Hedge Hyssop

About 25 species of perennials belong to this genus, which occurs throughout temperate regions. Gratiola officinalis (hedge hyssop) is one of the few that has any merit as a garden plant, making a good subject for the margins of ponds and streams, or in damp areas of the wild garden. Hedge hyssop (hyssopus officinalis); it is an extremely poisonous plant and cannot be used as a substitute. Gratiola officinalis was much used medicinally but is now obsolete on account of its toxicity; it contains cucurbitacins, which are poisonous to living cells, and glycosides similar in effect to those in Digitalis spp. (See, woolly foxglove). Plants are still widely grown in herb gardens and sold as medicinal herbs by specialist nurseries. Gratiola comes from the Latin Gratia, grace or thanks, as it was once revered for its medicinal virtues.

Perennial with white, scaly rhizomes and hollow stems, bearing lanceolate leaves, to 2.5cm (1in) long. Small solitary, yellow-white, tubular flowers, veined purple-red, appear in summer, followed by 4-valved seed capsules.

Common Name:	Hedge Hyssop
Botanical Name:	Gratiola officinalis
Genus:	Gratiola
Family:	Scrophulariaceae
Native Location:	Europe
Cultivation:	Rich, damp to wet, alkaline soil in sun.
Propagation:	By seed sown in spring; by division in spring.
Harvest:	Plants are cut when flowering and dried for use in infusions.
Height:	30-60cm (12-24in)
Width:	20-38cm (8-15in)
Hardiness:	Z5-8
Parts Used:	Whole Plant
Properties:	A bitter, acrid, diuretic herb that stimulates the heart and uterus and has purgative and emetic effects.
Medicinal Uses:	Internally, formerly used for liver complaints, jaundice, dropsy, enlarged spleen, and intestinal worms. Excess causes abortion, kidney damage, and bowel hemorrhage.
Warning:	Toxic if eaten.
Bibliography:	Encyclopedia of herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pg 228