Hyssop is an evergreen shrubby plant that produces stalks of lovely
purple flowers. While this aromatic herb in the mint family is a common
garden specimen cultivated in temperate regions throughout the world,
hyssop is originally native to the Mediterranean.
Hyssop is also known as holy herb, not only because it is mentioned
in the Bible numerous times but also because it has a long association
with purification. The herb is also attributed with powers of
protection. In fact, in ancient Egypt, it was used as a brush with which
to smear the door mantels of Jewish homes with lamb’s blood in the
belief that the “angel of death” would pass over the home, leaving its
occupants, most notably a firstborn son, unharmed.
