This article compares and contrasts the differences between anise hyssop and hyssop. By aromatherapist and garden herbalist Sharon Falsetto Chapman.
Just as there’s a difference between anise (Pimpinella anisum) and star anise (Illicium verum), there are two types of "hyssop" that often get confused. However, these two plants do share the same botanical family and anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) shares licorice and anise-like aromas with its confusingly similar named counterparts anise (Pimpinella anisum) and star anise (Illicium verum).
Let’s try to distinguish the difference between them both in this article.
Anise Hyssop Botanically
Both anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) and hyssop (Hyssopus officinale) belong to the Lamiaceae botanical family, commonly known as the mint family. Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) is a native of North America prairies and woodlands. It is an herbaceous perennial and, although short lived, you’ll find that it readily reseeds itself in native locales and in the garden. It is about two to four feet high and not more than about a foot and half in width. It has beautiful purple floral spikes which attract butterflies and bees. In my experience of growing this perennial, at least here in northern Arizona, it can tolerate sun as long as it gets some afternoon shade.
Hyssop Botanically
Hyssop (Hyssopus officinale) has some similarities in looks to anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) at least with regard to its similar purple-blue flowers. However, it is a hardier perennial (in my experience) than anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) and is shorter and shrubbier as well. It has woody stems, with smaller leaves and flowers. Given the right environment, it expands each growing season. Bees and butterflies like this plant, too.
Scent Differences
Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) also goes by the common name of licorice mint – and for good reason. It has a minty, licorice, anise-like aroma. However, hyssop (Hyssopus officinale) does not share the same aroma; it has spicy, herbaceous, camphoraceous aroma.
Hyssop (Hyssopus officinale) leaves and flowers are extracted by distillation to produce an essential oil; anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) does not produce an essential oil for aromatherapy use.
Therapeutic Differences
Hyssop (Hyssopus officinale) is used therapeutically as an essential oil for arthritis, blood pressure, asthma, coughs, bronchitis, indigestion, colds, flu, anxiety, fatigue, stress, and menstrual issues.
Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) is used in herbal medicine (flowers and leaves) for coughs, colds, fevers, insomnia, nausea, and sinus congestion. Use as tea, tincture, infused honey, syrup and infused vinegar.
Learn More about Anise Hyssop and Hyssop
We have many Materia medica profiles in our Botanical Aromatherapy™ membership school so that you can learn the differences between many plants and oils (sunflower level).
To learn more about Botanical Aromatherapy™ school and becoming a sunflower student, visit our web page to learn more.
About the Author:
The author of this article has been working in the health care industry since the 1990’s and in the aromatherapy industry since the 2000’s. She is a UK-certified aromatherapist, a NAHA Certified Professional Aromatherapist®, a gardener, and a certified herbalist with several years of study. She is also a botanical perfumer.
Sharon is both a published author and editor in aromatherapy, a consultant, and custom blend formulator. She is the author of Authentic Aromatherapy and the current chief editor of the NAHA Aromatherapy Journal. Sharon works from her garden studio in Sedona, Arizona, where she gardens and distills plants from her own aromatic gardens, surrounded by natural fauna and flora on an original pioneer homestead property.
