Cleanse Me with Hyssop

“Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow”

Psalms 51:7

Cleanse Me with Hyssop. January 16, 2024.

One of the beauties of snow in the winter is the sense of purity it invites into our lives. We look at the world in front of us with spellbound eyes as God puts the land to bed with a fluffy white blanket, saying “Be cleansed of your work and troubles. Rest for a while.” Suddenly everything becomes fresh and untainted, putting our own hearts at rest for a bit. Time seems to stop while gazing at the white flurries that gently lay themselves on the ground. Somewhere in the serene landscape an image come to mind of the purity God desires for our hearts. Pure hearts that are clean for Him. Purity implies a sense of holiness that is only be found in Him.

We have other earthly symbols of the spiritual cleanliness God want for our lives. Hyssop has been viewed as a holy herb for thousands of years, and yet this is no surprise given its uses in the Bible. The Israelites were commanded to use hyssop to paint blood on their doorways to protect themselves from God’s wrath. Hyssop was used to purify their homes as well as used for cleansing in ritual sacrifices as prescribed by God. And after committing adultery and murder, in great remorse and repentance King David draws on the purifying characteristic of hyssop when he asks the Lord to “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow” (Psalms 51:7).

Traditional uses of hyssop include:

Hyssop has long been associated with cleanliness as well as its medicinal properties. History tells us that the ancient Romans used hyssop to help keep away the plague. Pliny the Elder also talks about the health benefits of this herb in his ancient medical texts. Even now today hyssop is still used for its curative properties as well as its positive effects on respiratory health. Here are some of the ways that hyssop is used as can be seen below.

• Lung and immune support
• Expectorant
• Calming lungs
• As a relaxant for stress and tension
• Fever reduction

*As with all herbs, check with a doctor before using, especially if pregnant or very young.

*Good herb companies will provide education on how to use herbs safely.

Purifying Bath Soak

With colder days the desire for hot baths is more frequent, and a purifying bath to cleanse the body and mind is a wonderful self-care activity. As a member of the mint family, Hyssop has a pleasant camphorous scent that is a cross between eucalyptus and lavender. As a diaphoretic herb (those that induce sweating), hyssop helps promote sweating which releases toxins. Also, a nervine herb (herbs that support the nervous system), hyssop is used for calming making hyssop a good choice for a bath: calming, cleansing, purifying.

Add 3-5 drops of hyssop essential oil (hyssop officinalis; not anise hyssop) to your hot bath along with 1 cup of European bath salts for a purifying bath soak. Use the time to prayfully consider worthy and uplifting things.

*European bath salts are harvested from the Mediterranean Sea and considered amongst the purest of salts in the world.

“May my meditation be pleasing to Him”

Psalms 104:34a

Have a beautiful day!