Anise Hyssop
Agastache foeniculum
$25.00
Out of stock
Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum), often called licorice mint, is a versatile North American native plant in the mint family known for its sweet, anise-like fragrance. Despite its name, it is neither a true anise nor a true hyssop. Historically used by Indigenous North American tribes, anise hyssop is prized for its respiratory and digestive benefits.
Medicinal Uses
Respiratory Relief: Taken as a hot tea, it acts as an expectorant to clear mucus from the lungs and sinuses. It is often combined with licorice root for bronchitis or thyme for sore throats.
Digestive Support: Its carminative properties help relieve gas, bloating, and intestinal cramping.
Calming Effects: The herb is traditionally used to "enliven the mood" and treat mild anxiety or depression.
Topical Care: A cooled tea infusion can be used as a wash to relieve itching from poison ivy, while a poultice of mashed fresh leaves may help soothe minor burns and wounds.
Culinary Uses
The leaves, flowers, and seeds of anise hyssop are all edible and possess a distinct licorice-mint flavor.
Fresh Salads: Use fresh leaves or small purple flower petals as a fragrant garnish for green or fruit salads.
Baking & Desserts: Fold chopped leaves into shortbread, muffins, or cookie dough. The seeds can also be used as a licorice-flavored substitute in biscotti or muffin mixes.
Herbal Sweeteners: Infuse honey by immersing fresh leaves and flowers in a jar for three weeks, rotating daily. You can also blend dried leaves into sugar for topping pastries.
Beverages: Fresh sprigs make a refreshing addition to iced tea or cocktails.
Common Uses and Preparation
To prep Anise Hyssop as a liquid tonic, you can go the slow-steeped route or the "instant" tincture route. Here’s the breakdown:
1. Tea (Infusion)
This is the best way to enjoy the aromatic oils and soothing properties.
The Ratio: Use 1 tbsp dried herb, 2 tbsp fresh, or 1 dropper of tincture per 8-12 oz of hot water.
The Steep: Cover your mug (to keep those licorice-scented essential oils from steaming away!) and steep for 10–15 minutes.
The Hack: If you’re fighting a stubborn cough, steep a double-strength batch for 30+ minutes to draw out more of the plant's mucilage.
2. Tincture (Liquid Extract)
Tinctures are ideal for on-the-go use or when a full cup of tea is not desired. They are highly concentrated and shelf-stable.
Usage Guidelines: Generally, a small amount is taken in divided doses throughout the day. A dose can be 5-10 drops up to a full dropper.
How to Use:
Direct: Taken directly, often placed under the tongue for rapid absorption.
Diluted: Mixed into a small amount of water or juice to mitigate the taste of the solvent.
3. Syrup: Often used to make sweet, soothing herbal syrup for coughs.
Anise Hyssop & Honey Syrup Recipe
This basic recipe uses the herb's natural expectorant and soothing properties.
Ingredients:
1 cup water
1/2 cup fresh anise hyssop leaves/flowers (or 1/3 cup dried)
1/2 to 1 cup raw honey
Instructions:
· Infuse: Bring water to a boil, then pour it over the herbs in a heat-safe vessel.
· Steep: Cover and let steep for 20–40 minutes to create a concentrated infusion.
· Strain: Remove the herbs, pressing them to extract all the liquid.
· Mix: While the liquid is still warm (but not boiling), stir in the honey until dissolved.
· Store: Bottle in a clean glass jar and store in the refrigerator.
Shelf Life: A syrup with equal parts honey and tea lasts about 2 months; doubling the honey can extend this to 6–12 months.
Dosage: Take 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon as needed for coughs and sore throats.
Which one should you use?
Choose Tea for digestive comfort, sore throats, or as a relaxing ritual.
Choose Tincture for quick support or when traveling.
Choose Syrup for persistent congested coughs and expelling mucus from the lungs.
Safety and Precautions
While Anise hyssop is generally considered safe and mild, there are a few specific "heads up" items you should keep in mind before making it a pantry staple:
1. Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Contradiction: Anise hyssop is traditionally avoided during pregnancy. It is often categorized as an emmenagogue (an herb that can stimulate blood flow to the pelvic area), which carries a theoretical risk of stimulating uterine contractions.
Breastfeeding: There isn't enough reliable clinical data to confirm safety while nursing, so it’s best to stick to culinary amounts rather than medicinal doses.
2. Allergies (The Mint Family)
Cross-Reactivity: Since it is a member of the Lamiaceae (mint) family, if you have a known allergy to basil, oregano, lavender, or common mint, you might experience a reaction to anise hyssop.
Symptoms: Look out for skin rashes, hives, or an itchy throat.
3. Blood Sugar Interactions
Caution: Some herbalists suggest that anise hyssop may have mild hypoglycemic (blood sugar lowering) effects. If you are taking medication for diabetes or have issues with hypoglycemia, keep an eye on your levels to ensure they don't dip too low.
4. Surgery
Clotting: Because the herb contains compounds that may affect blood clotting or blood sugar, it is generally recommended to stop using medicinal amounts at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
5. Essential Oil Concentration
Internal Use: Never ingest the pure essential oil of anise hyssop. It is highly concentrated and can be toxic if swallowed. Stick to the whole herb (tea/syrup) or professionally prepared tinctures.
6. Potential for Drowsiness
Synergy: Due to its mild sedative properties, anise hyssop might enhance the effects of other substances that cause drowsiness, such as sleep aids or certain medications.
Growing and Harvesting
Anise hyssop is a hardy, low-maintenance perennial that thrives in USDA zones 4–8. It is prized by gardeners for being both deer and rabbit resistant and a "pollinator powerhouse" for bees and hummingbirds.
Growing Conditions
Light: Prefers full sun (at least 6 hours) for the best flower production and highest oil content in leaves, though it tolerates partial shade.
Soil: Requires well-drained soil to prevent root rot. It is not fussy about fertility and can grow in sandy or loamy soils with a neutral pH (6.0–7.0).
Water: Keep soil evenly moist while establishing. Once mature, it is drought-tolerant and only needs watering during extended dry spells.
Planting & Propagation
Timing: Plant outdoors in spring after the last frost.
From Seed: Seeds need light to germinate, so surface-sow them by pressing them into the soil without covering them deeply.
Cold Stratification: For better results, seeds benefit from a 30-day cold, moist period (stratification) in the fridge before spring planting.
Spacing: Space plants 12–24 inches apart.
Harvesting Techniques
Leaves: For the best flavor, harvest leaves in the morning after dew has dried but before the heat of the day. They are most potent just before the plant flowers.
Flowers: Harvest flower spikes when they are about two-thirds open.
Pruning: Cut stems about 4–5 inches from the base to encourage bushier regrowth. Avoid removing more than 30% of the plant at once.
Preserving Your Harvest
Drying: Bundle stems and hang them upside down in a cool, dark, well-ventilated area for 7–10 days.
Seeds: To save seeds for next year, allow flower heads to dry completely on the plant, then bag the spikes or shake them into a container.
Storage: Once leaves are "crunchy" dry, strip them from the stems and store them in an airtight glass jar away from direct light.
Companion Planting
Best Friends: Pairs well with other sun-lovers like
Echinacea, Black-eyed Susan's, Lavender, and Bee Balm.
Perennial
Deer Resistant