Biblical Oils - Hyssop

Next on our list is Hyssop.

Honestly I thought Hyssop was more a plant than an oil. I probably got this from reading Exodus 12 when the Israelites placed the blood of a lamb on the doorposts to ward off the last Egyptian plague. Or, from reading 1 Kings 4:33 where it talks about it growing out of the walls. Or, from reading John 19 when the Roman soldiers placed a sponge on a branch of hyssop to offer gall to Jesus. But when we read Psalm 51 we see that hyssop is used to purge someone of sin, so in that case it has to be an oil.

Leviticus 14 includes it with cedarwood (a post to come) as part of the cleansing of a person and of a home. But it steps up a notch in Numbers 19 when it's important enough to be included in the sin cleansing sacrifice of the red heifer for the nation of Israel.  Hebrews 9 also says it was used by Moses as part of a ceremony after reading the law for the first time to the nation of Israel.

So what do they say about it today?

It too has a long laundry list of uses, similar to Frankincense. But, several of the sites I checked had warnings for this oil -- do not use if you have epilepsy or are pregnant. Also, keep it away from children. So while this oil has much it can do, externally and internally, it definitely comes with a warning list that might rival a pharmaceutical TV ad. Remember, while it might be used for one ailment it apparently strongly affects the other systems as well.

So, what can it do?

My sources were Young Living , Organic Facts , Essential Oils pocket reference, and Reference Guide for Essential Oils. According to them it has purifying qualities that makes it good for respiratory and viral infections, respiratory congestion, circulatory issues and parasites (worms). Some medical terms for its uses are: anti-inflammatory; antioxidant; anti-rheumatic; antiseptic; antispasmodic; astringent; carminative;  cicatrisant; decongestant; diuretic; emmenagogue; mucolytic; sedative.  Which when simplified means it is good for arthritis, aids in digestion, helps fade scars, increases frequency of urination, helps regulate the menstrual cycle, and reduces risks of nervous disorders.

It isn't one of the popular oils you hear about, but it does hold its own against other essential oils. Young Living was the only one to call it a slightly sweet wood scent. I guess this is why it was included in the sacrifices mentioned in Leviticus. Over all I found this oil to be quite interesting. For a plant that could grow out of rock walls it sure held many medicinal uses in the inner workings of its oil.