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Anise Hyssop
Agastache
foeniculum
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Description
Anise Hyssop is a tall, erect aromatic perennial that
usually
grows to height of four feet (2). It is a member of the mint
family (Lamiaceae). The leaves have a fragrance similar to anise,
which smells like licorice with a touch of mint (9).
Anise Hyssop is commonly referred to as
"Anise Mint" or "Licorice Mint" (8).
The stems of the plant are square-shaped, and lined with opposite, toothed
leaves (3). The leaves, which are green on top,
with soft gray hairs below, are usually 3-4 inches
long. The tiny, tubular, flowers are bluish purple and two-lipped
(1,6). They grow in
dense, cylindrical shaped spikes (6).
Geographic
Location
Anise Hyssop is found in most areas of North
America. The plant is distributed across Canada from British
Columbia to Ontario. It has spread south to Iowa and Illinois, and
out west as far as Washington (9). The plant is also found in South
Dakota, Colorado and some of the Northeastern states (9). Anise Hyssop grows in
Mexico, and often
cultivated, it has spread eastward and can be found in China and
Japan (9).
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Native
Habitat
Anise Hyssop is native to the great plains
of North America (4). Anise
Hyssop is found in dry
upland woods, open woods, prairies, fields and plains (9).
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Optimal Growing
Conditions
Anise Hyssop grows best in open sun, but
will tolerate a little light shade (9). Fertile,
well drained
soil with a pH of 6.0-6.5 will allow for the best amount of growth (4).
The plant requires a moderate amount of water (9). Too much nitrogen in the soil will kill the plant, and Anise Hyssop is
susceptible to beetle and bug attacks (9).
Seeds take approximately 10-14 days to germinate (4).
Once established, Anise Hyssop spreads slowly by rhizomes and
self-sowing (6). The
plant blooms from June into the Fall (6).
Propagation can be accomplished by seed (quick germination), by cuttings,
or by root divisions (9). Seedlings and mature plants can be
transplanted quite easily (9).
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Economic Importance
Anise Hyssop is an economically important
plant for numerous reasons. It is cultivated for aromatherapy and
perfumes, as a decorative perennial in flower gardens, and as a nectar
plant for honeybees (5).
The dried leaves and essential oils are used to make
potpourri, and other scented products (9). The flower
spikes can be cut for summer bouquets and dried
for winter arrangements (9). The leaves and flowers can be eaten raw or cooked
(9). The seeds are used in cookies, cakes
and muffins. There are many different anise hyssop
dishes, including anise hyssop tea bread, anise hyssop butter cookies, anise hyssop mushroom
pizza, anise hyssop pound cake, and anise hyssop
honey butter (12).
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Ethnobotanical and
Cultural Information
The leaves and roots of the plant were used
by Native Americans to brew medicinal tea, which was used to treat fevers,
colds and coughs (9). Anise Hyssop was so important to the Cree
that they carried the flowers in their medicine bundles when away from
their home (3). The root
of the plant was an ingredient in Chippewa Indian lung formulas (10).
In addition to using Anise Hyssop as a sweetener, the Northern Plains Indians used Anise Hyssop to treat
stomach disorders (11). Anise Hyssop is used in Chinese
prescriptions to treat heatstroke, headache and angina (9).
Recent scientific studies have shown that Anise Hyssop stimulates gastric
secretion, increases digestion, and relaxes blood capillaries. As a
result, it is becoming more common for medicinal use in the United
States. It is also used as an antifungal (3).
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Fascinating Facts
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Agastache comes
from the Greek words agan, which
means "very much" and stachys, which means "a
spike"(11). The
word foeniculum means "like fennel" (11).
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Beekeepers consider Anise Hyssop to be
one of the best honey plants (11).
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The plant was first introduced to
Europe by bee-keepers (11).
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Aside from bees, butterflies and hummingbirds are
attracted to the flowers (7).
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As a result of its anti-viral activities, Anise Hyssop is useful for
treating the cold sores of the herpes simplex virus (3).
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The essential oils necessary for aromatherapy and perfume are
obtained by steam distillation, usually at the bud formation growth stage (3).
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Created by: Patrice
Caines December 3, 2002 |
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