Giant Hyssop

Giant Hyssop is a perenial that grows up to 1m tall and belongs to the mint family, like Wild Mint.  It has coarse, saw-toothed leaves, ending with spikes of blue or purple flowers.  It smells like anise.

Giant Hyssop is native to BC, the prairie provinces, and Western Ontario as well as Northern states.  (Marles et al., p. 200)

 

The Woods Cree dry the leaves and added to store-bought tea to make it taste better (MacKinnon et al., p. 275).  But why cite a field guide when we can talk to Rose?  She told us we can do the same with Wild Mint.

The leaf tea has been used for the chest and coughs (Foster & Duke, p.253).  For severe coughing Giant Hyssop leaves are combined with other plants to make the medicine (Dene Elder, published in Marles et al., p. 200).

Giant Hyssop is also used in combination with other plants for treating stomachaches (Cree Elder, published in Marles et al., p.200).

Powdered leaves were rubbed on the body to treat burns, or applied wet when combined with goldenrod and coneflower (MacKinnon et al., p. 275).

The Chippewa also used it for fevers and colds. The Cheyenne also used it to strengthen a weak heart or in steam baths to induce sweating. (Foster & Duke, p.253)