$Pontefract Castle$ Pontefract Castle

A wide variety of plants growing in the Medieval Herb Garden on a sunny day

Medieval herb garden blog 93: Hyssop

Monday, October 19, 2026

Week 93 volunteer update

Due to overlapping previous commitments, none of the volunteer gardeners were available today, so the weeds have received a week’s reprieve.

Tune in next week to find out what's been happening in the Medieval Herb Garden!

Plant of the week: Hyssop (hyssopus officinalis)

The name hyssop comes from the Greek 'hyssopos', meaning 'holy herb'. 'Officinalis' is Latin for 'belonging to an officina'. This refers to a room where medicinal and household goods were kept.

Native to Southern Europe and the Middle East, hyssop is an upright, bushy, shrub-like, semi-evergreen plant. It prefers to grow in full-sun to partial-shade, and in moist to well-drained, south or west-facing, alkaline or neutral, chalk or loam. It grows to 2 ft high (60 cm) with a 3 ft (90 cm) spread.

The leaves are opposite, simple and narrow, and generally lanceolate to linear-lanceolate in shape. The leaves measure approximately 0.8 to 2 inches (2 to 5 cm) long and 0.1 to 0.4 inches (0.25 to 1 cm) wide. They have smooth or slightly toothed margins, a short petiole (stalk), and a pointed tip. The leaves are typically dark green, with a somewhat leathery texture. They contain numerous oil glands, which release a strong 'herbaceous, fresh, slightly minty, camphoraceous and somewhat spicy' aroma when crushed.

Hyssop flowers from July to September. The flowers are produced in dense, elongated clusters towards the upper portions of the stems. The flower spikes are typically 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 cm) long. Individual flowers have a tubular corolla and are approximately 0.4 to 0.6 inches (1 to 1.5 cm) long and bilabiate (two-lipped). The flowers are commonly blue to violet, although pink or white forms also occur and can be found in the Medieval Herb Garden.

Hyssop develops a branched, fibrous root system. The main roots can reach approximately 1 ft (30 cm) in depth. The roots are relatively slender and become more woody near the base of mature plants.

The seeds are small, elongated to ovoid and dark brown to blackish when mature. Individual seeds are approximately 0.08 to 0.12 inches long.

Hyssop growing in the Medieval Herb Garden.

Culinary uses of hyssop

In the Middle Ages, hyssop was used to flavour stuffings, soups and lamb and chicken casseroles. It was also recommended as a seasoning for oily fish.

In small amounts, hyssop can be added to salads, omelettes, and pickles.

Use of hyssop as a dye plant

Hyssop produces muted shades of pale yellow-green, grey-tan, and subtle yellow/beige.

Folklore and other facts about hyssop

Hyssop was used for religious purification in Egypt. According to Chaeremon the Stoic, the priests used to eat it with bread in order to purify the bread.

In some translations of the Old Testament, the Israelites used a bundle of hyssop to paint the blood on their doorposts to ward off the tenth plauge of Egypt.

In Psalm 51:7 King David prayed 'cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean'. This secured the plant as a symbol of moral regeneration and forgiveness. However, the plant referred to as hyssop in ancient biblical texts may not necessarily be identical to the modern botanical species. The exact identity of the biblical plant remains debated.

People once hung hyssop over doorways and inside homes to guard against witches and the evil eye. Medieval Europeans used hyssop in various contexts. This includes in holy water sprinklers for exorcisms, purifying sacred spaces, and protecting the dead.

The ancient Persians made a lotion from the oil to improve skin health. The essential oil, now known to have antibacterial, antiseptic and antifungal properties, is still used in preparations for a range of conditions.

Hyssop’s essential oil is also commercially distilled and used in air-fresheners, soaps and perfumes.

Medieval medicinal uses of hyssop*

Hyssop was traditionally used to alleviate wind, manage symptoms of the common cold and act as an expectorant. It was used to treat colic, counter loss of appetite, and reduce respiratory inflammation, and asthma symptoms.

Hyssop was also used to ease toothache, issues of the mouth and throat, and difficulty in swallowing, as well as ear inflammations and tinnitus. It would also be used to remove bruises and heal wounds.

*Needless to say, this isn't to be considered medical advice from us to you today! No herbs mentioned in these blogs should be used as medicine without advice from a doctor.

Medieval herb garden blogs

Browse all blogs by our dedicated team of volunteer gardeners at Pontefract Castle. Discover a different 'Plant of the Week'.

More blogs