More information on Hyssop.
Discovering Natural Israel
"Hyssop, or
zatar, grows on rocky slopes in most parts of Israel. Its fuzzy, gray-green leaves, which smell wonderfully aromatic when crushed, are dried and mixed with sesame seeds and olive oil as a savory spread on pita. In Egypt, just before the Exodus, the Hebrews dipped the humble plant in lamb's blood to mark the lintels of their homes during the plague of the killing of the firstborn" (Strutin, 2001, p. 28-29)
"Hyssop, called
zatar in Arabic, has been used for centuries as a remedy for stomachaches. More immediately important,
zatar was what flavored the top of pita we packed for lunch. Hyssop is so popular as a flavoring that many people picked slopes clean of hyssop, to sell and export. To save the wild plant from 'industrial' harvesting, the government declared hyssop a protected species. Hyssop is translated from the Hebrew
esov. In cooking and medicinally, it has been used since the time of the Exodus. This was the plant the Hebrews used to daub lamb's blood on their lintels so the angel of death would know to pass over their homes the night before they left Egypt. Hyssop was used ceremonially as a purifying agent in Temple sacrifices because, as a small, low plant, it was the symbol of humility. Purification rituals also included hyssop's antithesis, the lofty and proud cedar" (Strutin, 2001, p. 264).
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Healing Foods from the Bible
"Beginning with the Passover in Egypt, hyssop was often referred to in the Old Testament in connection with purification rites. David, for example, prayed to be purified with hyssop (Ps. 51:7). Some modern scholars say that the hyssop of the Hebrew Scriptures may have been a type of marjoram. This plant--part of the mint family--is common in Palestine. One variety of hyssop that grew abundantly in Israel and Sinai in biblical days is still used extensively by many people there today to flavor cooking and in medicinal teas. The Romans brought hyssop from the Middle East to Europe where even today hyssop tea is a standard home remedy for relief of rheumatism and respiratory complaints. The hairs on the stem of the plant are often used to prevent blood from coagulating, which may explain why the Jews in Egypt were told to use it at the time of the Passover (Ex. 12:22).
The medicinal use of hyssop is found elsewhere in the New Testament (John 19:29-30). The vinegar mentioned in this passage was not the vinegar we think of today, but a form of cheap wine. Apparently, say Bible scholars, the hyssop/vinegar mixture was offered compassionately, especially if the hyssop was marjoram, which gives off a strong, but refreshing scent. In modern experiments, hyssop has halted the growth of the herpes simplex virus, which causes cold sores and genital herpes. And to support its age-old reputation as a decongestant and a remedy for the symptoms of colds and flu, scientists have found that the herb contains several soothing camphor-like substances which help loosen phlegm so it can be coughed up more easily.
Here's a modern version of a hyssop 'tea' that will ease respiratory problems:
Hyssop Tea
1 cup honey
1/4 cup water
2 Tbs dried flowering hyssop tops (or 1/3 cup chopped flowering tops if fresh hyssop is available)
1 tsp anise seed
Pour the honey into a heavy saucepan and stir in the water, a tablespoon at a time, until the consistency resembles pancake syrup. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Dampen the dried hyssop with a tablespoon or so of water. Crush the anise seeds with a spoon and stir both into the honey. Cover and simmer over very low heat for 30 minutes.
Uncover and let cool slightly. While still warm, strain it into a jor or bottle with a screw-on lid and cap after the syrup is cool.
The anise seed adds a pleasant licorice flavor that offsets the pungent tast of the hyssop without diminishing its effect" (Ward, 1998, p. 49-51).
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Planting a Bible Garden
Marjoram, 'Hyssop' (Origanum)
"This is the biblical 'hyssop,' at least in several of the verses where the word is used (in others it refers to sorghum, see p. 25). A bunch of 'hyssop' was used for sprinkling blood on the door lintels and posts at the time of Passover (Ex. 12:22) and during the sacrifices in the Tabernacle (Lev. 14:4, 6, 52; Nu. 19:6, 18). The hairy, wiry stems of this mint-like plant,
Origanum syriacum, would be suitable for such a purpose. It grows on rocks in dry country in the Holy Land. A suitable substitute for a biblical garden is pot marjoram,
O. onites, which has a similar appearance with small heads of white flowers. Another option is sweet marjoram,
O. majorana, the well-known herb which has purple flowers, but there is a white variety. Nowadays 'hyssop' is applied to an entirely different garden plant,
Hyssopus officinalis of S. Europe.
Cultivation
Both pot and sweet marjoram require good soil in an open situation. Their tiny seeds can be sown in a frame in early spring, covering the seeds very lightly and transplanting the seedlings outdoors when they are large enough to handle, or sown outside in warmer weather. As the plants are perennial it is possible to propagate them by division, which should be done in any case every three or four years. In cool regions they may not survive the winter and it is best to consider them as annuals. If you wish to use them for culinary purposes, gather the shoots in midsummer just before flowering time, and dry them in a shady place before storing.
Species
Origanum majorana (also called
Majorana hortensis), sweet or knotted marjoram, N. Africa, 30-60cm (12-24in.), rather tender half-hardy perennial.
O. onites, pot marjoram, Mediterranean region, 30cm (12in).
O. syriacum (also called
O. maru), E. Mediterranean region, 45-100cm (18-40in.), rather tender, the biblical species.
O. vulgare, common or wild marjoram, Europe, is a hardy, vigorous grower with purple (or white) flowers in heads. It should be used as a substitute for the biblical species in colder climates (Hepper, 1998, p. 38-39)
Sorghum millet, 'Hyssop' (Sorghum)
"When the Lord Jesus Christ was crucified he was thirsty on the cross 'So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth (John 19:29). Commentators have wondered what plant the 'hyssop' could have been since a bunch of marjoram twigs (see p. 38) would be unsuitable. Matthew actually says that a 'reed' was used and this is much more likely. Such a stick could have been from a common reed or giant reed, but some commentators suggest the reed-like stem of the sorghum cereal. This is grown in warm countries as an annual crop about the height of a person with a nodding cluster of grains at its head. It was introduced into lowland Palestine in New Testament times.
Cultivation
Probably the easiest way to obtain sorghum seeds is from a pet shop. Sow them in garden soil in a very warm position in full sunlight where they can grow up to their full height. Though the plants may not mature their grains, sorghum is worth growing as an ornamental grass at the back of the bed.
Species
Sorghum bicolor (
S. vulgare) millet, dura, Guinea corn, tropical Africa, annual up to 5m (16ft) high" (Hepper, 1998, p. 25).
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REFERENCES
Hepper, F. N. (1998).
Planting a Bible Garden. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House. Amazon.com link:
Planting a Bible Garden.
Strutin, M. (2001).
Discovering Natural Israel. Middle Village, NY: Jonathan David Publishers. Amazon.com link:
Discovering Natural Israel.
Ward, B. (1998).
Healing Foods from the Bible. Boca Raton, FL: Globe Communications. Amazon.com link:
Healing Foods from the Bible.
...Bob
