hyssop

Small perennial garden herb () of the mint family, native to the area from southern Europe east to Central Asia and naturalized in North America. Its flowers and evergreen leaves have long been used as a flavouring for foods and beverages and as a folk medicine for nose, throat, and lung afflictions. The plant has a sweet scent and a warm, bitter taste. It is used to flavour both sweet and savory foods, and such liqueurs as absinthe. Hyssop honey is considered especially fine.

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