Hops is a tall, climbing perennial plant, growing to 23 ft (7 m) on bines (long stout stems with strong hair to aid climbing that can reach 22 feet in height), bearing dark green coloured, heart-shaped leaves on a fibrous stalk with finely toothed edges, indigenous to Europe and Asia.
• Hop plants are either male or female. The male and female flowers spring from the axils of the leaves on separate plants.
Plant Description
History
Types & Varieties
Mechanism of Action
Additional Information
• Sedative
• Soporific
• Anti-Spasmodic
• Aromatic bitter
• Anodyne
• Anti-bacterial
• Anti-Microbial
• Anxiolytic (anti-Anxiety)
• Astringent
• Bitter Tonic
• Carminative
• Choleretic
• Diuretic
• Febrifuge
• Hypnotic
• Nervine
• Nervine Tonic
Hops Common Uses:
• Alcohol and drug recovery, Alcohol replacement, Anxiety, Anxiety / Stress, Digestion, Digestive complaints, Gastrointestinal disorders, Harm reduction from cannabis, Harm reduction opiates/Alcohol, Heart Palpitations, Indigestion, Insomnia, Nervous System, Nicotine and drug withdrawal, Edema (Dropsy), Pain, Relaxation, Restlessness, Sedation, Sexual Anxiety, Stress, Teenage Acne, Tension, Trauma (Emotional),
Usable Parts
Parts Used: strobiles
• Strobiles (female flowers) are leafy conelike catkins. Ripe strobiles may be used fresh but are more commonly dried for their Sedative and bitter action.• The flowers of the male plant grow in panicles, 3-5 inches long, but are not cultivated and only the female flowers are used for medicinal purposes.
• Strobiles (the Fruit of the female plant) resemble small Pine cones and when fully ripe measures about 1-2 inches long, in a rounded, oblong shape with a number of overlapping, yellowish-green bracts, attached to a separate central point containing a small Fruit (achene) at the base.
• The female flowering heads are harvested in the autumn and can be used fresh or dried. The female Fruiting body is anodyne, antiseptic, antispasmodic, Diuretic, Febrifuge, Hypnotic, Nervine and Sedative.
Directions of Preparation
Infusion (for Insomnia) – Drink 3/4 cup (150 ml) at night. A tablespoon of powder dissolved in 1/2 cup of Water. take into account that it quickly loses its efficiency. 1/2 a cup 2 times a day or 1 cup at bedtime or 10 drops of the extract in 1/2 cup of Water.
Sachet – Make a sachet with 100 g dried herb. Put inside a pillow to aid sleep.
Tablets (usually contain other herbs) – Take for Stress or sleeplessness.
Tincture – For excessive Anxiety, take 20 drops diluted in a glass of Water 3 times a day. For Digestive Headaches, take 10 drops with Water up to 6 times a day.
Capsules – To stimulate the appetite, take a 300 mg capsule 2 times a day before meals.
Infusion Preparation 2 – 1-2 tsp per cup. Steep covered for 10 minutes. Drink 2-3 times daily.
Recommended Dosage
• Hops contain:
• Bitter Principles (lupulin containing humulon, lupulon and Valerianic acid)
• Volatile oil (1% , beta-caryophyllene, farnescene and humulene [sesquiterpenes], and myrcene [Monoterpene])
• Flavonoids (astragalin, Kaempferol, Quercetin, quercitrin and Rutin)
• Estrogenic substances
• Oleo-resin (15-30%, Bitter Principles [acylphloroglucides], alpha-acids [e.g. humulone, cohumulone, adhumulone, prehumulone, posthumulone], beta-acids [e.g. lupulone, colupulone, adlupulone], hydrophilic delta-resin and hydrophilic chi-resin).
• Hops active ingredients are Resin with lupamaric acid, lupulin, frumulene, Essential Oils, Tannin, estrogenic substances, trimethylamine.
• The bracts and achene contain the bitter principle lupulin (which gives Hops its tonic qualities).
Note:
* The flowers of the male plant grow in panicles, 3-5 inches long, but are not cultivated and only the female flowers are used for medicinal purposes.
* Strobiles (the Fruit of the female plant) resemble small Pine cones and when fully ripe measures about 1-2 inches long, in a rounded, oblong shape with a number of overlapping, yellowish-green bracts, attached to a separate central point containing a small Fruit (achene) at the base. The bracts and achene contain the bitter principle lupulin, which gives Hops its tonic qualities.
* Hops are related to Marijuana (Cannabis sativa) and are both having a mellowing relaxant and a satisfying Smoking effect.
* Only the female flowers are used for medicinal purposes
Precaution:
* Its well known to decrease sexual desire.
* Do not take (or administer) to persons suffering from acute Depression.
* It cause allergenic, dermatitis effect, due to its oleo-resin content.
* It should not be used in Breastfeeding or in cases of marked Depression.
Health Benefits of Hops
Cancer & Tumor Prevention
• Hops is useful as an herbal Anti-Cancer agent by helping to prevent the formation of new blood vessels, thus preventing different Cancer types from starting, growing, or spreading.
• A pomade made from lupulin has been used to remedy Cancerous ulcerations.
Foods & Cancer
Detoxification
• Hops have Diuretic properties and are reputed to increase perspiration.
• It contain Asparagine (an Amino Acids) , along with poly-Phenolic Tannins, making it effective in treating stones in Gall Bladder, kidney and Urinary Tract System, Cystitis, debility, delirium, Diarrhea, Indigestion / Dyspepsia, Jaundice and rheumatism.
Precaution:
* Hops have Diuretic properties which may affect certain enzymes in The Liver and shoild be taken with moderation.
Foods & Detoxification
Digestive System
• Hops contain humulone and lupulone which anti-bacterial properties which aid in the digestion of food as it stimulate gastric juice production.
• Its generally Sedative and also stimulate Digestive function.
• Its Bitter Principles strongly stimulate and benefits the Digestive System, increasing the rate of gastric/stomach secretions and other secretions, and relaxing spasms and Colic.
• The strongly bitter flavour largely accounts for its ability to strengthen and stimulate the digestion, increasing gastric and other secretions.
Foods & Digestive System
Infections
• Hops constituents (such as lupulon and humulon) are anti-septic.
• Its flower’s extracts have been used in treating Leprosy, pulmonary Tuberculosis, and acute bacterial dysentery.
Foods & Infections
Musculoskeletal System
• Hops increases perspiration and is used in many pain killers as it helps in relaxing the aching muscles and body pain.
• A combination of Hops and Valerian, helps to relax overly Stressed muscles, ease stiff joints, and prevent spasms and twitching.
• Its Anti-Spasmodic action makes it useful for certain types of Asthma.
• It helps to relax smooth muscle, but some of its isolated constituents depress central nervous activity.
Foods & Musculoskeletal System
Skin Health
• Hops contain Asparagine (an Amino Acids) and Poly-phenolic Tannins, making it effective in treating Boils, Bruises, inflammation, Ear ache and toothache.
• Its flowers extract have been used in treating Leprosy.
Foods & Skin Health
The Brain & Nervous System
• Hops it modulates the GABA receptors in the brain. Its a great alleviator of nervous tension and indeed an all round Nervine tonic, Hops eases Stress and tension.
• Lupulin (its constituents) are Sedative, hence used as a sachet placed inside a bed pillow to release an aroma that promote a sound night’s sleep by calming the mind and helping to reduce irritability and restlessness.
• Hops dried female strobiles have Sedative effects (analgesic substance) on the central Nervous System due to its methyl-butenol content and has been used as a treatment for Stress, Anxiety, and Insomnia over the ages.
• Hops (blended with other herbs) are good for Stress, Anxiety, tension, and Headaches, where Depression is not a factor.
• Xanthohumol (a compound found in Hops) may help protect the brain’s cells from oxidative Stress, thus protect the brain from degenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer Disease.
• Its bud contains lupuline, whose Smoking gives a mellow effect. Unfortunately, burning Hops is a little harsh on the throat and is best blended with Coltsfoot or similar to soften it.
• Hops has a long and proven history of use medicinally, being employed mainly for its soothing, Sedative, tonic and calming effect on the body and the mind.
Precaution:
* Individuals who suffer from major Depression or who use medication for Insomnia or Anxiety are advised to avoid taking Hops due to its Sedative properties.
* Combining Hops with other Sedative herbs such as Catnip, St.John’s wort, Valerian, or Kava Kava may result in excessive sedation.
Foods & Nervous System
Women Health
• Hops contain Phytoestrogen (acts like the female Hormone estrogen in the body) has been used as a herbal breast enlargement ingredient.
• Its flowers have been used as a remedy for cramps, swellings and hardness of the uterus, and Menstrual difficulties for over 2500 years, especially by the greeks and romans.
• It may help relieve some of the symptoms of hormonal changes which occur due to Menopause, due to its estrogen like properties.
Foods & Women Health
