into the Help-




ing Hand.

Hold the bag up to your mouth and pray or talk to

the bag and tell it what you need. Gently breathe into

the bag to give it your essence.

Tie the bag closed by pulling the drawstring closed,

wrapping the string around the bag a couple of times

and tying it. You may tie an evil eye bead or a cross to

the outside of the hand for added protection.

A mojo hand is a living entity comprised of all thespirits of the little herbs and ingredients placed inside

and can develop its own personality and fully developed

spirit. To be most effective, you should talk to your hand

and interact with it often. It is said that the live mojo

hand will often communicate with its owner in its own

voice.

8. Formula for Holy Hyssop Floor WashTo purge your home of evil and negativity try this floor

wash. Add to a gallon of spring water handfuls of hys-

sop, rue and lavender herbs and boil together on thestove for 15 minutes. Add the entire solution to a buck-

et of hot soapy water. You can use any floor wash for

the soapy water in the bucket, but for this formula, I like

to use Dr. Bronner’s pure lavender castile soap because

it works good and smells even better. Proceed to wash

your floors with the solution, moving from the back of

your home to out the front door. You can pray Psalm 51

while doing this or afterwards or simply say a heartfelt

prayer of your own.




Psalm 51 (King James Version)

1Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness:

according unto the multude of thy tender mercies blot out my

transgressions.2

Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from

my sin.3

For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before

me.4

Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy

sight: that thou mightest be jusfied when thou speakest, and be

clear when thou judgest.5

Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother con-

ceive me.6

Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hid-

den part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.7

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shallbe whiter than snow.8

Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou

hast broken may rejoice.9

Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquies.10

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit

within me.

11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holyspirit from me.12

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvaon; and uphold me with

thy free spirit.13

Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be

converted unto thee.14

Deliver me from bloodguilness, O God, thou God of my salva-

on: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.15

O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy

praise.16

For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou de-

lightest not in burnt off ering.



Copyright 2013 Denise Alvarado All rights reserved www creolemoon com

17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a con-

trite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.18

Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of

Jerusalem.19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteous-

ness, with burnt off ering and whole burnt off ering: then shall

they off er bullocks upon thine altar.

SOURCES

Gigot, F. (1910). Hyssop. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York:

Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved April 1, 2013 from New

Advent: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07612a.htm

Grieve, M. (1931). A Modern Herbal.

mountainroseherbs.com

_____________________________________________________________________

Disclaimer

The information in this article is for educational purposes

only, it is not intended to treat, cure, prevent or, diagnose

any disease or condition, nor is it intended to prescribe in

any way. Always seek the advice of a medical professional if you suspect a serious medical condition.

____________________________________________________________________

Learn More

If you like learning about herbs and their medicinal properties, history

and folkloric associations, you may be interested in several courses

offered through Crossroads University: Folk Magic Formulary 1: Mak-

ing Magical Oils and Potions and How to Use Them; Spiritual

Baths and Cleansings; and Foundations in Southern Rootwork 1.

Please visit www.crossroadsuniversity.com for more informaon.

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Hyssop, The Holy Herb and Its Uses