Contents:
Parts Usually Used | Plant(s) & Culture | Where Found | Medicinal Properties
Uses | Formulas or Dosages | Warning | Bibliography
Scientific Names
- Gratiola officinalis L.
- Figwort family
Parts Usually Used
The entire plant
Back to Top
Description of Plant(s) and Culture
Hedge hyssop is a European perennial herb; grows to a height of about 1 foot. The branched, hollow, quadrangular stem grows from a thin, creeping rootstock and bears opposite, sessile, lanceolate, shallow-toothed leaves. The solitary, axillary flowers have a tubular corolla that is rose-colored or reddish with yellow streaks. Blooms June to August.
Other varieties: related American species are annuals and have flowers whose corollas have yellow tubes and white lips.
Back to Top
Where Found
Found in low, wet places.
Back to Top
Medicinal Properties
Cardiac, diuretic, emetic, purgative, vermifuge
Back to Top
Uses
A potent medicine and should be used only in the form of prepared extracts and tinctures to minimize the danger of poisoning. Large doses of the plant produce numerous and dangerous effects. It can also be taken for gout, mild dropsy, sciatica, external ulcers, intestinal worms, chronic eczema, and persistent itching skin.
Back to Top
Formulas or Dosages
Use only under medical supervision.
Back to Top
Warning
A potent medicine and should be used only in the form of prepared extracts and tinctures to minimize the danger of poisoning.
Use only under medical supervision.
Back to Top
Bibliography
Culpeper’s Complete Herbal & English Physician: Updated With 117 Modern Herbs, by Nicholas Culpeper, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, 1990, (reprint of 1814)
The Herb Book, by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. copyright 1974.
Webster’s New World Dictionary, Third College Edition, Victoria Neufeldt, Editor in Chief, New World Dictionaries: A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc., 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023