Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in Europe and the Middle East, as a remedy for respiratory ailments such as colds, coughs, and congestion. Folk medicine has valued hyssop for its supposed expectorant and antiviral properties, and it is commonly found in herbal teas and preparations designed to soothe symptoms of the common cold. Historical texts, such as those from ancient Greece and medieval Europe, mention hyssop as a plant used to purify and support respiratory health. The volatile oils in hyssop, including pinocamphone, isopinocamphone, and eucalyptol, are thought to contribute to its traditional use for respiratory complaints.

However, while laboratory (in vitro) studies have shown that extracts of hyssop possess some antiviral activity—specifically against certain strains of viruses—these findings have not yet been robustly confirmed in human clinical trials. The evidence for its effectiveness in treating or preventing colds in humans is therefore weak but not nonexistent. The continued use of hyssop for colds is primarily rooted in tradition and supported by anecdotal evidence rather than high-quality, large-scale clinical research. Thus, while some chemical constituents in hyssop demonstrate pharmacological potential, more research is needed to confirm its efficacy and safety for this purpose.

More about hyssop
More about Colds (antiviral)

Other ingredients used for Colds (antiviral)

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Products containing hyssop

Nature's Sunshine Anti-Gas (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Anti-Gas TCM