KnowyourHerbs
Lisl Meredith Huebner, Dipl.CH (NCCAOM), RH (AHG) Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. -Psalms 51:6/7
understatement. Collectively, humanity is at a critical juncture. Both on a personal level and globally, we need to take in- ventory of our values, our possessions, our relationships and our responsibilities -basically everything- and make some se- rious choices. What is most valuable to us and worth keeping? What is no longer working and needs to be scrapped? According to the Traditional Chinese
T
Medicine (TCM) Five Element paradigm, the lungs are paired with the large intes- tines and are associated with the Metal Element (or more accurately, Phase). The Metal Phase represents evaluation and release- that is separating the pure from the impure- and eliminating what is left.
o say that Hyssop has a timely mes- sage for humanity and for me per- sonally right now would be a gross
It is crucial that we rid ourselves of that which no longer serves us in order to cre- ate space for new energies that will match our higher frequency. If we fail to do so, we become bogged down emotionally with attachments that drain us, and we find that instead of owning our posses- sions, our possessions own us. We be- come so hampered with responsibilities that are not ours that we have no energy left with which to take response-ability for what we must, such as a change of course or direction. The lungs are also where we hold
onto grief that has not been completely released. When we are burdened, wheth- er from sadness, emotional constraint, or a resistance to necessary surrender, we can begin to fear healthy release. We may come to equate pure space with empti- ness and loneliness instead of using that void as a starting point for Divine inspi- ration and creation. The analogy is also made in TCM that our lungs take in the breath of heaven, that is to say air, our physical connection to the intangible or the Divine. The Divine is Universal Truth
and Love; a healthy ability to discern what is truly healthful to us and to disen- gage with what is not is a path to purify- ing our soul. Many references hold true that Hys-
sop purifies the soul, helps one break old patterns of unhealthy thoughts or behav- ior, like anger, addictions and lack of for- giveness. What is a grudge, dependence, or resentment? Simply stated, unhealthy emotional patterns are based in judgment and often rooted in our inability to let go of our own imperfections enough to have true compassion for ourselves and others. What is forgiveness? The ability to release a judgment that we have been holding onto -whether it is toward our- selves or someone else- is a letting go, a surrendering. Breathing deeply, we in- hale the Divine into our body and exhale the emotional weight we no longer need to carry. On a physical level, Hyssop is one of
the premier herbs for assisting the lungs in their ability to breathe deeply. It has an expectorant quality that will purge phlegm, but more specifically will thin mucous, making it more watery and eas- ier to dislodge. Often taken as a tincture or syrup for bronchial complaints, herb- alists may combine Hyssop with Mul- lein, Thyme, Licorice, Basil or other herbs that loosen phlegm, circulate energy in the chest and soothe coughs. A hot infu- sion of fresh or dried Hyssop herb is an effective remedy for the recent onset of colds or flu because it promotes a light perspiration that helps the body rid toxins through the pores and lowers a fever. The crushed, fresh herb spread over
bruises and contusions will help them to heal faster, and an infusion applied topically is helpful for achy joints. Steam from a hot infusion of Hyssop can help to soothe inflammations of the ear; its camphor-like aroma belies its ability to aromatically open areas of obstruction. In fact, the fragrance of Hyssop was once
40 August 2010
www.naturalnutmeg.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56