Anise Hyssop
Agastache foeniculum
Brief
Antibacterial, antifungal, carminative and digestive aid. Used to alleviate colds and stimulate the digestive system, as well as a compress for burns, fevers and headaches.
Medicinal Properties
Agastache foeniculum leaves have antibacterial properties and are taken as an infusion to alleviate coughs and colds. Anise is a carminative, warming digestive aid.
Anise hyssop clears excessive dampness in the stomach and spleen and heaviness in the chest. It is used as a preventive for heat stroke and summer colds.
The leaves are used topically as a compress for angina, burns, fever, headache, heatstroke, and herpes. The plant is excellent in baths and foot-baths for simply cooling off or for treating sunburn and fungal conditions such as athlete’s foot and yeast overgrowth.
Parts Used
The leaves and flowers which can be fresh or dried are used.
Contraindications
Anise Hyssop should not be consumed during pregnancy.
Lore
Anise hyssop has been used by North American First Nations people as a breath-freshener, as a tea and as a sweetener. An infusion of the herb was used for chest pains, and the roots were used for coughs. The Cheyenne used anise hyssop tea to relieve depression, while the Cree and Chippewa included it in protective medicine bundles. Agastache is used in Chinese prescriptions for heatstroke, headache, fever, and angina.
Sources Cited
http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/medicinal/bkq00s02.html
Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health
http://www.melodyanns.com/anisehyssop.html
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