{"id":277547,"date":"2026-01-15T14:30:08","date_gmt":"2026-01-15T14:30:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/?post_type=herb&p=277547"},"modified":"2026-04-16T13:52:40","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T12:52:40","slug":"anise-hyssop","status":"publish","type":"herb","link":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/herb\/anise-hyssop\/","title":{"rendered":"Anise hyssop"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"featured_media":277567,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","beyondwords_generate_audio":"1","beyondwords_integration_method":"rest-api","beyondwords_project_id":"47224","beyondwords_content_id":"337f4153-8965-44bb-8e12-51ad2ac99770","beyondwords_preview_token":"31fae382-9d10-4a60-bec9-eb19d9fe3457","beyondwords_player_content":"","beyondwords_player_style":"","beyondwords_language_code":"","beyondwords_language_id":"","beyondwords_title_voice_id":"","beyondwords_body_voice_id":"","beyondwords_summary_voice_id":"","beyondwords_error_message":"","beyondwords_disabled":"","beyondwords_delete_content":"","beyondwords_podcast_id":"","beyondwords_hash":"","publish_post_to_speechkit":"","speechkit_hash":"","speechkit_generate_audio":"","speechkit_project_id":"","speechkit_podcast_id":"","speechkit_error_message":"","speechkit_disabled":"","speechkit_access_key":"","speechkit_error":"","speechkit_info":"","speechkit_response":"","speechkit_retries":"","speechkit_status":"","speechkit_updated_at":"","_speechkit_link":"","_speechkit_text":""},"tags":[],"conditions":[685,701,695,700],"sustainability":[1576],"sense":[17,1821,27],"western_action":[992,1810,1822,993,994,1003,1007,1010,1018,1025],"chinese_action":[],"ayurvedic_action":[],"energetics_action":[1487,1497,1490,1496,1494,1380],"writer":[1910],"region":[1893],"class_list":["post-277547","herb","type-herb","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","conditions-digestive-system","conditions-immune-system","conditions-respiratory-system","conditions-skin","sustainability-green-sustainability-status","sense-aromatic","sense-sour","sense-sweet","western_action-anti-inflammatory","western_action-antidepressant","western_action-antiemetic","western_action-antimicrobial","western_action-antioxidant","western_action-carminative","western_action-diaphoretic","western_action-expectorant","western_action-relaxant","western_action-vulnerary","energetics_action-dry","energetics_action-pungent","energetics_action-relaxing","energetics_action-sour","energetics_action-sweet","energetics_action-warm","writer-anneliese-lambeth-mansell","region-western-herbs"],"acf":{"last_reviewed":"20251215","herb_author":1910,"banner_text":"Anise hyssop is a highly aromatic herb for the lungs and digestion","latin_name":"Agastache foeniculum<\/span><\/i>","pseudonym_name":"","family_name":"Lamiaceae","herb_summary":"Anise hyssop has a history of traditional use to support the lungs, ease colds and congestion, provide calming digestive comfort, and lift the mood. ","key_benefits":"","how_does_it_feel":"Anyone who likes sweet, aniseed, licoricey flavours, will find anise hyssop delicious. The aroma of sweetness and aniseed hits as soon as the infusion is brewed, with an edge of sourness in the scent. The strong fragrance informs of the high volatile oils content, which are easily evaporated in the steam, so cover the infusion as it is steeping. The taste is comparable to the aroma: sweet, aniseed, liquorice, slight sourness, and very delicately bitter. It leaves a watery feeling in the mouth as the salivary glands are stimulated by the sweetness, and the taste lingers in the mouth and throat from the volatile oils coating the surfaces.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nThere is a slight cooling sensation on the tongue, a characteristic common to mint-family herbs, owing to the high concentration of volatile oils. The hint of sourness indicates the presence of flavonoids, and highlights the antioxidant action which is dominant in this herb. Sour antioxidants (flavonoids) tend to cool the tissues and are protective against oxidative stress, which can lead to inflammation and heat (1). The sweet taste tends to indicate a nourishing and strengthening action, however this is when the sweetness comes from sugars and polysaccharides (1). In the case of anise hyssop, the sweetness is coming from the volatile oils, with actions on the digestive and respiratory systems.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe expectorant action can be felt quickly, with a loosening of mucus, a running nose, and the desire to clear the chest and throat. The carminative active sweeps through the intestines, easing tension and bringing a sense of movement. The energetics are calming, grounding, and relaxing, with a downward movement through the body. This is balanced with the uplifting charm of the scent and taste sensation, that brings a comforting smile to the face. Aromatic oils are often lifting and awakening to the olfactory (smelling) sense (1). This delightful infusion encourages you to sit and enjoy a moment of calm, quiet, joy, ease and pleasure, which really lifts the spirits.<\/span>","hdif_image_1":277570,"hdif_image_2":277569,"hdif_image_3":277567,"hdif_video":"","sense":[17,1821,27],"what_can_i_use_it_for":"[caption id=\"attachment_277568\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"517\"]\"Anise Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum<\/em>)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nDespite the similarity in the names, anise hyssop (<\/span>Agastache foeniculum<\/span><\/i>) is not the same plant as <\/span>hyssop<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>Hyssopus officinalis<\/span><\/i>), or <\/span>aniseed<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>Pimpinella anisum<\/span><\/i>). Although, anise hyssop and hyssop are both in the mint (Lamiaceae) family, and they have similar actions.\u00a0For such a pleasant tasting herb, with a long history of use, anise hyssop is sadly missing from many modern dispensaries. The most common modern use of\u00a0anise hyssop seems to be as an ornamental garden plant, due to its attractive flowers, scented foliage and ecological role in attracting pollinators (2,3).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nAnise hyssop was traditionally applied as a medicine for acute respiratory illness, functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, inflammatory diseases of the urinary system, as well as topical applications (4). It is <\/span>expectorant<\/span><\/a>, soothing, <\/span>anti-inflammatory<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>diaphoretic<\/span><\/a>, making it useful for relieving congestion, <\/span>coughs<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>colds<\/span><\/a> and fever (4). The <\/span>antimicrobial<\/span><\/a> qualities, particularly antibacterial actions, make it effective for treating infected lung conditions such as <\/span>bronchitis<\/span><\/a> and other respiratory tract infections.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nAnise hyssop is also a digestive stimulant, and either an infusion as a tea, or the tincture, are warming digestive aids. As a <\/span>carminative<\/span><\/a> it will help to relieve flatulence and colicky pains, and can be taken to ease nausea and <\/span>diarrhoea<\/span><\/a> (4).Externally, anise hyssop can be used as a poultice, compress or wash, to help heal burns and mild wounds, or reduce itching from stings and rashes. It can be made into an effective bath or foot bath to cool the skin, soothe sunburn, or treat fungal infections such as athletes foot or yeast overgrowth (2,5,6).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nAnise hyssop leaves and flowers can be used as a culinary herb by adding to food (2). It can be chopped into salads or fruit, used in cakes and desserts, and added as an attractive and aromatic garnish to any meal (2,7). Simply chewing on the leaf or flower can be used as an effective breath freshener (5).\u00a0<\/span>","into_the_heart_of":"[caption id=\"attachment_277565\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"506\"]\"Anise Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum<\/em>)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nAnise hyssop is characterised by the dominance of flavonoids and phenolic acids, as well as volatile compounds, particularly monoterpenes (6).\u00a0Estragole appears to be the volatile compound found in the highest concentration in anise hyssop (6,8).\u00a0Estragole is highly aromatic, contributing to the sweet, anise-like scent and flavour, and the antimicrobial and <\/span>antioxidant<\/span><\/a> actions (8).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe volatile oils are reputed to be useful for their varying antimicrobial action, a quality of anise hyssop which has research evidence to support (9). Whole extract of anise hyssop has antibacterial activity against several bacterial strains including <\/span>Staphylococcus aureus<\/span><\/i>,\u00a0<\/span>Staphylococcus haemolyticus<\/span><\/i>,\u00a0<\/span>Klebsiella pneumoniae,<\/span><\/i>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Streptococcus pneumoniae<\/span><\/i> (6). The essential oil extracted from anise hyssop has antimicrobial activity effects on some gram-positive bacteria (<\/span>Staphylococcus aureus, Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens<\/span><\/i>,\u00a0<\/span>Listeria monocytogenes<\/span><\/i>,\u00a0<\/span>Bacillus subtilis<\/span><\/i>) and gram-negative bacteria (<\/span>Salmonella<\/span><\/i>\u00a0sp.,\u00a0<\/span>Proteus vulgaris<\/span><\/i>,\u00a0<\/span>Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginos,<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>Pneumonia vulicans<\/span><\/i> (6,10,11,12).<\/span>\r\n\r\nThere are a range of phenolic constituents in anise hyssop, such as quercetin and genistein in the highest quantities (8). Phenolic compounds tend to be potent antioxidants, with a protective action on many structures of the body (13). Anise hyssop has high antioxidant activity against a range of free radicals, thereby reducing oxidative stress (6,8,14). Oxidative stress is known to influence various chronic degenerative diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, inflammatory diseases, ageing, carcinogenesis, or <\/span>arthritis<\/span><\/a>, and the balance between oxidants and antioxidants in the body can have a significant effect on human health\u00a0(8).<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe phenolic compounds in anise hyssop, specifically acacetin and ursolic acid, also have <\/span>antispasmodic<\/span><\/a> action (6).\u00a0This spasmolytic action of ursolic acid and acacetin has been demonstrated in animal studies, showing a blockage of receptors on the intestinal wall and reduced intestinal spasms (15). Ursolic acid and acacetin also have an antinociceptive action, creating an <\/span>analgesic<\/span><\/a> effect comparable to the medication diclofenac, in mice (15). Estragole, the main component of the volatile oils, has muscle relaxant, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, further contributing to the therapeutic action on the intestines (8).The gastroprotective effect can also be explained by anise hyssop causing an increased secretion of gastric mucus and the inhibition of inflammatory cells (6). The tannins found in anise hyssop have astringent and antimicrobial properties, supporting the gut lining and mediating diarrhoea (9).<\/span>\r\n\r\nEnergetically, anise hyssop is warm and dry, used to clear excessive dampness from the stomach and spleen, and heaviness from the chest (5). Plants which are high in volatile oils tend to be warming, drying, and moving as they stimulate the senses and promote digestion (1). These energetic actions are directed at the lungs, dispersing energy and shifting stagnation in this organ (1).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nAs a flower essence is said to bring sweetness after the weight of guilt and shame, lightening the heart. It is useful as a post-trauma stabiliser, supporting body and soul integration and aiding the ability to forgive, and accept forgiveness.\u00a0<\/span>","tradtional_uses":"[caption id=\"attachment_277566\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"513\"]\"Anise Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum<\/em>)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nAnise hyssop is native to North America and is not mentioned in old European herbal texts, but it featured prominently in Native American ethnobotanical traditions. It was not known in European countries until recently, and only appears in a modest number of modern herbal resources. The earliest recorded uses come from Indigenous communities rather than European herbalists and pharmacopoeia's. Many Indigenous tribes in America refer to the species as bear mint, horse mint, and elk mint, and used it as a tea for colds, coughs, and a weak heart\u00a0(9). <\/span>\r\n\r\nTribes such as the Cree, Cheyenne and Ojibwe used it for respiratory ailments, fevers, digestive support and as an external application on burns\u00a0(7). An infusion of the leaves was specifically used to treat heart conditions and chest pain from coughing (7). It was also brewed as a calming tea, and used to sweeten foods (7). It was used in sweat lodge ceremonies, and in baths to reduce a fever by inducing sweating (7). Native Americans also included it in their medicine bundles, burning it as incense for protection (4).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nIn Western herbal practice the leaves have traditionally been used as a poultice for burns, fever, headaches, heatstroke and herpes (5). In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) anise hyssop is used to treat nausea, vomiting, fever, <\/span>headaches<\/span><\/a>, colds, indigestion, poor appetite, diarrhoea, and externally for tinea (ringworm) on the hands and feet (7).\u00a0<\/span>","what_practioners_say":"Anise hyssop is largely missed from the authoritative herbal texts and modern pharmacopeia\u2019s, and absent from many herbal dispensaries. It is a very pleasant tasting herb with a history of traditional use as an antibacterial, anti-emetic, antifungal, diaphoretic, expectorant and digestive stimulant (2,5).<\/span>\r\n\r\n\"Respiratory\r\n

Respiratory system<\/a><\/h3>\r\nAs with many of the mint-family herbs, anise hyssop is an effective herb for supporting the respiratory system. The aromatic oils give it the delightful aroma, and are antimicrobial and expectorant. This helps to clear catarrh and supports the mucus membranes in the upper respiratory tracts (5,16). In order to clear the sinuses and restore function to the delicate mucus membranes in the respiratory tracts, combine anise hyssop with <\/span>ground ivy<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>Glechoma hederacea)<\/span><\/i>, <\/span>plantain<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>Plantago lanceolata<\/span><\/i>), and <\/span>eucalyptus<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>Eucalyptus<\/span><\/i> spp).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nAnise hyssop is a useful herb to add to remedies for the common cold, congestion, flu, or a fever. It combines well with <\/span>elderflower<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>Sambucus nigra<\/span><\/i>), <\/span>elderberry<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>peppermint<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>Mentha piperita<\/span><\/i>), and <\/span>yarrow<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>Achillea millefolium<\/span><\/i>). It also works well for persistent coughs, combining well with <\/span>hyssop<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>mullein<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>Verbascum thapsus<\/span><\/i>) and <\/span>liquorice<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>Glycyrrhiza glabra<\/span><\/i>). Where there are any signs of infection in the chest or in cases of bronchitis, the antimicrobial action can be enhanced by combining with <\/span>thyme<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>Thymus vulgaris<\/span><\/i>), <\/span>elecampane<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>Inula helenium<\/span><\/i>), and <\/span>ginger<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>Zingiber officinale<\/span><\/i>).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nAnise hyssop is a welcome addition to any remedy, particularly when feeling unwell with an acute illness, to bring sweetness along with the expectorant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory actions.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n

Digestive system<\/a><\/h3>\r\nAnise hyssop is a wonderful herb to include in remedies for bloating, colic, diarrhoea, morning sickness, nausea, and poor appetite (5). Anise hyssop is an aromatic carminative due to the constituents within the aromatic oils, which have an antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effect on walls of the alimentary canal (16). The antispasmodic effect on the intestinal tissues explaining its use in folk medicine for abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal diseases (6).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe gastroprotective effects are also linked to the increased secretion of gastric mucus and the inhibition of inflammatory cells (6). Together, the antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions of the constituents in anise hyssop reinforce its use as a therapy for visceral pain in the digestive tract, as applied in traditional medicine (6,8,15). These gastroprotective effects support its use as a medicinal plant in the treatment of digestive disorders such as in acute gastritis, dyspepsia, nausea, and vomiting (6).<\/span>\r\n\r\nAnise hyssop makes a delicious tea to drink after meals, to aid digestion. It combines well with <\/span>hyssop<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>fennel<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>Foeniculum vulgare<\/span><\/i>), <\/span>aniseed<\/span><\/a>, and helps to take the edge off digestive bitter herbs like <\/span>angelica<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>Angelica archangelica<\/span><\/i>) or <\/span>chicory root<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>Cichorium intybus<\/span><\/i>). You can read more about digestive health <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\r\n

Skin health<\/a><\/h3>\r\nThe leaves of anise hyssop were traditionally used as a poultice for burns and herpes, and this is supported by modern research showing improved wound healing and reduced skin inflammation (17). Anise hyssop has high antioxidant activity against a range of free radicals, reducing oxidative stress (6,14). Chronic wounds are frequently hindered by high levels of reactive oxygen species, which perpetuate inflammation and delay healing (17). Antioxidants could mitigate oxidative stress, reduce inflammation and promote wound repair (17). Anise hyssop can be used as a wash from a strong infusion, or incorporated into creams and balms for wound healing. Explore our article on <\/span>how to <\/span>make<\/span> herbal creams<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>","research":"[caption id=\"attachment_277571\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"514\"]\"Anise Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum<\/em>)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThere is a lack of clinical evidence from human trials to support the use of anise hyssop, and the indications for use are largely based on traditional use. There is some <\/span>in vitro<\/span><\/i> research to determine the plant constituents, and some <\/span>in vivo<\/span><\/i> animal studies of whole extracts and isolated constituents.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n

Changes in major bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity of\u00a0Agastache foeniculum, Lavandula angustifolia, Melissa officinali<\/i>s\u00a0and\u00a0Nepeta cataria<\/i>: Effect of harvest time and plant species<\/h3>\r\nThis study identified the bioactive compounds in anise hyssop, as well as the developmental stage when these constituents are highest, and the optimum time of day to harvest. The study investigated the antioxidant activity and polyphenolic content of the anise hyssop extracts, prepared from plants harvested at two phenological phases of development (beginning of blooming and full bloom), and at two time points (11\u00a0am and 4\u00a0pm). There was a high phenolic acid and flavonoid content across the samples, and high antioxidant activity. The best stage for harvesting the plants to have maximum amount of bioactive compounds was at the beginning of blooming (the first period of June) and in the afternoon (14).<\/span>\r\n

Comparative study of useful compounds extracted from\u00a0Lophanthus anisatus<\/i>\u00a0by green extraction<\/h3>\r\nThis study determined the essential oil\u00a0 (EO) components in <\/span>Agastache foeniculum<\/span><\/i>\u00a0(<\/span>Lophanthus anisatus<\/span><\/i>) extracted from different parts of the plant. The study compared different extraction processes: hydro-distillation (HD); bio-solvent assisted distillation (BiAD); and, supercritical fluid extraction with CO<\/span>2<\/span>\u00a0and ethanol co-solvent (SCFE). The EO yield values varied for the method of extraction, increasing for each method, respectively. <\/span>\r\n\r\nThe different parts of the plant provided different amounts of EO, with the flowers giving the highest, followed by the leaves, then the whole aerial parts. The values were 0.62, 0.92, 1.26 g\/100 g for the whole aerial plant, 0.75, 1.06, 2.04 g\/100 g for the leaves, and 1.22, 1.60 and 2.51 g\/100 g for the flowers, for HD, BiAD, and SCFE, respectively. The main EO constituents in anise hyssop were: Estragon (30\u201393%), limonene (8%), eugenol (30%), chavicol (14%), benzaldehyde, and pentanol. Antimicrobial effects were demonstrated against\u00a0<\/span>Staphylococcus aureus<\/span><\/i>,\u00a0<\/span>Escherichia coli<\/span><\/i>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Pseudomonas aeruginosa<\/span><\/i> (11).<\/span>\r\n

Effects of Agastache foeniculum<\/i> essential oil on skin wound healing in mice\u00a0<\/i><\/h3>\r\nThis study examined the effect of a topical application of anise hyssop (<\/span>Agastache foeniculum)<\/span><\/i> essential oil to wound healing, in mice. Over nine days, either <\/span>Agastache foeniculum<\/span><\/i> (AGS), sham (SH), or, soybean oil (SB) were applied to wounds, and the healing response measured until day 14. Compared to the control groups, the AGS group demonstrated significantly: Accelerated wound healing; higher total antioxidant capacity; lower markers of oxidative stress; elevated collagen deposition; reduced inflammation; and enhanced tissue remodelling. These findings indicate that anise hyssop essential oil supports wound healing through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, highlighting its therapeutic potential in wound management (17).<\/span>","did_you_know":"The genus name \"<\/span>Agastache<\/span><\/i>\" comes from the Greek word meaning \"many spiked\", referring to the many-spiked storks and flower heads on the plant (5). The species name \"<\/span>foeniculum<\/span><\/i>\" derives from the Greek <\/span>foenum<\/span><\/i>, meaning \"fragrant hay\", on account of the delightful aroma of the plant (5). <\/span>","additional_information_right":{"illustration":277577},"additional_information_left":{"botany":"Anise hyssop is a deciduous, herbaceous perennial in the mint family, with aromatic green, leafy upright stems, growing to 0.5\u20131 m tall (3). The dark green leaves are roughly textured and have soft, grey hairs on the underside (5). <\/span>\r\n\r\nThe leaves are opposite along the stem, oval at the base, and pointed at the tip (5). It has slim, bottlebrush-like spikes of aromatic white, two-lipped tubular flowers, which appear from summer to autumn (3). <\/span>\r\n\r\nIf the seedheads are left during the winter they provide architectural interest in flower borders, and a food source for birds and wildlife (3). <\/span>","common_names":"