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 the new fallen winter snow is the sense of purity it invites into our lives. We look at the world with spellbound eyes while God puts the land to bed with a fluffy white blanket, saying, “Be cleansed of your work and troubles. Rest for a while.” A land that was covered in the corpses of Fall becomes new and untainted, putting our hearts at rest for a bit. Our gaze is held by the white flurries that cover the ground in pure silence. Somewhere in that moment, an image comes to mind of the purity God desires for our hearts. Pure hearts, clean for Him. Purity implies a sense of holiness that can only be found in Him.

We have other earthly symbols of the spiritual cleanliness God wants for our lives. Hyssop has been regarded as a holy herb for thousands of years, and this is no surprise given its use in the Bible. The Israelites were commanded to use hyssop to paint blood on their doorways, protecting themselves from the angel of death that was to pass over the land. Hyssop was used to purify their homes and 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 and medicinal properties. History tells us that the ancient Romans used hyssop to ward off the plague. Pliny the Elder also talks about the health benefits of this herb in his ancient medical texts. Even today, hyssop is still used for its curative properties and its positive effects on respiratory health. Here are some ways hyssop is used, as shown 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

On colder days, we might desire a hot bath. 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 (one that induces sweating), hyssop helps promote sweating, which helps release 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 (Hyssopus officinalis; not anise hyssop) to your hot bath, along with 1 cup of European bath salts, for a purifying soak. Use the time to consider worthy and uplifting things, prayerfully.

*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!