hyssop: A genus of the gymnospermia order, belonging to the didynamia clas of plants. There are three species; but only one of them, viz., HYS

viz, the officinalis, or common hyssop, is cultivated for use. This hath under-shrubby, low, bushy stalks, growing a foot and an half high; small, spear-shaped, clove-fitting, opposite leaves, with several smaller ones rising from the same joint; and all the stalks and branches terminated by erect whorled spikes of flowers, of different colours in the varieties. They are very hardy plants; and may be propagated either by slips or cuttings, or by seeds. The leaves have an aromatic smell, and a warm pungent taste. Besides the general virtues of aromatics, they are particularly recommended in humoral asthmas, coughs, and other disorders of the breast and lungs; and are said notably to promote expectoration.

Hyssop was generally made use of in purifications amongst the Jews by way of a sprinkler. Sometimes they added a little wool to it of a scarlet colour; for example, they dipped a bunch of hyssop, some branches of cedar and red wool, in water mingled with the blood of a bird, in the purification of lepers. Hyssop, it is probable, grew to a considerable height in Judea, since the gospel informs us that the soldiers filled a sponge with vinegar, put it upon a reed (or long stem) of hyssop, and presented it to our Saviour upon the cross.