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Expectorant, diaphoretic, stimulant,
pectoral, carminative. The healing virtues of the plant are due to a
particular volatile oil, which is stimulative, carminative and
sudorific. It admirably promotes expectoration, and in chronic catarrh
its diaphoretic and stimulant properties combine to render it of
especial value. It is usually given as a warm infusion, taken frequently
and mixed with Horehound. Hyssop Tea is also a grateful drink, well
adapted to improve the tone of a feeble stomach, being brewed with the
green tops of the herb, which are sometimes boiled in soup to be given
for asthma. In America, an infusion of the leaves is used externally for
the relief of muscular rheumatism, and also for bruises and discoloured
contusions, and the green herb, bruised and applied, will heal cuts
promptly.
The infusion has an agreeable flavour and
is used by herbalists in pulmonary diseases.
It was once much employed as a
carminative in flatulence and hysterical complaints, but is now seldom
employed.
A tea made with the fresh green tops, and
drunk several times daily, is one of the oldfashioned country remedies
for rheumatism that is still employed. Hyssop baths have also been
recommended as part of the cure, but the quantity used would need to be
considerable |