Anise Hyssop (Agastache Foeniculum) Cut & Sifted Herb

Description ShareTweetPinLinkedInPrintEmail Anise Hyssop (Agastache Foeniculum) Cut & Sifted Herb HERB COMMON NAME :  Anise Hyssop HERB SCIENTIFIC NAME :  Agastache Foeniculum OTHER NAMES :  Blue Hyssop, Blue Giant Hyssop, Fragrant Giant Hyssop, Fragrant Hyssop, Lavender Hyssop, Lavender Giant Hyssop, Licorice Mint, Anise-Mint, Wonder Honey Plant, Elk Mint FAMILY :  Lamiaceae ASSOCIATIONS & CORRESPONDENCES : Planet: Mercury Zodiac Sign: Aries Chakra: 3rd Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura) Energy: Yang Gender: Masculine Rune: Fehu   Parts Used:  Leaves and Flowers Description:  Agastache foeniculum is a member of the mint family, but with a distinct flavor and aroma that is reminiscent of anise. Neither the herbs anise or hyssop, anise hyssop is a distinct species of its own. Anise hyssop is good for cut flowers and in potpourri, and the flowers dry nicely to navy blue. Anise hyssop has an uplifting and alluring taste. Its flowers and leaves are also enjoyed in salad dressings, herbal tea blends, in baked goods, fruit salads, ice cream, honey, and more. The dried leaves and flowers are also added to baths and used in skin care recipes. Hot anise hyssop tea (which tastes like a pleasantly bitter and floral cross between mint and black licorice) is slightly sedating and tranquilizing. It is also said to help relieve chest congestion, cough, fever, respiratory infections like bronchitis, and diarrhea. The Cheyenne drank a tepid tea of anise hyssop to relieve the pain from coughing with chest colds. The herb produces sweating, and the Cheyenne also used it for sweat lodges. The Iroquois made it into a wash against the itching of poison ivy.  It’s also a traditional poultice for burns. Historical Uses:  itchy poison ivy, burns, sedative, tranquilizing, calming, stress, anxiety, nervousness, chest congestion, cough, bronchitis, fever, diarrhea Mystical Attributes:  The Native Americans found many uses for this North American plant. The Cheyenne drank a tea of this herb to relieve a “dispirited heart.” The Cree included the flowers of this magick herb in medicine bundles, and the Chippewa made a protective charm of it. Anise hyssop is a wonderful addition to the cottage or fairy garden. The beautiful fragrant plant attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and finches. Plant it around your back door for protection or add it to a back border. The dried plant has been burned as incense. Some claim that the herb has a calming and grounding spirit. The flower essence is said to bring back sweetness after one has indulged in unwarranted guilt, to encourage honest communication, and to allay anxiety before exams or performances. Anise hyssop is also believed to symbolize cleanliness. It has been used since ancient times to cleanse holy places. Mystical Intentions:  cleansing, purification, broken heart, guilty feelings, communication, performance anxiety, uplifting, calm, negative thoughts, relieve anxiety, grounding, tranquility, relaxation, gardening, fairy garden, fae magic, public speaking Other Uses: Steep 2 teaspoons of fresh or 1 teaspoon of dried anise hyssop herp in a mug of hot water for 7-10 minutes for a slightly sedating and tranquilizing tea. The leaves or flowers of anise hyssop are edible and can be used to sweeten tea or flavor sugar or quickbreads and muffins (add 1/2 cup chopped fresh flowers). Add anise hyssop leaves to fruit salads. Steep anise hyssop leaves in milk for flavoring when making ice cream. You can make anise-hyssop honey (or any herb honey) by putting some dried (don’t use fresh for this) leaves in a jar, pouring warm honey over them, and leaving them for a month for the honey to soak up the herb taste. Anise hyssop is sometimes infused into syrups and cordials. Make some delicious butter cookies by adding 2 tablespoons of fresh minced anise hyssop flowers to the dough. Anise Hyssop flowers make a nice garnish for iced tea.   Taste & Smell:  Anise Hyssop smells like black licorice, with notes of lemon, pine, sage, black pepper, and camphor Botany, Cultivation & Harvesting:  Anise hyssop is a typical prairie plant but also likes growing on the edges of open woodlands. It’s a wonderful addition to the cottage garden, especially along with other bee plants. It is a popular garden plant as it is tolerant of drought and attracts a wide variety of pollinators. It is a great honey plant. The color and shape of the flowers are among bees’ favorites. It attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, and goldfinches like to eat its seeds. The 1969 edition of the Rodale’s Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening claims that one acre of planted anise hyssop can support 100 honeybee hives. Rabbits also tend to love it. Deer avoid anise hyssop, so a back border is helpful for keeping them away. Anise hyssop is an herbaceous perennial and member of the Lamiaceae (mint) family. It is native to North America and grows especially well in the Great Plains and prairies of the United States. Anise hyssop is hardy from zone 5 to 9 (down to -28.8° C (-20° F)). You can also grow it on a bright windowsill indoors or under shop lights. Anise hyssop typically grows two to four feet tall, and about one foot wide, in a clump-like upright shape. As a member of the mint family, it has a characteristic square stem and opposite leaves. The leaves are oval and toothed with a white tint underneath. Its flowers are usually bright lavender (more colorful at the top), although at times can range from pink to white. Flowers bloom on average from June to September, or until the first frost. One plant may produce upwards of 90,000 individual flowers. The root system produces a taproot that travels underground. Anise hyssop readily self-seeds. Seeds require light to germinate, so barely cover at room temperature to germinate 5-30 days. Keep soil moist but not sopping. Use bottom watering or keep the pot in an open baggie or under a humidity dome. Some sources believe using bottom heat will speed germination. Others recommend that this seed be cold stratified for two months before planting – sow them in a paper towel that has been wet and wrung out. Fold the towel up and put in a baggie. Put the baggie in a refrigerator for two months, then put in indirect light. When germination starts, unfold the towel and cut it into small squares. Gently press each square against wet potting soil to “plant.” Keep pots in an open baggie until seedlings grow through the paper towel and are established. Do not put in direct sun. Transplant to 1 ft/.25m apart in rich soil and full sun or partial shade – stalks will be stronger in full sun. It might need staking in partial shade. The best place for mints in the garden is by a leaky faucet. This perennial generally blooms the second year from seeds but might bloom the first year. Cut it back by 1/3 after blooming, and it will get bushier and rebloom.     Sources: https://spiritartsandherbs.com/sources **IMPORTANT INFORMATON: Products are sold as curio items for entertainment purposes only and based upon historical and magical uses.  We do not imply or guarantee that any items provide specific abilities, powers, outcomes, remedies, or treatments. Any information provided on listings or through private conversation is intended for educational purposes only and are based on historical folklore and traditions, and should not replace the advice of a physician. Use our products at your own risk. By purchasing this item, you understand and release Spirit Arts & Herbs Inc from any liability. No items we sell are for internal use and should never be ingested for any reason. Some may also not be safe for topical application, or even be safe to touch while unprotected. Always use proper safety precautions when using our products. We will not be held responsible for illness, injury, or death from the use of any product. PRODUCT IS NOT A TREATMENT. This product has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. CAUTION : Do not use ANY product if pregnant or nursing. Do not use if allergic to any ingredients. Prior to use, consult with your professional health-care provider to ensure safe use and understand effects that ingredients may cause relative to safety, personal conditions, and medication interactions which may be harmful. FOR ADULT USE ONLY. By purchasing, you confirm that you are over 18 years of age. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not use more than recommended by your healthcare professional.  Purchase of this product indicates that you have read, understand, and agree to Spirit Arts & Herbs Terms and Conditions. Many of our products are hand made to order. Once orders are in processing, products are non-cancellable, non-refundable, and not returnable. Shipping times may be up to 3-4 weeks. ShareTweetPinLinkedInPrintEmail Related