Jupha – Hyssop: Uses, Remedies, Research, Side Effects

Jupha- Hyssopus officinalis is a plant used for the treatment of swelling, constipation, distention of the abdomen, intestinal worms, hepatomegaly, cough and rhinitis. 

Latin name- Hyssopus officinalis Linn.
Family-Labiatae (Tulasi kula)

Vernacular names

Names in different languages:
Hindi name – Jupha
English name – Hyssop
Malayalam name – Isop
Urdu name – Zufah
Chinese – Ngau sat chou
Dutch – Hysop
French – Hysope, Hese saesu
German – Eisop
Greek – Issopos
Hebrew – Esuv
Hindi – Jupha,
Iceland – Isopus
Italian – Issopo
Japanese – Hissopu
Korean – Harob
Norwegian – Hissopo
Russian – Issop
Spanish – Hisopo
Swedish – Isop

Morphology

Morphology of Hyssopus officinalis:
Jupha is a small plant spreading in the ground level and is found in the Himalayan belt. The stem is woody at the base, from which grows a number of straight branches. Its leaves are lanceolate, dark green in color, and from 2 to 2.5 cm (0.79 to 0.98 in) long. The leaves have a small hair-like structure and have a pleasant odor and bitter taste. The flowers are pinkish to purplish in color and have pleasant odor.  They bloom from July to September. The fruit is brown in color and slightly triangular in shape.

Properties, part used, dosage

Properties:
Rasa (Taste) – Katu (Pungent), Tikta (Bitter)
Guna (Qualities) – Laghu (Light for digestion), Ruksha (Dry in nature), Teekshna (Strong)
Vipaka – Katu (Undergoes Pungent taste after digestion)
Veerya (Potency) – Ushna (Hot)
Karma (Actions) – Kaphavata shamaka (reduces vitiated kapha and vata dosha)

Part used- Whole plant
Dosage- 3 to 6 g powder

Chemical constituents

Chemical constituents of Hyssopus officinalis:
Hyssop contains terpenoids, including marrubiin; a volatile oil consisting mainly of camphor, pinocamphone and beta-pinene; flavonoids, glucosides, tannins and resin. Marrubiin is a strong expectorant. The plant also contains ursolic acid, an anti-inflammatory principle. The alcoholic extract of the aerial parts at flower- ing yields an active antioxidant com- pound, rosmanol-ethyl ether. Its activity is much greater than butylated hydroxytoluene. Pinocamphone and isopino camphone are toxic constituents of the essential oil.

जूफा तीक्ष्णा कटुतिक्ता वीर्योष्णा कफवातनुत् ।
शोथघ्नी लेखनी पित्तसारणी कृमिनाशिनी॥   ( द्र.गु.)

Uses, Indications

Uses of Jupha:

  • A tea made from the leaves is used in the treatment of flatulence, stomach aches, upper respiratory tract infections, and coughs in children.
  • A poultice made from the herb is used to heal wounds.
  • The paste of the leaf is applied over the wound for healing.
  • Cold infusion of the leaf is given in a dose of 40 ml to treat hepatomegaly and fever.
  • The paste of the leaf is applied over the forehead to treat rhinitis and headache.
  • Fresh juice of the leaf and flower is given in a dose of 10 ml to treat constipation and distention of the abdomen.
  • The decoction of the leaf is given in a dose of 25 ml to treat intestinal worms.
  • The juice of the leaf is given with honey to treat cough and asthma.
  • The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. This oil should not be used on people who are highly strung as it can cause epileptic symptoms. This oil should not be used internally except under professional supervision.
  • Externally used as a re-solvent particularly for ecchymosis of eye and eyelids. Oil is used to treat cold cough and lung complaints.

Adverse effects

Adverse effect of Hyssop: The essential oil of the plant in excess quantity can cause increased intestinal movement and diarrhea. Apart from the above features it can also cause epileptic attack in persons susceptible to strong odor.

Interaction with medicines, supplements

Can this be used while taking Homeopathic medicine?
Yes. This product does not react with homeopathic medicine.

Can this medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin tablets, Omega 3 fatty acids etc?
Yes. Generally, this product goes well with most dietary supplements. However, if you are taking more than one product per day, please consult your doctor for an opinion.

With western medicines
Seek your doctor’s advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic / modern) medicines. Some Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is best to take Allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes and then take the Ayurvedic medicine.

Ayurvedic medicines

Ayurvedic medicines containing Jupha:
Gojihwadi kashaya: It is an Ayurvedic medicine in water decoction form. It is used in the treatment of fever, cough, bronchitis, asthma etc.

P-KOF syrup: P-KOF Syrup is a proprietary Ayurvedic medicine indicated in Ayurvedic treatment of cold, cough and allergic conditions.
Diakof Linctus – Used for cough and cold in diabetic people, manufactured by Himalaya Herbal Healthcare.

Research

Research articles related to Hyssopus officinalis:
Anti- asthmatic action: It has been proved that Uygur herb Hyssopus offcinalis L. could affect the levels of some cytokines (such as IL-4, IL-6, IL-17, and IFN-γ) in asthmatic mice. By detection of the expressions of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 and the morphological changes, the aim of this research is to reveal the mechanism of Uygur herb Hyssopus offcinalis L. in the process of airway remodeling. It is suggested that Uygur herb Hyssopus offcinalis L. could inhibit airway remodeling by correcting imbalance of MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio.

Ulcero protective action: Ethanolic extract of Hyssopus officinalis (EEHO) at the dose of 100 and 125 mg/kg was administered to albino rats 1 hour before the administration of ethanol. Animals were then sacrificed and tissue homogenate was used for various biochemical parameters in order to explore the ulcero- protective and antioxidant potential of the plant. Administration of 1 ml of ethanol to overnight fasted rats resulted in increased ulcer index, total acidity and decreased pH.  The findings of the study indicate that pre-treatment with EEHO has a significant ulcero- protective and antioxidant activity in ethanol-induced ulcers.

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Subfamily: Nepetoideae
Tribe: Mentheae
Genus: Hyssopus
Species: H. officinalis

Classical categorization

Tulasyadi Varga- Adarsha Nigantu

Author: Dr.B.K.Prashanth M.D (Ayu), Ph.D
E mail: drprashanthbk@gmail.com

Sthanika Karma (Systemic Action)

External – Anti inflammatory, It has a scraping action on the tissues.

Digestive System – Carminative, Liver stimulant, Ant helminthic and facilitate normal movement of vata dosha. indicated in constipation, abdominal distension, Helminthiasis, Hepatomegaly etc.

Circulatory System – Acts as a blood purifier.

Respiratory System – Pacifies kapha dosha. Indicated in Cough, Asthma, Rhinitis, Pulmonary edema etc.

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