Anise Hyssop Flower Tea

Another herb called anise hyssop agastache foeniculum though unrelated is also used to make this herbal tea.

Anise hyssop flower tea. Anise tea is an herbal tea prepared with the seeds and leaves of the anise plant which bears the scientific name pimpinella anisum. Let s look at each method. Even though its last name is hyssop it belongs to the family labiatae a type of mint. In fact the tea is so sweet that it can be used to sweeten other foods.

The flavorful aromatic hyssop tea is a nourishing drink prepared from the dried stems leaves and flowers of the hyssop plant hyssopus officinalis found in the middle east and parts of europe. Native americans made tea from the leaves and valued anise hyssop as a. The leaves are dried for the cold weather months or used fresh during the summertime. Commonly called blue giant hyssop fragrant giant hyssop or lavender hyssop its potent nectar makes it one of the best plants that attract bees.

Spiky flower heads of anise hyssop. Foeniculum seeds germinate well after exposure to cold and moist conditions. Anise hyssop gives a hint of licorice and mint flavor to foods and drinks and has soothing healing qualities. A kind of hyssop referred to as anise hyssop agastache foeniculum is a member of the mint family which has a licorice like flavor.

The blossoms are often eaten as a salad garnish and fresh or dried leaves may be brewed into a soothing tea. Poach peaches in the tea for an interesting twist. Growing to about 2 3 tall this wildflower can self seed heavily but other then that no real maintenance is required. Anise hyssop has a flavor like anise and has a place with a similar herbal family as hyssop yet it s anything but a cross between the two.

A tablespoon of bruised leaves is steeped in near boiling water for ten minutes. The tea is naturally sweet so extra sweetener is not necessary. Anise has been cultivated and widely used in the middle east and the mediterranean region for thousands of years both as a culinary ingredient and as an element in natural health practices. Anise hyssop is a little enduring herb local to the center of north america.

Anise hyssop agastache foeniculum is an herbaceous perennial with vibrant purple or blue flowers. A form of hyssop known as anise hyssop agastache foeniculum is a member of the mint family that has a licorice like flavor. Native americans made tea through the leaves as well as valued anise hyssop like a medicinal herb because of its capability to enhance digestion in accordance with the illinois state university horticulture center. There are three ways to propagate anise hyssop.

Limonene one of the main components of anise hyssop essential oil neutralizes stomach acid and encourages healthy muscular function of the. This process is called cold stratification. Besides being of great value to bees and pollinators it is generally deer resistant. Anise hyssop makes a delightful addition to mixed herbal teas and a fine tea all to itself.

Its licorice seasoned leaves and seeds can be utilized in teas servings of mixed greens and cooking.