Hyssopus officinalis or hyssop is a herbaceous plant of the genus Hyssopus native to Southern Europe, the Middle East, and the region surrounding the Caspian Sea. Due to its properties as an antiseptic, cough reliever, and expectorant, it is commonly used as a medicinal plant.

Hyssop is a brightly coloured shrub or subshrub that ranges from 30 to 60 cm in height.

 The stem is woody at the base, from which grow a number of straight branches. Its leaves are lanceolate, dark green in colour,.

The fresh herb is commonly used in cooking. Essence of hyssop can be obtained by steaming, and is used in cooking to a lesser extent.

Herb hyssop leaves are used as an aromatic condiment. The leaves have a lightly 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.

Herbal medicine

In herbal medicine hyssop is believed to have soothing, expectorant, and cough suppressant properties. Hyssop can stimulate the gastrointestinal system.